Having clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference on Friday, the Hawks gave their starting lineup the day off on Saturday.
The Hawks will play at the Hornets and rest Kyle Korver, DeMarre Carroll, Paul Millsap and Al Horford, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has learned. Jeff Teague was previously ruled out on the team’s injury report with an ankle injury.
The Hawks are playing a stretch of four games in five days starting with back-to-back games against the Heat and Hornets. Following a day off Sunday, the Hawks host the Bucks Monday and play at the Pistons Tuesday.
The Hawks have rested starters six times this season, all on the road, and are 5-1 in those games. The Hawks rested starters in games against the 76ers (Jan. 13 and March 7), Celtics (Jan. 14), Heat (Feb. 28), Lakers (March 15) and Kings (March 16).
Resting four players is not unprecedented in the NBA this season. On March 13, the Warriors sat Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Bogut and Andre Iguodala. The Warriors made the decision after not having consecutive days off from the All-Star break until March 25.
The Hornets are in a four-team race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics currently eighth with the Nets (1/2-game), Pacers (1 game) and Hornets (1-1/2 games) just behind.
The Hawks will start a lineup of Dennis Schroder, John Jenkins, Kent Bazemore, Mike Muscala and Elton Brand.
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