For the first time since December sixth the Atlanta Hawks have a record above .500. Monday's win over the Pacers was a welcome site for the Hawks' faithful. A win against one of the worst teams in the league normally would not warrant celebration. However, this season has been anything but normal for Nate McMillan's squad.
The Jekyll and Hyde nature that plagues the Hawks this year has cost them immensely. Beating teams like the Bucks, Warriors, and Grizzlies just to turn around and lose to teams like the Pistons, Magic, and Rockets are a big reason Atlanta finds themselves at tenth in the East.
After beating the Warriors on Friday night, a game against the Pacers seemed like just the type of game the Hawks would fumble. That didn't happen.
Ten first quarter threes gave the Hawks a commanding 14-point lead early. One they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game. The Pacers had their runs and cut the lead to single digits in the third quarter, but the outcome was never in question.
A season high 16 assists for Trae Young combined with a 29 point night for Bogdan Bogdanovic was reminiscent of their impressive postseason run from a year ago. Then there was the defensive energy from Onyeka Okongwu and Jalen Johnson, who the Hawks should look to play alongside each other more often after this performance. All of this while missing John Collins and De'Andre Hunter who was a late scratch before the game with some right knee soreness.
More important than anything, the Hawks came out and looked dominant against the lesser team from the opening tip to the final horn. A possible turning over of a new leaf? For a team looking to prove last season's Eastern Conference Finals appearance was no fluke, it better be.