The Hawks tinkered with their starting lineup Tuesday in an effort to match up with the Heat’s Big Three.
The Hawks started Jeff Teague, DeShawn Stevenson, Josh Smith, Al Horford and Anthony Tolliver. Stevenson matched up on defense against Dwyane Wade; Smith guarded LeBron James, and Tolliver drew the assignment of center Chris Bosh.
“We haven’t used this lineup on them thus far this year,” coach Larry Drew said. “The one thing that I really want to stay away from is early foul trouble with Al. Starting him off against Bosh, there is potential for early foul trouble. At the same time I like the fact that we have three guys on the front line of similar size, and all three are very versatile. Hopefully, that will be good for us.”
Tolliver has been used in several defensive situations this season. However, Tuesday’s assignment was a first.
“He is an All-Star caliber player,” Tolliver said. “He’s tough. It’s an honor, really, for the coach to show the confidence in me to match up against a player of that caliber. I don’t change my attitude about it. You have to realize what he wants to do, what he’s done in the past, and try to do my best in keeping the ball out of his hands and making it tough for him.”
It is unlikely Stevenson will play Wednesday against the Lakers in the second of back-to-back games.
“Really, it’s a roll of the dice,” Drew said of his decision. “We could use him both nights. Why not tonight?”
Growing concern: Center Zaza Pachulia continues to seek additional medical opinions on his sore right Achilles. Pachulia got a second opinion Monday and will get a third opinion in the next day or two regarding what has become a serious concern.
Pachulia missed his fifth consecutive game Tuesday because of the ailment that has bothered him for the past month and a half.
See Lou tweet: Lou Williams, who is out the rest of the season after suffering a torn right ACL, will take over the Hawks' official Twitter account for Wednesday's home game against the Lakers. Fans can also send in questions for Williams using the hashtag #LouTakeover.
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