An adjustment to Mike Scott’s shot release played a big role in the Hawks’ 124-107 victory over the Kings Wednesday.
Scott made two corner 3-pointers to start the fourth quarter and ignite an 18-8 run that turned a close game into a rout. Scott hit a 3-pointer, on an assist from Shelvin Mack, 37 seconds into the final period to give the Hawks an 88-87 lead. He hit another 1:17 later, also assisted by Mack, for a 93-91 lead the Hawks would not relinquish.
Scott said following the game that he has been working with assistant coach Darvin Ham on his shot.
“I was finishing my follow-through off to the side instead of straight in,” Scott said. “I keep making a mental note every time I shoot. It’s been working on it so far so I will keep it up.”
How long has he been working on the adjustment?
“It just started a couple days ago,” Scott said.
Scott has shown an improved outside game in his second season. He has made 11 of 35 3-point attempts. Paul Millsap and Scott have added a valuable dimension to the Hawks offense by spreading the floor from the power forward position.
“Paul hit three (3-pointers) in the first half,” said Kyle Korver, who hit eight long-range baskets in the win. “Mike hits two in the second half. When you have a 4-man who is able to stretch the floor like that it creates so much more space for (point guard) Jeff (Teague) to operate, for (center) Al (Horford) to operate. If that (defender) can’t be in there to help, it creates a lot of space. It’s good basketball. Obviously, we are not all going to shoot the ball as well as (a team as) we did tonight but it plants a seed to the other team that we are capable of doing that.”
Scott is averaging 6.9 points and 2.8 rebounds in 13 minutes in his second season. He said the work on his outside shot is “still a work in progress.”
