TEAGUE MOVING UP
A look at where Jeff Teague ranks in two Hawks’ all-time lists:
20-point, 10-assist games
1. Mookie Blaylock 24
2. Pete Maravich 22
2. Jason Terry 22
4. Eddie Johnson 21
4. Lenny Wilkens 21
6. Jeff Teague 18
6. Joe Johnson 18
Point-assist double-doubles
1. Doc Rivers 112
2. Mookie Blaylock 109
3. Lenny Wilkens 43
4. Jason Terry 41
4. Eddie Johnson 41
6. Jeff Teague 34
Jeff Teague doesn’t like to talk about his individual accomplishments.
However, his body of work is speaking volumes for the Hawks point guard.
Teague had 24 points and 12 assists in a loss to the Raptors on Wednesday. That tied him with Joe Johnson, with 18, for sixth on the Hawks’ all-time list of players with at least 20 points and 10 assists in a game. He trails only franchise luminaries Mookie Blaylock (24), Pete Maravich (22), Jason Terry (22), Eddie Johnson (21) and Lenny Wilkens (21).
That’s not bad company.
Johnson, who went to six consecutive All-Star games in his seven seasons as a Hawks shooting guard, needed 508 games to accomplish the feat. Teague has done so in 379 games over his five-plus seasons.
Teague also is climbing the franchise record book in career point-assist double-doubles. After Wednesday’s game he has 34 and trails only Doc Rivers (112), Blaylock (109), Wilkens (43), Terry (41) and Johnson (41).
In the Hawks’ past four games, Teague averaged 25.8 points and 6.0 assists. He is shooting 51.6 percent (32 of 62) from the field, 55.6 percent from 3-point range (5 of 9) and 94.4 percent from the free-throw line (34 of 36). He has scored at least 23 points in each game and had a season-high 28 points in a win at the Wizards on Tuesday.
“I’m just trying to be aggressive,” the understated Teague said of his performances.
Teague is the Hawks’ leading scorer at 18.3 points per game, 1.4 points better than second-place Paul Millsap. His total ranks 32nd in the NBA. Teague also averages 7.0 assists per game, tied for eighth in the league.
“Obviously, when he plays well it makes a big difference,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “We can have different guys step up at the end of games. I don’t think it’s necessarily on Jeff’s shoulders. We are going to do things collectively, play pick-and-roll like a lot of the league does. Pick-and-roll puts people in a tough bind.”
Teague has taken advantage of those pick-and-roll situations and his speed to get to the basket, often in the fourth quarter. This season, 46 of his 78 field goals have been at the rim and 56 have been in the paint.
Teague also has averaged 2.2 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 0.5 blocks and 3.2 turnovers in 32 minutes, 42 seconds per game. He had a stretch this season where he made 27 consecutive free throws.
Teague has scored at least 20 points in eight of the Hawks’ 13 games this season, with two double-double efforts. He has scored in double figures in 10 games.
It’s clear that the Hawks depend on Teague. His point average has increased in each of his first five seasons in the league. He burst onto the national scene in the playoff last season, when he averaged 19.3 points and 5.0 assists in the seven-game first-round series against the Pacers. He has picked up right where he left off.
The Hawks lead the NBA with 27.2 fourth-quarter points this season. Teague has scored 31 on his 103 points over the past four games in the final period as the Hawks have gone 2-2.
“Jeff has been able to take advantage of some opportunities, and we’ll continue to do what it’s best for the group,” Budenholzer said. “Some nights it will be Jeff.”
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