Hawks’ progress will be measured by game against Heat

104.7 (7th)/Scoring/106.1 (5th)

.447 (4th)/FG percentage/.525 (1st)

39.1 (8th)/FG made/38.9 (10th)

.358 (13th)/3FG percentage/.438 (2nd)

1.28 (5th)/Points per shot/1.43 (1st)

100.3 (T-19th)/Points allowed/98.6 (11th)

41.0 (23rd)/Rebounds/34.9 (30th)

26.3 (2nd)/Assists/26.0 (3rd)

Whether they all say so or not, the Hawks matchup with the Heat Tuesday will be a chance to see just where the team stands as it moves forward with a new coach, system and roster.

Call it an early season measuring stick. Playing the two-time defending NBA champion may be like holding a sealed envelope up to the light. Some information – good or bad – is bound to peek through.

“You always measure yourself against the best and see where you are at,” Kyle Korver said. “They are the best. We are going to have to play well. We feel like we’ve made some strides. We played them our first preseason game so we can see where we’ve come from then. It’s been a lot of games. You always measure yourself up against the best. Definitely.”

The Hawks (6-4) have lost seven straight games to the Heat (7-3). They lost all four games last season and have not beaten the Heat since Jan. 2, 2012. The Hawks have had rosters that featured nine new players last season and eight new players this season. The Heat simply change a few of the parts surrounding their big three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

“No, not really,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said when asked if the game could be regarded as a measuring stick. “I think playing good teams throughout the league are opportunities to measure yourself. Every night we are hoping that we are making progress. Some teams push you and press you greater than others but every night is a measuring stick.”

Through 10 games, the Hawks and Heat have similar offensive stats. Each team has scored at least 100 points in nine of their 10 games. The Heat are fifth in the league in scoring at 106.1 points per game. The Hawks are seventh at 104.7.

The Hawks have scored 113 and 110 points in their past two games, marking the first time since Nov. 5-7, 2010 they have scored 110 or more points in back-to-back games.

James, named Eastern Conference Player of the Week Monday, is second in the NBA in scoring at 27.3 points per game. He is the only Heat player in the top 30 in the league. The Hawks have two players in Jeff Teague (26th at 19.4) and Al Horford (30th at 18.7). Add Wade (40th at 16.7) and Bosh and the Hawks’ Paul Millsap (38th at 15.8) and both teams have three players in the top 50 in scoring.

The Heat excel in their transition offense. They led the NBA in field goal percentage and points per shot and are second in 3-point field goal percentage. When they are pushing the basketball, they present problems. Defending teams in transition has been an issue for the Hawks.

“Defense always has to be the constant and it’s the most important thing,” Horford said. “But in this particular game, yes, we have to defend well if we will have any chance of beating the Heat.

“Their transition offense, LeBron (James), (Dwyane) Wade, (Mario) Chalmers they all bring (the ball) up. It’s going to be important for us to get back on defense. They present more problems (in transition than other teams). They push the ball pretty well and they have some 3-point shooters all around LeBron so we are aware of that and we have to do a good job.”

Notes: While James won the Player of the Week award, Teague was a nominee for the award in the East. … Elton Brand played 12 minutes in Friday's win over the 76ers but did not play in Saturday's win over the Knicks. Budenholzer said the 14-year veteran center is not under any playing time constraints. … Following Tuesday's game at the Heat, the Hawks host the Pistons Wednesday. It will be the first appearance of long-time Hawk and local product Josh Smith at Philips Arena as a visitor.