Recapping the Atlanta Hawks’ 17-game winning streak
By Andrew Ross
The Atlanta Hawks are the hottest team in the league right now, and they are dominating those in their path.
Atlanta is currently on a league-high 17-game winning streak, and they are quickly being recognized as one of the best teams in the entire NBA.
The Hawks were already one of the bigger surprises of the season when they were 21-8, but this winning streak has given them a seven-game lead in the East and they are right behind the Golden State Warriors for the best record in the league.
What’s most impressive about the Hawks not losing since December 26th isn’t just the winning streak itself, but how they have been able to do it.
During the 17 games, Atlanta has averaged 105.8 points while only allowing 93.9 points, and it hasn’t all been against the bottom teams of the league.
Sure, the Hawks have beaten the Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics in this stretch, but they also have huge wins over some of the top competition that the league has to offer:
90-85 at Milwaukee Bucks
109-101 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
115-107 at Portland Trail Blazers
107-98 at Los Angeles Lakers
96-98 vs. Memphis Grizzlies
120-89 vs. Washington Wizards
110-89 at Toronto Raptors
107-99 at Chicago Bulls
103-98 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
This team doesn’t have a Stephen Curry to carry them on offense or a LeBron James to take over the game, but instead they have a good core group of guys that have few weaknesses and understand how to play together.
In fact, the most points a Hawk has scored during this run is just 26 (Teague).
Paul Millsap, Al Horford and Jeff Teague may have made the All-Star team, but don’t be fooled: this is a four-headed monster with Kyle Korver.
The four stars for the Hawks have been exceptional all year long, but they have really picked it up during this stretch of dominance in January.
In the month, Horford has been able to raise all of his numbers: 16.7 points (59 percent shooting), 7.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists.
Horford might not return to the same exact level that he used to play at prior to all his injuries, but he has been able to stay healthy this year (knock on wood) and has already proven a lot of doubters wrong.
Teague’s numbers haven’t seen a dramatic difference, but they are impressive nonetheless: 17.3 points (45 percent shooting), 8.6 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals.
Teague has seen an increase in his numbers every year, and he is having yet another career year in his sixth season.
Along side Horford is Millsap, and he has probably been the best big man in the East this year and has dominated the past month: 18.3 points (50 percent shooting), eight rebounds and three assists.
Millsap had a monster season in his first year with Atlanta, and it’s nice to see that he is following it up with another huge year.
Often the overlooked star of the group, Korver has been doing what he always does: 13 points (56 percent shooting, 56 three-point shooting), 4.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists.
Korver’s numbers might not fly off the screen right away, but he’s having one of the greatest seasons a shooter has ever had and he is on pace to have the first ever 50/50/90 season (50 percent shooting from the field and on three-pointers, as well as 90 percent shooting from the line).
As nice as those individual numbers are, Atlanta’s team numbers are even more impressive:
First in scoring defense (96.3)
Fourth in opponent shooting percentage (43.6)
Sixth in scoring offense (103.6)
Fourth in shooting percentage (47.3)
They are the only team in the league to be at least top-six in all four of those categories.
I don’t know how much longer the Hawks can keep this streak going, but things are going to get tough as five of their next six games are: vs. Portland, at New Orleans, vs. Washington, vs. Golden State and at Memphis.
It’s hard to really think about it and let it sink in, but the Atlanta Hawks are true contenders to win it all and it will be interesting to see how far they can go this year.