HOW HAWKS HAVE FARED VS. HEAT
A look at the Hawks eight-game losing streak to the Heat:
Date/Score/Margin
Jan. 5, 2012/116-109/-7
Feb. 12, 2012/107-87/-20
March 7, 2012/89-86/-3
Nov. 9, 2012/95-89/-6
Dec. 10, 2012/101-92/-9
Feb. 20, 2013/103-90/-13
March 12, 2013/98-81/-17
Nov. 19, 2013/104-88/-16
The “critical eye” of Hawks general manager Danny Ferry will have plenty to watch Monday night.
The Hawks make another trip to Miami to play the two-time defending champion Heat, who have won eight straight games in the series. It will be a second chance for coach Mike Budenholzer, his players and Ferry to measure where the organization stands in its rebuilding project against the NBA’s best.
The Heat’s average margin of victory during their recent dominance of the Hawks is a decisive 11 points, including a 16-point victory Nov. 19. The Hawks haven’t beaten the Heat since Jan. 2, 2012, five games into the lockout-shortened season.
When Budenholzer was hired in May, both coach and general manager said there would be times when they would disagree as they worked through the plan to improve the team. So, 27 games into the process, have there been many of those moments?
“I would say not a lot,” Budenholzer said. “He is pushing us and pushing me in a good way. He wants us to be better and he wants us to work on those areas that we need improvement. He’s got a critical eye.”
The Hawks (15-12) are a season-best three games over .500. They are third in the Eastern Conference behind the Pacers and Heat, still the only teams with winning records. There have been ups and downs but the most recent high note came in Friday’s 118-85 drubbing of the Jazz.
The Hawks are on a three-game winning streak, all at home, and they are averaging 118.7 points a game in the wins.
However, they have lost four straight on the road, their last away victory coming more than a month ago over the Pistons on Nov. 22.
Budenholzer has preached the need for his team to be more consistent, to play better for increasingly longer stretches of games. Ferry has said he believes the Hawks have left some wins on the table.
“Sometimes, I’m like, ‘Damn,’” Budenholzer said of his conversations with Ferry. “But he’s been really good for me and helpful. He pushes when I need to be pushed and supportive when I need to be supported. You don’t always know that is what you need.
“You may not agree at that particular moment but when you look back on it, you are like, ‘No, it’s good. We need to do another shell drill. We need to do another closeout drill. We need to be better defensively. We need to work on our spacing.’ It’s been good.”
Al Horford enters the game with impressive numbers in recent play. The center is averaging 23.6 points and 9.2 rebounds in the past five games. In 22 career games against the Heat, Horford is averaging 12 points and 8.8 rebounds in 31.8 minutes. He had 12 points and seven rebounds in the November loss. The Hawks committed 24 turnovers in that game with Horford responsible for a team-high seven.
Jeff Teague has not fared well against the Heat. The point guard is averaging 8.6 points and 4.2 assists in 23.5 minutes in 15 career games. He had nine points and seven assists in the November loss.
“It’s going to be a big challenge against Miami,” Horford said. “We need to play with this (increased) pace.”
The Hawks played without Paul Millsap and Lou Williams in the latest loss to the Heat, two key components who will be available Monday.
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