Hawks bury Suns with 4th-quarter surge
PHOENIX -- As a team that often seems in need of a road map while negotiating its learning curve, Friday provided an opportunity to absorb some much-need direction for the impressionable Suns.
Serving as guest instructors were the Atlanta Hawks, who have used several teamwork-defined elements to fashion the second-best record (51-14) in the NBA.
In a star-based profession, Atlanta's "we" attitude has become the league's feel-good story.
"We've got confidence in each other," Hawks power forward Paul Millsap said after his team's 96-87 triumph. "We trust each other, especially down the stretch. Not just one guy is looking to make plays, we give it to the open guy and we move it and trust each other.
"We know if we play our style of play -- which is move the basketball and move bodies -- we'll get a get a good shot."
And after the youngsters who suit up for the home team fought their way to 11-point leads early and late in the third quarter, the Hawks also leaned on experience to win the fourth quarter, 31-14.
After a recent loss at U.S. Airways Center, Suns coach Jeff Hornacek mused that his team's development may require studies of other teams on video.
The Hawks would seem to be brutally appropriate subjects.
"You have to have a total unselfish attitude," Hornacek said, "and that's what those guys do."
As perhaps the most efficient copycats of the San Antonio Way -- it figures, because second-year coach Mike Budenholzer was the long-time apprentice for Spurs scholar Gregg Popovich -- they've assembled a marvelous team with reasonable talent.
Sure, four Hawks participated in this season's All-Star Game, but none would be selected very early if the league conducted a draft with all of its players available.
For the record, two of those All-Stars -- sharpshooter Kyle Korver and the undersized Millsap -- were drafted in the second round. A third, point guard Jeff Teague, was the 19th selection in 2009.
So it's safe to suggest their uprising owes considerable credit to a willingness to pass, cut and defend in a manner that allows teammates to be successful.
But we also should note the Suns started four players 25 or younger in their skirmish with Atlanta; the Hawks' youngest starter is 26. And in addition to a big advantage in overall experience, three current Hawks starters were employed at the same time by the Utah Jazz.
"They've also had guys who have played together," Hornacek said. "That's a big thing in the NBA. If you can keep a group together for four or five years, that's beneficial because then these guys get a really good feel of every little thing.
"They have a great feel of what each guy likes to do."
Approach and familiarity have enabled Atlanta to win three of four games against the mighty Cleveland Cavaliers and 12 of 15 against the nine best teams in the Western Conference.
While improving from their 38-win finish in Budenholzer's inaugural season (having Al Horford, who had been a two-time All-Star, back from injury helps a ton), the Hawks can be found at or near the top in several statistical categories that scream "team!"
They are first among NBA teams, for example, in assist ratio, second in assists and second in fewest fast-break points allowed.
The Hawks register first in true shooting percentage, second in 3-point shooting accuracy and third in assist-to-turnover ratio.
Stir all of these numbers and you'll have a mix that ranks sixth for efficiency at each end of the floor.
"I think we've been able to get a group of players that are high character," Budenholzer said, "very, very unselfish with high basketball IQs. That collection of players has been able to do a lot of good things together and, collectively, we can keep getting better and move forward."
Through three quarters Friday, the Suns -- who were up, 73-65, at that point -- demonstrated that a lack of physical talent isn't epidemic in Phoenix. Even without Brandon Knight (ankle, questionable for Sunday's game with the New York Knicks), the Suns (now 34-33) demonstrated why they can inspire optimism.
Although he missed a chunk of the first half after picking up two early fouls, Eric Bledsoe (21 points on 7-of-12 shooting) looked superior to Hawks All-Star Teague.
Markieff Morris (22 points, 6 rebounds) was working chin to chin against Millsap (23 and 9).
Phoenix also had a three-quarter advantage in assist ratio (15 on 25 buckets) and had made 10 of 17 attempts from 3-point range.
They were doing what the Hawks typically do better than the Hawks.
And then, the fourth quarter happened.
During the final 12 minutes, Atlanta's veteran chops led to 60 percent shooting, including 5 of 7 from 3-point range. Korver, the league's top marksman from deep, had a measly 8 points and a single 3-pointer (which occurred with his shadow, P.J. Tucker, on the bench) through the first 36 minutes. But with the Hawks still making the extra pass, he buried two open 3s in the final stanza.
Much of Atlanta's offensive success in that quarter was presented by squeezing the Suns on defense. The Suns 41.7 percent fourth-period shooting -- about where they were the entire night --- included 4 additional misses in a final 0-of-9 stretch from behind the arc.
And with Bledsoe contributing four, Phoenix piled up seven of its 18 turnovers in the fourth.
"I thought we played well for three quarters," Hornacek said. "We had that stretch where we had an 11-point lead and it disappeared quickly, then we ran out of gas.
"All of a sudden, we were running in sand and couldn't get into anything. I'm not sure why they got so tired, but we're going to have to work on that."
The frustration was ratcheted up a bit higher when Suns center Alex Len, who didn't have much of an impact on the game while matched against Atlanta's mobile post players, sprained his right ankle challenging an attempted layup.
Suns center Alex Len is helped off the court after injuring his ankle in the second half.
"It's just a sprain, as far as I know," Hornacek said.
Beyond any nod to fatigue or injury, however, Friday's deciding moments were a demonstration of how good players can be a great team. But the Hawks certainly have a chorus of doubters who believe their lack of superstar talent will translate to postseason disappointment.
"It's just how we play," Millsap said. "We trust the system, we trust each other and good things happen."