The Hawks continue to cling to the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference despite winning three times in the past 17 games. Entering their game against the Nuggets on Saturday, the Hawks held a three-game lead over the Knicks for the final playoff berth, with 19 games remaining in the regular season. The Knicks have won six consecutive.
The Bobcats, Monday’s opponent, are seventh in the conference, with a 2 1/2-game lead over the Hawks.
Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer continues to keep the focus on the next game and the next opponent.
“We’ve just been talking about getting better defensively,” Budenholzer said. “If we get better defensively this last quarter, then we will feel better about the direction we are headed.”
Following Saturday’s game the Hawks have 18 games remaining, 11 at home.
Brand, a vocal leader: Elton Brand is one of the Hawks' leaders on defense by being vocal. The contribution has not gone unnoticed.
“I think defensively, and in general, the system is not that complicated,” Budenholzer said. “I would especially say defensively we have some fundamental principles. He has played for a lot of great coaches, and (their systems) are maybe not that different. He has taken it upon himself to get them down quickly and communicate them.
“Some guys, even if they’ve been in a system for five years, tend not to talk. They are just quiet by nature. He is a leader and a communicator by nature.”
Williams back: Lou Williams returned to the Hawks after missing three days, including Thursday's win over the Bucks, because of the birth of his daughter.
Williams was available for Saturday’s game against the Nuggets, although he had not played in the three previous games before Thursday.
Etc.: The Hawks have made 10 or more 3-pointers in a game 29 times this season, including the win over the Bucks. They are now two over the previous franchise record of 27 set last season. … Jeff Teague has 15 career games in which he reached 20 points and 10 assists, seventh on the Hawks' all-time list. He is three behind sixth-place Joe Johnson and nine behind the leader, Mookie Blaylock.
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