Hoops Habit
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NBA Teams Getting Hot at the Perfect Time

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 1, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets Kemba Walker (15) celebrates with guard Courtney Lee (1) after a score in the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Suns 126-92. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets Kemba Walker (15) celebrates with guard Courtney Lee (1) after a score in the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Suns 126-92. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 13, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) grabs a rebound over teammates against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Pacers 104-75. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) grabs a rebound over teammates against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Pacers 104-75. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Hawks

Record: 40-29

Last 10: 8-2

Key Statistic: 11.2 (Point Differential over the past 11 games)

Current Streak: 9-2

It may sound crazy, but the 40-29 Atlanta Hawks of 2015-16 are better equipped for the postseason than the 60-22 Hawks of 2014-15. Paul Millsap has emerged as a genuine threat in isolation, Dennis Schröder has become a prime Sixth Man of the Year candidate, and Mike Budenholzer is getting the best from his team at the perfect time.

Since a three-game losing streak dropped it to 31-27, Atlanta is 9-2 with one of the two losses coming in overtime to the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena.

During that stretch, Atlanta has defeated a number of quality opponents—convincingly. It won by double-digits against the Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Memphis Grizzlies, and fell only to Golden State and the Toronto Raptors by single digits.

It’s done so by riding the production of the usual suspects, all the while developing young players such as Tim Hardaway Jr. and Schröder.

The key for Atlanta this season is that it’s creating penetration with more consistency than it did a season ago. The ball movement is still the key to the offense, but when games slow down and defenses get physical, the Hawks have the quickness and skill level to exploit openings.

Known for their selflessness and sharpshooting, Atlanta is No. 5 in the NBA in points via drives per game.

Next: Red Hot