Atlanta Hawks: Areas Of Improvement For Playoffs

Areas Of Improvement For Playoffs

Mar 30, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) grabs a rebound against Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) and Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) for a rebound during the first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 30, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) goes after a loose ball as Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) looks on during the first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Limiting turnovers

This is not so much a cause for concern as it is just an observation. The Hawks win when they don’t turn the ball over. It’s that simple.

In their previous two victories over Detroit and Chicago, the Hawks turned the ball over only four times against the Pistons and only had five turnovers until the final few minutes against the Bulls. Against the Raptors on Wednesday, the Atlanta Hawks turned the ball over 18 times.

The primary offender for turning the ball over is reserve point guard Dennis Schroder. While Schroder is a dynamic and quick guard, he tends to play out of control at times. Whether it’s with an errant pass or an ill advised drive to the basket, Schroder needs to play more intelligently while also leveraging his excellent speed and playmaking ability.

Atlanta isn’t the worst team in the league in turning the ball over, but they certainly aren’t the best, averaging 14.4 per game. In the playoffs, the Hawks have to play more intelligently and try to limit coughing up the ball.

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