There was talk and the Hawks heard it.
The team’s 16-7 record, including wins in nine of 10 games, came against mostly inferior competition. Only one opponent in a nine-game win streak is currently above .500.
But then came a five-game stretch against quality opponents that began last week. It promised to reveal much about the team. Three games into the run, the Hawks have answered those who questioned.
The Hawks defeated the Bulls, 93-86, on Monday. They dismantled the Cavaliers on their home court, 127-98, on Wednesday. Then they became the first of 20 Eastern Conference opponents to defeat the Rockets on their home court, 104-97, on Saturday.
Three wins, each more impressive than the last. The last two came with starting point guard and leading scorer Jeff Teague on the sideline with a hamstring injury. The combined record of those three teams when they faced the Hawks: 48-23.
Now, the Hawks stand at 19-7. They have won 12 of 13 and 14 of 16 games. Entering Sunday’s schedule, they were second in the Southeast Division and third in the Eastern Conference. They trailed only the Wizards by a half-game and the Raptors by 1 1/2 games. Next up, the Hawks are at the Mavericks (20-8) on Monday and at home versus the Clippers (19-8) on Tuesday. The challenges continue.
Don’t call the past three games statement victories. These Hawks aren’t thinking that way.
“On to the next one,” Shelvin Mack said after defeating the Cavaliers. “It’s a long season. Statement games are in the playoffs when you are able to go to the next round. …
“We can’t control what other people say. Just make sure that when April, May and June come around, we are playing. Then you get everyone’s attention.”
An improved bench is one of the reasons the Hawks have been successful this season.
Dennis Schroder and Mack stepped in against the Cavaliers without Teague. Schroder started and had a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds). Mack scored a career-high 24 points. Quality defense has been provided by free-agent acquisitions Thabo Sefolosha and Kent Bazemore. Mike Scott has continued to show he can score.
The Hawks made the playoffs last season with a 38-44 record and pushed the top-seeded Pacers to seven games in a first-round series. But consider the results a year ago when the Hawks were without their starters:
- Teague missed three games with an ankle sprain. The Hawks went 1-2.
- Paul Millsap missed eight games with injuries to his elbow and knee. The Hawks went 2-6.
- DeMarre Carroll missed nine games with ailments including a thumb and hamstring injuries. The Hawks went 1-8.
- Kyle Korver missed 11 games with injuries to his ribs and back. The Hawks went 1-10.
- Al Horford missed the final 53 games of the season after tearing his right pectoral muscle. The Hawks went 22-31.
This season, starters have missed a total of six games: four by Carroll and two by Teague with hamstring injuries. The Hawks are 4-2 in those games.
“Every guy on this roster can fill it up,” Bazemore said. “Every guy can play. When you get your opportunity, you have to make the best of it. There is no pressure. Any time you come out and the guy in front of you or behind you is playing well, you cheer him on and pick up where he left off.
“That is one thing that is going to help us. These wins that we’ve been having of late, these are the ones when your bench helps you. Look at the Spurs all last year. When Manu (Ginoboli), Tony Parker and Tim Duncan sit out, they are still getting wins. That is one thing that will take you from finishing eighth to finishing sixth, to finishing fourth, to finishing top three, having that depth.”
A bench player hast twice led the team in scoring, twice led in rebounds and seven times led in assists.
“We are coming together as a team,” Mack said. “We understand on the second unit that it’s all about keeping the lead and playing together. We put out a good effort and we are on the court longer. Everybody wants to play. Any given night it could be anyone. Mike has had numerous nights. Dennis has some good nights. It’s all about the group.”
The group is on a roll.
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