Hoops Habit
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NBA Christmas: A Gift For Every Team’s Wish List

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 23, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view as an official Spalding basketball goes through the hoop and net during the Phoenix Suns game against the Boston Celtics at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view as an official Spalding basketball goes through the hoop and net during the Phoenix Suns game against the Boston Celtics at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 7, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore (24) celebrates after his three-point basket in the fourth quarter of their game against the Washington Wizards at Philips Arena. Also shown on the play is Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0). The Hawks won 114-99. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Hawks

Kent Bazemore Playing Like This All Year

It’s no secret that the Atlanta Hawks haven’t been the same team since DeMarre Carroll‘s departure. They’re not going to win 60 games again and with the Eastern Conference as improved as it is, there’s no guarantee they even make it past the first round of the playoffs. But with Kent Bazemore stepping and then re-stepping into the starting lineup, Atlanta has been in a better place.

The Hawks are currently on a five-game win streak and though Bazemore’s numbers don’t stand out in that span, he’s averaged a healthy 12.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game on .489/.397/.875 shooting splits in 19 games as a starter. In December, he’s stepped those numbers up to 13.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

Bazemore is nowhere near the defender that Carroll is, but his offense plus Thabo Sefolosha‘s defense might be able to make up for the loss of Atlanta’s underrated 3-and-D wing.

Next: Boston Celtics