Atlanta Hawks Stay Undefeated in March

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Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily, even when COVID has ravaged the league.

Ever since the coaching change, the Atlanta Hawks have not lost a game.

(PHOTO CREDIT: Scott Cunningham/Getty Images.)

The Atlanta Hawks made a coaching change that seemed a little baffling on the first of March as the team replaced Lloyd Pierce with Nate McMillan. McMillan was recently the Indiana Pacers coach with other stops at Portland and our dearly departed Seattle SuperSonics. At the time, we were asking why the Hawks would do this. Sure, Hawks management expected to make the postseason and while they were currently out at the time, the team was riddled with injuries. We were sure they’d make a little run when everybody came back.

Then it came out that Trae Young wasn’t exactly going to be sad if Pierce was ousted. It went as far back as last season. Pierce even pointed out Trae’s foul-baiting techniques and that he wasn’t pleased with it. So while Pierce was a promising young coach, he didn’t have the support of his young team. He had to go.

And suddenly, the Hawks are playing lights out. They avenged their loss against Miami on their back-to-back series. They got by the Orlando Magic. Tony Snell‘s buzzer-beating three gave them a win over Toronto. And then they smacked the Sacramento Kings. Atlanta is undefeated since McMillan took over, who helped shape the Pacers defense. The Hawks are in the Top 10 in defensive rating in the month of March.

Well, I guess we thought wrong. But it does bring up something that is a theme not just in sports but everywhere in life. Sometimes, a support system is all that it takes to change the mood. The Hawks seem to be playing much better and with more fervor after McMillan took over. And yes, the team is getting healthier with Bogdan Bogdanovic coming back and Danilo Gallinari moving better but if the coach had lost them, then it doesn’t really matter, right?

The Hawks have a quick turnaround later on tonight against Cleveland, who definitely is hungry like the wolf for a win. But 5 straight wins for the ATL would be great for their confidence. We’ll see how they do.

Bullet Passes

I feel like the Mavericks got that feeling back. They had won four straight before that “schedule loss” where they sat Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis (yeah, I know).

Yes, Denver lost but they also got the dreaded “schedule loss” since they came off a controversial win over the Memphis Grizzlies the night before. I think both teams will be just fine.

James Harden got his 9th triple-double of the season as the Nets upended the Pistons. There might be some momentum for Harden for MVP, especially since Joel Embiid went down.

Speaking of that, Embiid will be reevaluated in a couple of weeks as he had a bone bruise on his knee. At least, it’s just that. MVP is whatever; Embiid just has to get healthy for Philly.

But I mean, look at this exchange between Harden and DeAndre Jordan:

Tasty.

I suppose everyone is tradeable. But I just don’t understand why Julius Randle would be part of a deal unless you’re trading him for Giannis or some megastar. The Knicks are FINALLY moving the right way so it’s really silly to have that kind of rumor out there.

Also, you news people gotta do better with headlines. I get that it’s for clicks but you’re annoying the potential readers.

It’s kind of amazing that Carmelo Anthony is VERY CLOSE to the Top 10 all-time scoring list.

The guy gets buckets, man.

(But let’s be real. They should include the ABA‘s points in this list.)

The OTHER Melo, LaMelo Ball did a little spin cycle before making the three.

5 players got trip-dubs on Saturday.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) (33-11-11)
Russell Westbrook (WAS) (42-10-12)
James Harden (BRK) (24-10-10)
Domantas Sabonis (IND) (22-13-10)
Julius Randle (NY) (26-12-12)

The Bucks and the Wizards went against each other and it was the 6th time in NBA history that opponents got 30-point triple-doubles.

Also, Westbrook has 157 career triple-doubles. Oscar Robertson has 181. So he is getting closer.

NBA Scoreboard

Mar. 13, 2021

Watch This Play

TOP PICK WAS A TOP GUN ONCE AGAIN. Anthony Edwards!

Take my breath away.

Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.

You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.

You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.

R.I.P. Nala.

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