All-Star Game Review: Hawks share the court and spotlight in MSG
All they needed was DeMarre Carroll.
After Mike Budenholzer called a timeout with 3:28 to go in the first quarter of Sunday's NBA All-Star Game in Madison Square Garden, the Eastern Conference/Hawks coach sent out a lineup that was overwhelming Atlanta as reserves Al Horford, Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague all took the floor.
The East's leaders proceeded to score 13 straight points, including back-to-back 3-pointers from Korver. Then in the third quarter they were at it again, scoring 20 of the team's 22 points.
Those points proved pivotal as the East, down as many as 20, went into the fourth quarter tied. But with the Hawks on the bench, the East fell 163-158 behind 41 points from MVP Russell Westbrook.
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But for the Hawks, a group that has been the league's biggest surprise by eschewing the belief a team needs to be built around a superstar, sharing the floor on two occasions -- and helping play the East back into the game -- seemed fitting.
Chances are, Budenholzer wasn't trying to make a point, but it played itself out like one.
Let's take stock of the Hawks' performances in the 64th All-Star game.
One night after bowing out in the first round of the Three-Point Shootout, Korver wasted little time atoning for that effort. After his consecutive 3s, Korver hit another before missing and he would finish with 21 points off seven treys, one shy of equaling the record eight that Carmelo Anthony hit last season. Korver also added a pair of assist and a rebound. All in a all, it was a very strong debut for the 11-year veteran.
The three-time All-Star filled his stat line and had plus/minus of +11, the most of any reserve and Horford trailed only the West's LaMarcus Aldridge (+17) in that department. Horford was 4 of 6 from the field --tying the eight points he had in the 2010 game -- along with seven rebounds and two assists.
He had a slow start in his second All-Star Game, missing his first two shots -- both 3s -- and turned the ball over twice in the opening half. He appeared poised to get on the board late in the third as Korver passed to Horford, who hit Millsap in the lane. He missed the dunk, but made up for it on the next possession as Korver passed on a wide-open 3 by hitting Millsap, who dunked. His five points were the fewest of any East player, but he added six rebounds, three assists, two steals and Millsap's 16 minutes played were the most of any Hawk.
In a game devoid of defense for three quarters, Teague drove through traffic for an easy layup. The All-Star Game rookie scored six first-half points, but turned it on in the third quarter during that Hawks-fueled run with eight points. He totaled 14 on 6 of 9 shooting and also added two assists, two steals and a rebound.
Follow Cory McCartney on Twitter @coryjmccartney
