Game Thread: Heat @ Hawks 12/18
Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2017 1:49 pm
Hot Hot HoopsProbable Starters:
HEAT: Goran Dragic, Dion Waiters, Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow, Kelly Olynyk
HAWKS: Dennis Schroder, Kent Bazemore, Taurean Prince, Ersan Ilyasova, Miles Plumlee
Scouting Report
Atlanta is 2-8, and Miami 5-5 in their last 10 games. The Hawks are 3-10 at home, while the Heat is 9-7 on the road. Miami has won 4 of 6 against their Southeast Divisional rivals, and 9 of 16 games against Eastern Conference teams. Hawks have lost 4 of 5 against Southeast Divisional rivals, and 17 of 21 games against Eastern Conference teams.
Atlanta Hawks have the worst record in the NBA at 6-23. Quite a change from the 2014-15 season when Mike Budenholzer lead the team to the Eastern Conference Finals with a 60-22 record. Hawks are one of the founding members of the NBA from the 1949-50 season, with Red Auerbach as coach that first year.
Dragic leads the Heat in points per game (16.6) and assists (4.4), Richardson in steals (1.2), Whiteside in rebounds (12.7) and blocks (1.6). Schroder leads the Hawks in points per game (19.7) and assists (6.7), Bazemore in steals (1.8), Dedmon in rebounds (7.8), John Collins in blocks (1.0).
Zach Lowe did mention to keep an eye on Prince.
“They're 6-22, and their exciting rookie -- John Collins -- missed two weeks before returning Thursday. But keep an eye on Prince. He's shooting 41 percent from deep, and looking more comfortable attacking off the dribble as a secondary ball handler -- exactly the kind of progress the Hawks wanted in Year 2:”