The Pistons got a lesson – and Kyle Korver was the teacher.
Korver scored a season-high 22 points in helping the Hawks to a 105-98 victory over the Pistons Friday night at Philips Arena. The shooting guard, recently replaced by Thabo Sefolosha in the Hawks starting lineup, presented a problem that Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy was well aware before the game. The Pistons have used Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to guard Korver in the past, a task more difficult with Korver now coming off the bench. Second-year forward Stanley Johnson drew much of the assignment.
“Korver was an education for him,” Van Gundy said of Johnson after the game. “He really was. He is for everybody. Pope had his moments tonight. He gave up a big 3 late. Kyle Korver hasn’t had as many good games this year but the guy really knows how to play basketball and how to move without the ball. He even got Pope a couple of times.
“I don’t mean that in a negative sense. I don’t mean that to be sarcastic on Stanley at all. He got an education tonight. We’ve never really put him on a guy like that. It’s different. You have to be really, really locked in. He was trying. There was no lack of effort anywhere but it just wasn’t there tonight. Korver has a few more years of experience than Stanley does and it showed.”
Korver was 7 of 13 from the field, including 3 of 8 from 3-point range. He scored 11 second-quarter points, all without a 3-pointer, as the Hawks took a lead they would not surrender for a second straight victory.
There should have been more points. At least in Korver’s mind.
Korver was asked following the game what made the difference as the Hawks avenged a 36-point home loss to the Pistons on Dec. 2. Dennis Schroder spoke up from a locker away. “Kyle Korver,” the point guard said.
“Kyle Korver left a lot of points out there, my goodness,” Korver said.
Korver hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to help stave off a Pistons late rally in a game the Hawks led by as many as 17 points. Paul Millsap led the Hawks with a game-high 26 points.
The Hawks replaced Korver in the starting lineup on Dec. 5 before a home game against the Thunder. The Hawks had lost nine of 10 games at that point. They would lose to the Thunder but have since won seven of the past 11. Korver did start two of those game when Dwight Howard missed time due to back tightness. He also missed one himself due to illness.
In nine games off the bench, Korver is averaging 12.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 27.3 minutes. In 21 games as a starter, is averaged 8.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 28.2 minutes.
Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said following the game that he has been pleased with the lineup adjusted in a limited sample size. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Howard missed games that required lineup and rotation adjustments in the past 10 games. With both back healthy, he hopes to see the full potential of the change.
