Paul Abell – USA Today Sports Images
The Atlanta Hawks notched two wins on their home floor to even up their series with the Indiana Pacers at two games apiece. The Hawks looked like a completely different team in games three and four, one that actually belonged in the NBA Playoffs as opposed to how they played in games one and two.
There are many areas where you could point to as to why the Hawks were able to turn things around in games three and four. It was partially due to the home-court advantage. It was partially due to the fact that Josh Smith played well. Part of it was due to Al Horford being moved to the power forward position. However, one part that really helped the Hawks that is being somewhat overlooked is the offensive production of Kyle Korver.
In games one and two, Korver was absolutely atrocious and couldn’t get anything going or any of his shots to fall. In those first two games he averaged just seven points and two rebounds per game while shooting an abysmal 29.4 percent from the field and going just 4-13 from long range. As a role player who comes in to provide the Hawks with outside shooting and instant offense, Korver wasn’t doing his part.
Apparently Korver enjoys playing on his home court, though, because everything changed in games three and four. Korver got his stroke going and played quite nicely, averaging 12.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game while shooting 56.3 percent from the field and going 7-11 from long range in those two games.
Though Korver is just a role player that rarely blows opponents away with his scoring ability, his role on the Hawks is important, especially against Indiana. The Hawks don’t have many outside shooting threats beyond Korver, so when he is struggling they fail to take advantage of the Pacers’ below-average outside shooting. Korver may be a role player, but if he can continue to knock down threes, the Hawks have an advantage in this series.
Cody Williams is a Senior NBA Writer with Rant Sports. Follow Cody on Twitter @TheSizzle20 and like his Facebook page.
