Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer indicated that Thabo Sefolosha likely would remain in the starting lineup for Sunday’s Game 4 against the Cavaliers.
Sefolosha was inserted into the lineup in place of Kyle Korver for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series on Friday night. Sefolosha was tasked with trying to slow Cavaliers star LeBron James defensively. He finished a minus-1. He also chipped in with eight points, including two 3-pointers, four rebounds, two assists and a steal in his 29 minutes of the Hawks’ 121-108 loss.
Korver came off the bench and finished with 18 points, including five 3-pointers, with three rebounds and a blocked shot in 32 minutes. He finished a minus-2.
In a conference call Saturday, Budenholzer was asked if Sefolosha would remain with the starting unit as the Hawks try to stave off elimination.
“I think just the energy and good play that Thabo started the game with and the energy and good play that Kyle brought off the bench, I think we felt like that was a positive and something that we will consider between now and tomorrow,” Budenholzer said. “But I think overall that was, in our eyes, something that was a positive.”
Korver had started all 335 games (regular and postseason) since joining the Hawks in 2012 before the move Friday. A focus of the Cavaliers defense in the series, Korver had a total of 10 points, and one 3-pointer, in the first two games. Korver said he was told of the move before practice on Thursday.
“Bud thought he wanted to get Thabo on LeBron,” Korver told reporters after the game. “Thought that gave us our best chance. It’s all about the Hawks and trying to get a win.”
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