As the Hawks returned to form Friday night, for three quarters at least, they had a new driver and with Dennis Schroder starting at point guard they looked more like the No. 1 playoff seed from the East than in weeks.
Upon dominating the remains of the Heat, 99-86, Atlanta clinched that top spot and head coach Mike Budenholzer watched with pleasure as the second-year pro sent up a flare that read, “All is not lost if Jeff Teague is not there.”
Schroder’s 12 points were not spectacular, but in combination with his career-high 11 assists against just two turnovers in 32:34, confidence was gained through his fourth double-double of the season.
Teague, an All-Star, missed the game with a sprained left ankle.
Without him, the Hawks moved to 8-0 with Schroder starting.
“I think his consistency as a backup and his consistency as a backup player has been something that I think has been a real benefit to us,” Budenholzer said. “And when he’s stepped into the starting position, he’s kind of been steady and obviously he’s gotten better numbers.”
Schroder’s averaging 13.8 points and 7.9 assists starting, and 9.4 and 4.5 as a sub (who sometimes plays alongside Teague). He scored a career-high 24 in his last start, March 15 against the Lakers, and scored 22 in a starting role Dec. 22 in Dallas. Three times as a starter, he’s banked a previous career-high 10 assists.
Don’t look for braggadocio off the court, although Schroder is, uh, vocal while on it.
“When somebody is missing, everybody steps up,” he said. “That is what is great about the Hawks.”
Look beyond the fact Schroder missed 7-of-10 shots against Miami. He’s shooting 43.2 percent as a starter and 42 percent as a sub.
He kept driving Friday, earning and making six free throws. His primary opponent, meanwhile, struggled. Miami point guard Goran Dragic scored six points on 3-of-11 shooting with three assists and three turnovers.
The Hawks believe they are equipped past their usual starters to do postseason damage, and Dennis is a reason.
“I didn’t make my shots tonight, but I was able to get to the line and pass it to my teammates when they were open. They knocked down shots,” he said. “It was a great game.”
Schroder wasted no time getting busy.
He rebounded the Heat’s first missed shot, and soon scored the game’s first points on a seven-foot floater. Then, he assisted on DeMarre Carroll’s 3-pointer for a 5-0 Atlanta lead, rebounded at the other end to start a possession that ended with Carroll’s lay-up for a 7-0 edge.
Atlanta never trailed, and Schroder kept winding up in the middle of everything while helping the Hawks put up numbers.
“Sometimes, it’s just a matter of getting more minutes,” Budenholzer said. “His play has been high level for the majority of the season, and it’s great to see him step in and not try to do too much, and just play the same way.
“We’re very fortunate to have somebody who can step in and play the way he has when he’s started.”
About the Author
