Anthony Tolliver called it.
Not a game-winning shot but a game-winning rebound.
Tolliver’s rebound of a missed free throw by teammate Dahntay Jones with 22.4 seconds remaining preserved the Hawks’ 104-99 come-from-behind victory over the Bucks Sunday afternoon.
With a one-point lead, 100-99 after Jones’ first free throw, Tolliver looked at Jeff Teague and told his teammate a missed shot would be all his.
“Yeah, I told him right before it happened, ‘I am going to get this rebound,’” Tolliver said. “I just tried to analyze the situation. I knew he has missed a few free throws earlier so I just wanted to be aggressive toward the rebound. I saw an opportunity. They didn’t box me out and I jumped and it came to me.”
Tolliver called timeout after gathering the loose ball forcing the Bucks to foul. Al Horford and Teague each made two free throws in the closing seconds for the final margin.
The rebound may not have been the biggest play of the game by Tolliver. He set up Jones’ free throws with a steal seconds earlier. With the game tied at 99-99 after the Hawks erased a five-point deficit with 2:45 remaining and a Bradley Center crowd cheering wildly, Tolliver tipped a pass intended for J.J. Redick that Jones gathered before being fouled.
“I was face guarding, being up, on J.J. Redick,” Tolliver said. “They had a little bit of a miscommunication. He came flying up and I was right there with him and as soon as I turned they threw it. I just tipped it and tried to get a hand on it.”
The Hawks’ magic number to clinch a sixth straight playoff berth is now two. They remain fifth in the Eastern Conference as they continue to chase home-court advantage in the playoffs with 12 games remaining.
The Hawks (39-31) have won all three games against the Bucks this season, including one at Philips Arena five days ago. The Hawks have won seven of the past eight games against the Bucks.
In a back-and-forth game that featured 23 lead changes and 15 ties, the Hawks took control early in the fourth quarter with a 9-1 run. They built the 85-79 lead with Shelvin Mack, Johan Petro, Tolliver, Jones and Horford on the floor.
Yet moments later it looked grim for the Hawks after a 16-3 Bucks run. Monta Ellis scored 11 straight points, including three 3-pointers in a row.
The Hawks countered with two baskets and a free throw from Josh Smith and a basket by Horford. Smith’s layup with 33.8 seconds remaining tied the game at 99-99 and set up Tolliver’s heroics.
“It was just not to panic,” coach Larry Drew said of his late strategy. “We are on the road and we have to learn how to carry a road mentality. Being down by five, if we come out and execute we feel like we can overcome that deficit. If we defend we feel like we can overcome that deficit. The message is just not to panic.”
The Hawks did switch between Kyle Korver on offense and Jones on defense in the final run.
Horford finished with a game-high 24 points. Smith added 23 points. Devin Harris, who left with a left foot injury, scored 16 points and Teague overcame a slow start with 14 points. Teague was 1 of 7 with two points and five turnovers by the third quarter. He finished by making 4 of his last 6 shots with no turnovers.
The Bucks (34-35) lost their third straight game as they cling to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Ellis finished with 20 points and Ersan Ilyasova had 19 points before fouling out.
The Hawks continue a four-game road trip at the Pacers Monday.
About the Author
