Devin Harris started a third straight game at point guard Sunday against the Nets. According to coach Larry Drew the decision is based on Harris’ recent play and the condition of Jeff Teague’s sprained left ankle.
Harris averaged 16 points, 6 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals in the previous two games, victories over the Lakers and Suns. Harris started against the Lakers as Teague missed the first game of his pro career due to injury.
“He really starts the game with a lot of energy, which I really like,” Drew said. “He really pushes it and attacks the rim. So, we are going to stay with it for right now. I’m not saying it’s going to be permanent but for right now we are going to stay with it.”
Teague update: Drew said he plans to bring Teague along slowly. He played 23 minutes against the Suns and following the game said he was "scared" each time he landed.
“I didn’t want to pound him too much,” Drew said. “The last thing we want is a setback. … . His game is predicated on speed and quickness. When he has turned his ankle it has been when he’s going 90 miles an hour and when he plants and gets a bump, it rolls. I’m sure he is a little cautious about it and it’s in his head.”
Going small: The Hawks started Al Horford at center against the Nets' seven-footer Brook Lopez. In three previous games against the Nets, Drew tried to match size by starting Zaza Pachulia twice and Johan Petro once.
“We’ve gone big on this team three times so let’s give it a different look,” said Drew, whose team lost the previous two games against the Nets.
Lopez has scored 60 points in the three meetings.
“I’ve played Lopez in the past,” Horford said. “I’ve had success against him. They have felt that we should go bigger on him but I don’t have a problem if I have to play him.”
The Hawks have used 24 different starting lineups. With the same lineup they used against the Suns, the Hawks snapped a streak of 10 straight games with a different starting five.
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