Mike Budenholzer is trying to bring Gregg Popovich flavor to the Hawks

Travis Durkee

•
Mike Budenholzer is trying to bring Gregg Popovich flavor to the Hawks image

How about a little drama to kick off the new year?

The Hawks rallied late at home against the Spurs and held on for a 114-112 overtime win Sunday.

Kawhi Leonard missed an open lay-up as time expired in overtime, giving Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer his first win over his former boss, Gregg Popovich. Prior to Sunday, Atlanta (18-16) had lost 11 straight to San Antonio (27-7). 

“Any time you had that kind of streak, no matter what conference it’s from, it’s nice to beat somebody,” Budenholzer told reporters after the game. “I was there for a long time. A lot of things we’ve tried to bring here, the things that make sense and are smart. At the end of the day, it’s a game for our players.”

MORE: Bold predictions for the NBA in 2017

Atlanta was 14 of 28 from 3-point range to offset poor free-throw shooting (16 of 27). Tim Hardaway Jr. led the charge with six 3-pointers off the bench, including a 26-footer to tie the game at 100-all with three seconds left in regulation, tying his career high of 29 points.

“We draw up all these specialty plays and then we go to one we run five times a game,” Hawks guard Kyle Korver said of the play. “Tim coming off a screen and has an open look, that’s a good option for us. He knocked down a huge shot.”

Paul Millsap, the subject of trade rumors earlier in the day, went off with 32 points and 13 rebounds.

LaMarcus Aldridge led the Spurs with 27 points and 13 rebounds.

Studs of the night

Pacers big man Myles Turner recorded his fifth double-double of the season in a 117-104 win over the Magic. The second-year player out of Texas scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as Indiana improved to 17-18.

Three different Pistons scored more than 20 points in a 107-98 Detroit win over the Heat, but Andre Drummond was most impressive with 25 points and 18 rebounds.

MORE: Stan Van Gundy won't stay quiet on America's big issues

Dud of the night

Luol Deng was supposed to be the wily, productive veteran on a young Lakers roster. But Sunday night he was nothing more than dead weight. In 30 minutes, Deng shot 1 of 6 from the floor and finished with two points in a 123-114 loss to the Raptors.

Highlight

Timberwolves rookie literally dribbled around Portland’s Shabazz Napier before dishing an assist. However, the Trail Blazers won the game behind C.J. McCollum’s 43 points.

What's next

MORE: Preview Monday's NBA action

Oklahoma City Thunder (21-13) at Milwaukee Bucks (16-16), 7 p.m. ET — On one bench we have Russell Westbrook, the triple-double, highlight machine. And on the other there’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, the 6-11 "Greek Freak" capable of scoring 40 points and blocking 10 shots on the same night. Both teams are coming off losses, so expect these two young stars to put on a show and give NBA fans a glimpse of showdowns to come for the next decade.

Travis Durkee