A new starter, a deeper bench
Atlanta has won three in a row, and the reason is as much about who comes off the bench as who starts. Coach Quin Snyder moved CJ McCollum to a sixth-man role, which opened a starting spot for rookie Kingston Flemings. He has started the last two games, scoring 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting in his first start on Wednesday and 11 on 5-of-9 in Friday’s 139-132 win over the Wizards, with six assists and two turnovers in the second game.
“When we get downhill, we got a lot of great shooting from the team,” Flemings said. “So that’s my job when I get in the game.”
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Veterans carrying the load
The Hawks added Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins over the summer, and both are paying off. Dort has started three games while Jalen Johnson recovers from a sprained ankle and hit five threes for a season-high 25 on Friday. Wiggins gave Atlanta 19 off the bench. Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 28 as the Hawks set their season high for points, and the extra scoring has taken pressure off him.
Atlanta is without Jock Landale, who has missed three games with a left hip strain, and Asa Newell, who hyperextended his left big toe on Wednesday. Tonight is the second half of a back-to-back, and the first of three meetings with Brooklyn this season. The Hawks swept all four games last year and have won five in a row against the Nets.
Brooklyn starts a road trip
The Nets are beginning a four-game trip off a 114-104 win over Charlotte on Wednesday, only their second victory of the season. Michael Porter Jr. leads them at 21.4 points and 7.4 rebounds a night and scored 26 against the Hornets as Brooklyn erased a seven-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Julius Randle averages 21 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists, and he has put up 22.9 points and 10.1 rebounds in 26 career meetings with Atlanta.
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