Does Orlando's Hot Shooting Point To Concern For Hawks?

The Atlanta Hawks dropped a home match up against the Orlando Magic last night. Did their hot shooting expose major issues within the Hawks defensive schemes?

The Atlanta Hawks went into last night’s game against the Orlando on a two-game winning streak. In most cases, people don’t make a big deal about winning two-straight games, but the Hawks have been trying to right the ship since falling off the deep end after a 9-2 start and extending that winning streak would instill confidence that has seemed to vanish.

The Magic’s offense ranked 29th coming into the game, so it was the perfect opportunity for the Hawks to get back on track by their defensive success leading to offensive production. Instead, the Magic went on to shoot 58.6 percent from the field and 44.1 percent from three.

Point guard Elfrid Payton scored a career-high 26 points in 35 minutes off the bench while Serge Ibaka and Evan Fournier chipped in with 29 and 23 points respectively. If those three players are having big scoring nights like that, the odds are probably not in your favor. For the Hawks, it meant giving up 131 points and losing by 11 to a team that had lost three-straight games previously.

This type of night happens for every NBA team in the course of an 82-game season. Players who usually struggle to hit shots have a great night and there’s pretty much nothing you can do about it. It’s safe to say that Payton won’t have another night like he did last night for the rest of 2016-17.

Either way, it’s concerning because the loss puts the Hawks back under .500 with a 12-13 record. In more games than not, if the Hawks are putting up 120 points, the end result should be them leaving with the victory, but again, when players who aren’t known as shooters have career performances, it makes it almost impossible to come out on the winning end. Especially when you consider that three other players finished with 20+ points as well.

Coming into this season, the addition of Dwight Howard was made to bolster an already elite defensive team. To start out, the defense looked to be a legitimate force, but since has hit a few bumps in the road.

In the last 10 games, the Hawks have went 2-8 and are allowing 109.4 points per game. That number would put them in 26th overall in opponents points per game.

If the Hawks plan on turning this thing around any time soon, priding themselves defensively has to be the top priority. Sure, last night they could’ve played better defensively with more solid close-outs and less free drives to the basket, but again, when players are shooting the best they have all season, it’s tough for anyone to stop.

To be concerned at this point would be an understatement. It’s still early in the season, but the Hawks can let the rope keep slipping if they plan on owning home court for at least one playoff series.