Paul Millsap is selective about when he chooses to say something to his teammates. On Monday night, he spoke up.
The forward pulled teammates aside as the Heat were making a fourth-quarter run and threatening to steal a game the Hawks had led by as many as 12 points. His message was simple: Stay focused. The Hawks re-gained their lead en route to a 121-114 victory over the two-time defending world champions, snapping a nine-game losing streak to the Heat.
Millsap also pulled his teammates together early in the season when they were in jeopardy of losing a double-digit lead at the Kings.
“I’m a moody guy,” Millsap said before the Hawks departed for Wednesday’s game at the Magic. “I’m moody. At times I feel like it has to be done. At times I just let guys figure it out. Guys have to figure it out on their own. I don’t want my voice to get repetitive. I pick and choose (when to say something).”
Nunnally to re-sign: The Hawks will sign James Nunnally to a second 10-day contract Wednesday. The signing means the forward can play at least six more games with the team.
Nunnally’s first 10-day contract expired Tuesday. The second deal signed Wednesday means he will be available for games against the Magic, Spurs, Bucks, Thunder, Pistons and 76ers before the contract expires Feb. 1.
Nunnally was with the team for three games during his original 10-day contract. He made one appearance and scored five points in the loss to the Nets in London.
After the expiration of the second contract, the Hawks must sign Nunnally for the remainder of the season or cut ties with him. The Hawks would have 20 days and eight games before the Feb. 20 trade deadline for another roster move. The Hawks have been exploring possibilities to replace Al Horford, who was lost for the season with a torn right pectoral muscle.
Teague struggles: Jeff Teague has struggled to find his outside shot, and it's starting to cost him playing time. Teague did not play the final 17:46 of Monday's win over the Heat, which included the entire fourth quarter. Shelvin Mack received most of Teague's minutes, playing 10:33 of the final period.
“That whole group was playing well, so we stuck with that,” coach Mike Budenholzer said of his late-game rotation.
Teague finished with two points and six assists against the Heat. It marked the second time in the past nine games that Teague has not scored in double-digits. In those games, Teague shot 35.2 percent (44-of-125) from the field. Those numbers include 3-of-30 from 3-point range.
“He has to find a way to get some to go down, and I think that will pick up his confidence and his mojo up,” Budenholzer said. “He really shot it well last year. We know that he is a very, very good shooter. It’s just one of those dips, hopefully, and he’ll start making them.”
Purple shoes: Several NBA players, including members of the Hawks and Heat, wore purple shoes during Monday's Martin Luther King Jr. Day games.
Hawks guard said the shoes are to celebrate February’s Black History month, but they made an early debut.
“We decided to start (Monday) in honor of Dr. King,” Williams said. “You will be seeing some more of them in February.”
Fan voting concluded: Fan balloting for the NBA All-Star game concluded at 11:59 p.m. Monday. The All-Star starters, based on fan votes, will be announced Thursday on TNT. Al Horford, Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague were on the ballot, but were not among the top vote-getters in each of the three results that were previously announced.
The All-Star reserves, as selected by coaches, will be announced Jan. 30.
The All-Star game will be played in New Orleans on Feb. 16.
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