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Atlanta Hawks: Three Wins in a Row and Sixteen To Go

By W. M. Lawson

May 13, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks mascot Harry the Hawk performs during a time out of the fourth quarter of their game against the Washington Wizards in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 82-81. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
May 13, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks mascot Harry the Hawk performs during a time out of the fourth quarter of their game against the Washington Wizards in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 82-81. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Hawks have rebounded to win three games in a row, and look to close out the regular season running and with momentum.

After having lost three games in a row, all the while fighting openly on court, the Atlanta Hawks have reeled off three wins in a row, and seem to have put those arguments behind them. There are 16 games remaining on the regular season schedule, and subsequently, the Hawks have a chance to make a move.

Atlanta has been streaky all year. This isn’t a team that elicits thoughts of stability and continuity. As a fan, that can be both fun and maddening when watching them play. Generally speaking, though, the 2016-2017 Hawks have beaten the teams they should beat, and have lost to the better teams in the NBA. In that sense they have been predictable.

When one looks at the last six games played that idea gets reinforced. Losses to Cleveland, Indiana, and Golden State gave way to wins against Brooklyn, Toronto, and Memphis. The interesting exception in that group was the Toronto win. In fact, in their last 10 games, Atlanta has beaten Boston, Dallas, and Toronto. All three are teams that Atlanta has struggled with recently.

So the question begs: Have the Atlanta Hawks figured it out? The simple answer is probably no. There isn’t a reason to think that the team itself has “figured itself out” this late in the season. What is possible, though, is that the recent conflagration between Dennis Schröder and Dwight Howard, and the resulting lengthy conversations and involvement from Coach Budenholzer and Paul Millsap, caused clarity.

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We hear of these stories all the time. It’s even true in personal relationships. It is possible that an airing of grievances, if done with respect, can clear the air. If the Hawks handled that public adversity with aplomb behind closed doors, it is possible the team became stronger.

We’ll find out soon enough. Their next three games are against San Antonio (Away), Memphis (Home), and Portland (Home). The Spurs will be without LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard, so Atlanta might have a better chance than usual. Playing Memphis and Portland at home are very winnable.

After those three games, only six of the remaining 13 games will be against teams with a winning record. That said, three of those games are sequential tilts against Boston and then Cleveland in back to back match-ups. That won’t be easy.

Still, Here we are. With 16 games left, the Hawks can finish out the season with a flurry, and maybe with a little momentum. No one really expects Atlanta to win any championships this year. But in what is widely regarded as a transition period, it would be a testament to the coaches and players who play through and do some playoff damage.

Next: Atlanta Braves: Mike Foltynewicz Impressing Early This Spring

Atlanta is a streaky team. We’re about to find out which way they streak coming into the home stretch.

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