Five observations from the Hawks’ 111-92 victory over the Magic Wednesday night.
1. Always listen to mom. Kent Bazemore, who has been in a shooting slump much of the season, wore a black headband. The advice came in a message from his mother.
“My mom texted me and said YMCA days,” Bazemore said. “I used to wear a headband way back in the day. I thought I’d switch it up. And I need a haircut.”
It worked.
Bazemore finished with 17 points. He was 6 of 9 from the floor, including makes on all three 3-point attempts.
2. The Hawks had a balanced all-around offensive game. They placed six players in double-figure scoring with none more the 18 points. They had 27 assists on their 44 field goals. They shot 54.3 percent from the field (44 of 81) and 52.6 percent from 3-point range (10 of 19). The starters were a combined 28 of 52.
“I thought the ball was moving,” coach Mike Budenholzer said. “In pick-and-rolls we were making that first quick pass and that quick decision. Guys were playing really unselfishly.”
The Hawks shot better than 60 percent for much of the first half.
“Ball movement is crucial for us,” Paul Millsap said. “That’s when we are at our best. Getting everybody involved and everybody is able to get in a rhythm.”
3. Make no mistake. The Hawks remembered the 131 points the Magic put on them in Atlanta last month.
“For sure, we were a little (ticked) off,” Dennis Schroder said.
In that 11-point win, the Magic were 15 of 34 from 3-point range. Serge Ibaka and Jodie Meeks had four each and Elfrid Payton had three. On Wednesday, the Magic were 9 of 28 from long range. They were 3 of 11 in the first half as the Hawks built a lead they would not relinquish.
“Coach said from the beginning there is no way they are going to get 130 again,” Schroder said. “They hit tough shots in Atlanta. From here, from the start of the game to the end of the game, we put pressure on them.”
4. The Hawks made 11 of 20 shots in the first quarter and the Magic missed their first five shots. Still the Magic led 26-23 after the period. The issue? Turnovers. Again. The Hawks had seven turnovers in the quarter. They would have seven the rest of the game, including only four in the second half.
Take care of the ball and it does wonders for the Hawks offense.
5. The Hawks have played much better defense of late, especially during the four-game win streak. Schroder said the Hawks veterans, including Millsap, went to Budenholzer about returning to a more aggressive push defense.
Budenholzer listened.
“We changed a little bit on defense,” Schroder said. “We are pushing again like we did the last three years and it was successful. Coach told us what we can change. And we were talking to him a little bit. From now on, everything is aggressive. Coach listened to Paul and other veterans. I think that’s what great coaches do, listen to their players.
The scheme is more aggressive.
“I think we caused them problems by getting up in them and not let them get comfortable with what they want to do,” Millsap said.
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