Look For Kent Bazemore to Shine in Game 3

In the 90 hours the Atlanta Hawks have had off since their victory over the Washington Wizards in Game 2, I’ve thought: who is going to have a big for the Hawks off the bench?  Through the first eight playoffs games in 2015, Pero Antic has played better than any Hawks reserve by far with his great interior defense and clutch outside shot.  Dennis Schroder is going through some growing pains in the playoffs as a young twenty-one year old.  Mike Scott has been largely ineffective in the post season so far.  While I want every Hawk to play well this evening, I’m really liking Kent Bazemore in tonight’s Game 3.

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I admire Bazemore for what additional responsibilities he’s had to take on in the playoffs as a key rotational player for the Hawks.  Since the nightclub incident that ended Thabo Sefolosha’s season, Kent is now the Hawks best perimeter defender off the bench, having to guard the best wing when DeMarre Carroll is not on the floor.  Outside of Jeff Teague and Dennis Schroder, Kent is actually the next best ball handler in the playoff rotation as Shelvin Mack isn’t getting much playing time.  In my opinion, he’s done fine in the Hawks rotation thus far all things considered.

But I keep getting this feeling that Kent is going to have a monster game in Washington this weekend.  I’ve liked his corner three stroke these last few games.  He’s even commanded double teams when he attacks the paint offensively.  And of course, Kent is always good for at least one highlight reel defensive play every game he plays.

Perhaps it’s the fact that John Wall is probably not going to play tonight or for the rest of the post season due to multiple displaced fractures in his wrist.  Or that the Verizon Center is not all that far away from Baze’s alma mater, Old Dominion University.  But I think more than anything, he’s settled into his playoff role coming of the Hawks bench.  With the intensity that he plays with every second he is on the court, it could be exhausting for the Washington backcourt should Wall miss significant time for the Wizards.

Let’s hope I’m right and Baze makes some clutch corner threes, pick-pockets Sessions a few times, and dominates the game in transition both offensively and on the defensive glass.  Tip off is at 5PM ET.  Let’s Go Hawks!