The Hawks continue to work on a 7-game homestand that will keep them at Philips Arena for another week. Here's what winning 30 of the last 32 games will do: The Hawks now lead the race for the top spot in the Eastern Conference by 7 games.
MINI POWER RANKINGS FOR THE UPCOMING WEEK
The Hawks have games this week against:
Brooklyn (Wednesday | 8:00 PM | Philips Arena | SportSouth, 92.9 The Game | Get Tickets)
Portland (Friday | 7:30 PM | Philips Arena | SportSouth, 92.9 The Game | Get Tickets)
Philadelphia (Saturday | 7:30 PM | Philips Arena | SportSouth, 92.9 The Game | Get Tickets)
1. Atlanta: During their 16-game winning streak, the Hawks have outscored their opposition by 251 points when Kyle Korver has been on the floor.
2. Portland: LaMarcus Aldridge tore a ligament in his left thumb last week, and was initially slated for surgery and an absence of 6-8 weeks. Saturday, though, Aldridge said he would play through the injury, and he scored a team-high 26 points in a win over the Wizards later that night.
3. Brooklyn: The Hawks have the right to swap 2015 first-round draft picks with the Nets. Brooklyn currently sits in the 9th spot with an 18-26 record. A regular-season win over the Nets is twice as valuable as any other, as it just might be the difference in 'netting' a draft pick from the lottery.
4. Philadelphia: Owners of an 8-36 won-loss record, it has been a long season for the 76ers. One bright spot, though, has been the shooting of Robert Covington. The second-year forward is averaging 12.5 points per game and shooting 39.6% from three.
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Paul Millsap vs. LaMarcus Aldridge. On Thursday, Millsap and Aldridge will find out whether or not they have been named as reserves to their respective All-Star teams, and on Friday the pair will face off against one another. It seems quite possible that both will make it. One item to watch: Aldridge prefers to play below-the-rim defense, going for strips and steals while his opponent has the ball low, but that style could pose a challenge with his injured thumb. Millsap played brilliantly in Sunday's win over the Timberwolves: 20 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals.
SOMETHING SEEN...
During a second-half timeout in Sunday's win over the Timberwolves, Steve Holman got a standing ovation at Philips Arena in recognition of being named the 2014 Georgia Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NSSA). Holman hasn't missed a game in 30 years as a broadcaster.
SOMETHING HEARD...
"I try to find Balkan spots around America when I can. In most cities you can find Balkan food. The place that I’ve found that’s most similar to the food I grew up with is in Chicago. It’s called Deta’s. When I go to Chicago, I always go there. I have a lot of friends in Chicago from my country so they take me there."
-- Pero Antic, to The Manual when asked about finding food on the road
IT MIGHT NOT HAPPEN, BUT WE HOPE IT DOES...
If the Hawks beat Brooklyn Wednesday, they will own the longest winning streak in the NBA this season: 17 games. They are currently tied with the Golden State Warriors, who put together a 16-game winning streak earlier this year.
IT MIGHT HAPPEN, BUT WE HOPE IT DOESN'T...
Pero Antic might get left out of All-Star Weekend. The teams for the Rising Stars Challenge of All-Star Weekend are going to be named next week. As a second-year NBA player, Pero Antic is eligible to be chosen. However, with this year's teams being split between the US and International sides, there is a long list of quality international centers in their first and second seasons: Gorgui Dieng (Senegal), Rudy Gobert (France), Kelly Olynyk (Canada), Jusuf Nurkic (Bosnia) and Steven Adams (New Zealand) are all vying along with Pero for a handful of big man spots on a 10-man roster. Antic, though, deserves a spot for smartly and efficiently anchoring a terrific Hawks bench that routinely outplays its opposition.
INJURY REPORT
Shelvin Mack (left calf strain) was inactive Sunday against the Timberwolves. Before the game, Coach Bud said, "I think each day Shelvin is getting a little bit better."
INTERESTING...
According to the SportsVU player tracking data on NBA.com/Stats, Teague ranks fifth in the league in points scored off drives per 48 minutes with 10.0. He routinely breaks down defenses off the dribble, a skill that greatly enhances the shooters around him.
ABSURD STAT
With 37 wins through Jan. 25, the Hawks are one win from tying their entire win total from the 2013-14 season.
Story by KL Chouinard@AnaheimAmigos