Saturday was not the first time that Jeff Teague and Dennis Schroder shared court time, but you might say that in their combined 12:49 together Saturday, the Hawks cemented their 19-game winning streak.
Atlanta outscored Philadelphia 19-11 with their top two point guards sharing the court, and the game turned for good in the last of those four situations. Schroder’s 3-pointer with 1:35 left was good for an 86-83 lead.
Head coach Mike Budenholzer grumped about the Hawks’ pick-and-rolls operating at below peak efficiency even with their two best P&R players on the floor together.
There is more than one way to look at things. Atlanta was +8 with Teague and Schroder on court together, and -2 otherwise. Plus, Schroder hit the money shot with Teague was on the court.
“Dennis just keeps on getting better,” guard/forward Kyle Korver said. “He’s grown so much in the last year.”
Schroder and Teague were on the floor with Korver, who moved from shooting guard to small forward, Al Horford and Paul Millsap as the Hawks overcame an 83-81 deficit late in the game.
Schroder subbed in for first-time starting small forward Kent Bazemore at the 3:54 mark, sliding Korver into Bazemore’s spot, and Teague to off guard.
“It gives us someone who is more comfortable playing in a pick-and-roll situation,” Budenholzer said. “I think hopefully, we should operate pretty efficiently.”
Budenholzer juggled rotations because injuries shelved his top two small forwards, DeMarre Carroll and Thabo Sefolosha.
Add the fact that backup shooting guard Shelvin Mack was out, and the Hawks rolled out unusual lineups.
Bazemore struggled offensively to three points on 1-of-6 shooting. John Jenkins also saw his most meaningful time (20:58), scoring nine points on 4-of-5 shooting in Korver/Mack’s usual position.
Teague doesn’t mind playing off the ball.
“I can get out on the break, run the lanes. It’s easier for me when other guys can penetrate and make plays,” he said after scoring 10 points with seven assists. “I like it at the defensive end because it allows me to get in passing lanes a little more.”
Moments after Schroder subbed in for Bazemore with 3:54 left, the 76ers tied the game and then took an 83-81 lead on a Nerlens Noel Dunk with 2:52 to go.
An Al Horford jumper off a Schroder assist and that 3-pointer by Schroder put the Hawks up the last time as part of an 8-2 spurt. Teague next assisted on a Horford jumper for an 88-83 lead.
“I feel like it’s great when I play with Jeff. I think it’s very hard to guard us when we can push the pace,” Schroder said after scoring 15 points with six assists. “Either of us can push the ball.”
