With Kyle Korver out for the remainder of the postseason with a severe high right ankle sprain, Kent Bazemore started in his place at shooting guard in Game 3 of the Eastern Conferece finals Sunday. Bazemore would also have responsibilities at small forward with DeMarre Carroll dealing with a left knee sprain.
“Just go out there and play,” Bazemore said Sunday morning. “On the road. Game 3. Backs against the wall. Just let it all hang out. Go out and play some hoops.”
Bazemore didn’t back off comments following loss in Game 2 that had the Hawks in a 2-0 deficit in the series. Bazemore said he believed the Hawks were still the better team despite the two losses.
“I believe,” Bazemore said. “I believe in our season. I’m a very optimistic person. I still think we haven’t played our best basketball so we’re going to try to come out and do that.”
Carroll still hurting
Carroll remained in the starting lineup with his injury. Carroll sprained his left knee in Game 1 but was able to play in Game 2. Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said Carroll was still experiencing soreness but would play.
Carroll will be an unrestricted free agent following the season and figures to get a big pay day with this play the second half of the season. He said he ignored suggestions from friends that he not jeopardize his future by playing injured.
“I’m standing here,” Carroll said. “I put myself out there to help my team, whatever it takes. I know my knee is nowhere near 100 (percent). But at the end of the day if I’m out there I’m going to give it my all and hopefully my team has my back.
“I’ve been getting a million calls and emails about me, why am I there, this might be the biggest contract of my life. But at the end of the day this game isn’t promised to you. So whenever you’ve got an opportunity to play basketball, a lot of people say it’s bigger than money and it feels like that to me. I cherish this game and I want to be out there fighting, and if I have to fight on one leg, I’m gonna fight on one leg. I can’t let this opportunity pass me by - Eastern Conference finals, playing against LeBron James. I don’t care if I have to do it on one leg, I’ll hobble out there.”
Sefolosha on trip
Thabo Sefolosha, out for the season following surgery for a fractured right fibula, joined the Hawks in Cleveland for Games 3 and 4. Sefolosha is out of a cast and in a walking boot. He said he still can’t put weight on his foot.
Sefolosha said the rehabilitation process is slowly progressing. He is only doing light range of motion exercises at this point.
Daye active
With Korver and Sefolosha out, Austin Daye was active for the first time this postseason. The late-season addition appeared in 34 regular-season games with the Hawks and Spurs.
Popovich in Cleveland
Budenholzer reluctantly admitted that Spurs coach and mentor Gregg Popovich was in town for the Eastern Conference finals.
“His words of wisdom are best kept between he and I,” Budenholzer said. “Lots of time they are very simplistic and very helpful. He’s been a good friend and a good resource for not just me but a lot of people who worked for him. I’ll just leave it at that.”
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