Mike Scott is part of the solution.
The Hawks are using the forward to counter the Celtics’ small lineups that have been effective to varying degrees during their playoff series. Scott had his biggest impact with a game-high 17 points in the Hawks’ 110-83 win in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first-round series Tuesday in Atlanta.
The Hawks lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 and can eliminate the Celtics in Game 6 on Thursday in Boston. If necessary, Game 7 would be Saturday night in Atlanta.
“He obviously creates space for us whether he is playing with Al (Horford) or Paul (Millsap) and maybe creates a little more space and opportunity for Paul,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said Wednesday. “The way they play offensively, their bigs are more perimeter-oriented and spaced. I think he and Paul together defensively can be good for us, and offensively they both create space and with those random opportunities that we have. We like it.”
Scott was the Hawks’ first sub — and first big — off the bench in Games 4 and 5 as he substituted for Horford. He was the first big off the bench in the second half of Games 1, 2 and 3 after Mike Muscala subbed for Horford in the first half.
The Hawks have elected to use Scott off the bench rather than Kris Humphries. A late-season addition, Humphries did not play at all in the first four games. He made his series debut in the fourth quarter as the Hawks were up by 29 points.
In Game 5, Scott scored his 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range. He also had five rebounds in 21:40, his longest stint of playing time in the series.
The Celtics at times tried to guard Scott with guard Marcus Smart, and Scott knew he had a mismatch.
“It just goes back to being aggressive,” Scott told reporters Tuesday night. “My teammates always tell me if I ever get a mismatch, score. Do what you do. I just have to be able to do that. Sometimes, I don’t. I’m not aggressive. So tonight, I just saw red.”
For the series, Scott is averaging 9.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in 19:36. In 75 regular-season games, he averaged 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds in 15.3 minutes.
The combination of Millsap at center and Scott at power forward is not new. Budenholzer started experimenting with the pairing two seasons ago when Horford’s season was cut short after 29 games because of a torn pectoral muscle.
“It’s something we’ve used sporadically, but we’ll definitely put it out there,” Budenholzer said.
The Celtics have had success in the series after they adjusted their lineup and strategy. Evan Turner was inserted into the starting lineup after Smart replaced the injured Avery Bradley. The Celtics also started Jonas Jerebko in place of Jared Sullinger. In addition, the Celtics used star point guard Isaiah Thomas in more off-ball situations. He responded with 42 and 28 points, respectively, in the Celtics’ two wins in Boston.
The Hawks also adjusted — in part with more of a role for Scott.
“Going on a couple of games now, I think we’ve found a comfort or felt like the best way to go,” Budenholzer said of using a smaller lineup. “I think we need to buy some minutes with Mike Muscala and Tim Hardaway (Jr.). They may not get extended runs but maybe just putting them out there a little different time, a little different spot, and using Mike Scott and Paul Millsap we feel has been good for us.”
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