Five observations from the Hawks’ 106-95 victory over the Kings Monday night at Philips Arena.
1. Thirty-seven. Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer wrote just that number on his dry erase board before the start of the fourth quarter. It represented the unacceptable points allowed to the Kings in the third quarter.
“I don’t think any of us felt great after a 37-point third quarter,” Budenholzer said. “So we talked about what we had just done and we had to change that. If we could change that, it would give us a chance. That was the talking point, the 37 (points) in the third quarter.”
The Hawks responded by allowing the Kings just 14 points in the decisive fourth quarter. The Kings shot 6 of 18 from the field and had six turnovers.
“Third quarter, we didn’t keep our composure. Fourth quarter, we did,” Paul Millsap said. “It’s difficult. That team wants to make the game ugly. If you get caught up into that, they have a 37-point third quarter. We got caught up into it. Fourth quarter, we finally settled down and kept our heads.”
2. Winning plays. Budenholzer preaches that there a few plays over the course of the game that are difference-makers. Thabo Sefolosha was in the middle of another Hawks' fourth-quarter effort. He had a chase-down steal from Rudy Gay in the fourth quarter that Budenholzer and teammates called the difference.
“When I’m on the court, I try to do whatever it takes to help the team win,” Sefolosha said. “That’s what was needed at that point. I just ran back and he showed me the ball and I was able to put my hand on it. It was down the stretch and I knew we needed a stop.”
Sefolosha with four points, four steals, six rebounds and was a plus-20.
“I think we are capable of playing defense like that,” Kyle Korver said. “We have a lot of great individual defenders on this team. We have a great team concept. As long as we stay within that we have the potential to be a great defensive team. I think Thabo, just to highlight somebody, has been in the middle of all those great defensive quarters. His defensive has been amazing. That come-from-behind steal on Rudy Gay, that was a huge play. That was a huge play in the game. Coach always says there are winning plays in a game and that was a winning play. It just seems like he’s been a part of a lot of those. He’s playing at a really high level.”
3. Stingy in the fourth quarter are these Hawks. For the second straight game, the Hawks allowed just 14 points in the final period. In three fourth quarters this season, the Hawks have outscored the opposition by a combined 90-47. The Hawks needed the final push after losing several double-digit leads.
“I liked our response to their run,” Budenholzer said. “They made a great run, they had a heck of an effort and took the lead. We were able to withstand that and found a way down the stretch.”
4. Fouls, fouls and more fouls. The game featured 54 personal fouls, including 34 on the Kings. The Kings were called for 10 personal fouls in the first quarter and 19 in the first half. The number of whistles prompted Kings coach Dave Joerger to express his concern to the officials. "My man (official scorer) is running out of lead over here," he said in the first quarter. The Hawks went to the free-throw line 25 times through two quarters. However, they made just 12. Dwight Howard was 3 of 12, including misses both attempts on three straight trips to the line.
5. Dennis Schroder and DeMarcus Cousins went at it again. The rivalry started in Schroder's rookie season when he was suspended for one game after a low blow while trying to get around a screen. Schroder hit Cousins with a flick of his wrist after the two were being separated after a foul call. Cousins took exception. Schroder said Cousins hit him first. After the game, Cousins gave Schroder a shove as the players were leaving the court.
“We are just competing,” Schroder said. “He is competing his (butt) off. I’m doing the same thing. We are trying to win games. It’s just basketball. … He is doing it always. I just have to play through it and don’t try to react but it’s tough when you are competing out there and trying to win.”
