Atlanta Hawks

Hawks' one-two point guard punch key to Atlanta's playoff run

Published May. 19, 2015 2:39 a.m. ET

foxsports

The NBA is a point guard's league. Fortunately for the Atlanta Hawks, they have two playmakers who bring different skill sets to the game. And were it not for Jeff Teague and Dennis Schroder, the Hawks would never be in the Eastern Conference finals.

"When those two guys play together, it gives you a second player that's very comfortable, very accustomed, to being in pick-and-rolls with the ball in their hands -- trying to get in the paint, attacking the basket, collapsing the defense," coach Mike Budenholzer said after practice on Monday. "If it's helping us, we'll continue to play them together. I think they're getting more comfortable together, too, which is helpful."

And Cavaliers coach David Blatt knows that Atlanta's two-headed point guard can provide problems for a team. "Both can break you down on the dribble," Blatt said. "Both can push the ball. Both can get to the rim and create for not only themselves, but for others. They are a handful. Two excellent guards who can play together. That presents another whole set of problems."

Teague, of course, was an All-Star this season, but he showed just how much he trusts his point guard counterpart in Game 5 against the Washington Wizards. With Schroder rolling, Teague benched himself, understanding that his backup had the Hawks in position for a huge win.

When they play together, Atlanta is vulnerable on the defensive end, as both guards are on the short side. But Budenholzer has increased the minutes he's played both at the same time during the postseason, and it's worked so far. With Kyrie Irving potentially limited in Game 1, Teague and Schroder could prove the difference on Wednesday.

(h/t San Antonio Express-News)