The Atlanta Hawks have now reeled off consecutive victories and currently sit atop the Southeast Division four games into the 2018-19 season. It took a massive 26-point comeback for the Hawks to beat the Dallas Mavericks 110-104 in their home opener at the refurbished and renamed State Farm Arena.

Three Observations

1. DeAndre’ Bembry’s defense is getting him extended playing time

When Kevin Huerter was drafted and Jeremy Lin added via free agency, it looked like a signal that third-year forward DeAndre’ Bembry’s time with the Hawks was destined to come to an end soon.

But under new head coach Lloyd Pierce, Bembry’s game has been rejuvenated.

The difference: Pierce is using Bembry as a playmaker more, even deploying him as the backup point guard at times. At Saint Joseph’s, Bembry made his name for himself by being the primary creator for Phil Martinelli’s Hawks. Under Pierce, Bembry is seemingly being placed back in a more comfortable role.

What really helped Bembry get back in the good graces with Atlanta’s coaching staff is his defense.

Through three games the Hawks had a defensive rating of 113.2. But in Atlanta’s back-to-back wins, the Hawks defensive ratings with Bembry on the court have been 117.1–with a 144.4 offensive rating–and 71.6.

Standing 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, Bembry provides the necessary length to hassle opposing guards on and off the ball.

He has clearly bought into Pierce’s defense-first mantra, and the new coach is rewarding him with the requisite playing time. Tonight, that faith resulted in not only the change of momentum, but Bembry also pulled down 14 defensive rebounds, finding new ways to stand out with his contributions.

2. Kent Bazemore was the best player for either team

In a game billed as a matchup between rookies Trae Young and Luka Doncic, it was Kent Bazemore who stole the show tonight.

Bazemore had gotten off to a slower than expected start, but returning home to Atlanta had a big impact on the last remaining member of the 60-win team from 2015.

The longest tenured Hawk opened up the State Farm Arena by putting up a career-high 32 points, along with seven assists and three rebounds. Bazemore was an issue all night for the Mavericks, culminating with a blow-by of Maxi Kleber for a ferocious one-handed slam dunk to give Atlanta the lead for good down the stretch.

As the Hawks continue to empower their younger talent, getting good production from a veteran like Bazemore will be crucial to steadying the inconsistent play of a youthful roster.

From start to finish, Bazemore stood out as the best player on the floor for either team, and that’s no small task for the former undrafted free agent from Old Dominion.

Like a good neighbor, Bazemore was there.

3. Trae Young iced the game

Trae Young has been dubbed “ICE TRAE” by Atlanta’s own Migos, and tonight he personified the moniker on an entirely different level. Young’s performance down the clutch iced the game for Atlanta.

Coming off his historic 35-point 11-assist performance, Young couldn’t get things going early, entered the third quarter with just five points while shooting a putrid 1/9 from the field.

Then the final 5:55 of the game happened. At the moment Young was substituted back in the game, the Hawks were down 95-91.

Young would then go on to make eight free throws, score two layups, and feed Bazemore for the dunk that rocked the roof.

Being able to overcome a poor shooting night and close the game out with it hanging in the balance was a big moment for Young so early in his career. An even better sign was that he didn’t overdo it, either. Everything he got down the stretch came within the flow of the offense.

If Young is able to come up big when it matters, his inefficient nights will be readily forgiven by the coaches, players, and fans alike.

Two Questions

1. How long until Dewayne Dedmon supplants Alex Len as the starting center?

Dewayne Dedmon made his triumphant return to the court tonight. He played good 14 minutes, coming off the bench for Alex Len.

Dedmon was a diamond in the rough for Atlanta last season. His ability to defend the rim, switch onto perimeter players out of the pick-and-roll, and knock down threes made him a key cog for the Hawks.

His abilities aligned perfectly with the way the modern NBA was going.

With Dedmon sidelined, the Hawks turned to Len. And while he’s been doing his best Dedmon impersonation, there’s nothing like the real thing.

Look for Dedmon to continue to play within the 15-20 minute range until he’s able to regain his conditioning. Once that happens, he’ll be cemented in as the starting center for Atlanta–and could possibly help sure up what has been the biggest issue for this Hawks team to begin the year: defense.

2. What is Jeremy Lin’s role?

Lloyd Pierce and Jeremy Lin have a connection dating back to when both were with the Golden State Warriors during Lin’s rookie year. The two found their way back to each other this offseason.

Heading into training camp, there were discussions about whether or not Lin could possibly start at point guard for the Hawks, with Atlanta potentially trying to bring Trae Young along slowly. That hasn’t been the case, with Young winning the position battle in training camp and Lin now penciled into the backup slot.

It seemed like the perfect fit. Lin, knowing Pierce very well, could take his experience with Pierce and from his other many stops around the NBA to be a great tutor for Young to learn the ropes of the league.

While that may still be the case off the court, on the court Lin has seen his playing time fluctuate through the first four games. He played 14 minutes against the New York Knicks, a season-high 17 minutes against the Memphis Grizzlies, and 10 minutes against both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks.

And as alluded to above, Pierce has even at times decided to use DeAndre’ Bembry as the team’s backup point guard over Lin.

If the clock has struck midnight on Lin’s Cinderella run in the NBA, what will his role be going forward for Atlanta? Figuring that out could be the difference between an engaged Lin and a traded Lin down the line.

One Prediction

1. The Hawks hold Zach LaVine under 30 points

Up next for the Hawks is another team undergoing a rebuild led by their young roster in the Chicago Bulls. With Lauri Markkanen sideline to begin his second season, much like John Collins, the Bulls have relied on the offensive repertoire of Zach LaVine to ignite the team early.

LaVine has responded by scoring 30-plus points in all four of Chicago’s game this season (30, 33, 34, and 32 respectively).

The combination of his athletic upside, outside shooting, and ability to penetrate the lane make him one of the tougher players to defend in the NBA. Even if the defense is able to wall off LaVine, he’s become great at draining contested looks over the course of his career.

Yet, LaVine and the Bulls will be coming to a re-energized State Farm Arena, facing a Hawks team coming off its best 36 minutes of defense all season.

Pierce will have Bazemore, Bembry, and Taurean Prince to throw at LaVine. The hope is that trio is able to do enough to cool off LaVine’s hot start. We’ll find out if they actually can on Saturday.