Mike Muscala played at the Target Center before — but this time will be different. Much different.
The Hawks’ rookie center grew up in Roseville, Minn., a suburb of the Twin Cities and about a 15-minute drive from the Timberwolves’ arena. He said he remembers playing at the Target Center as a seventh grader. He returned to the court as an NBA player Wednesday.
“It’s actually not as hard as I thought, but it’s not game-time yet,” Muscala said Wednesday morning. “For me, I’m trying to treat it as any other game. There are going to be so many people here, it’s not just going to be my friends and family here. I played against the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers (in Minneapolis) my junior year (at Bucknell). I learned a lesson from that, to treat it like any other game. I was pretty hyped up for that one.”
Muscala said he grew up a fan of the Timberwolves and watched Kevin Garnett and Wally Szczerbiak, his favorite player, at the arena several times a season. He expected about 50 family and friends to be in attendance Wednesday. Some he helped with tickets; some secured their own.
“We were joking about how many tickets he needed,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “I’m not sure he knew he could ask (other players) for tickets.”
Muscala said several players gave him their tickets to help ease the load.
Muscala has appeared in nine games with the Hawks since the team bought out the contract of their second-round draft pick from his Spanish League team in March. He has played 82 minutes, with 17 points, 19 rebounds and five blocks.
Budenholzer said he has been encouraged by the early play of the young center.
“On the court, he is somebody we are excited about that I think is going to grow and improve,” Budenholzer said. “It starts with … how hard he plays. He goes hard on both ends. His length really affects the game on the defensive end. Him going to the boards, especially the offensive boards, he can have a big impact on the game. He is versatile for a young guy. He can step out and make jumpers. He can score around the basket.”
Scott starts: With the Hawks on a three-game losing streak and without starting shooting guard Kyle Korver, Budenholzer changed his starting lineup Wednesday.
Mike Scott made his fourth start of the season. He played small forward while DeMarre Carroll moved to shooting guard. The change gave the Hawks some added height.
“Constantly trying to find groups and looking at different things, so we are going to give him a shot,” was all Budenholzer said about starting Scott.
Shelvin Mack started at shooting guard the past three games.
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