After being down more than 20 in the first half, the Milwaukee Bucks made a nice run to cut the lead all the way down to 7 points in the middle of the 4th quarter.  The Hawks were able to answer though, with two very important baskets.  One with the Bucks down 7 and one with them down 8.

Jamal Crawford’s Three

The Hawks, needing a bucket, look to run a set play for Joe Johnson.  He is going to come off of a backscreen set by Al Horford.  At the same time,  Josh Smith flashes to the top of the key to get the basketball.  He makes the catch and immediately looks for Johnson in the post.

Johnson isn’t open though, and he ends up floating all the way out to the wing, near the three point line.

This allows for John Salmons to dig down and pinch in on  Joe Johnson.  Because of that, Smith can’t get him the ball so he kicks it out to Jamal Crawford.

Jamal Crawford makes the catch, and John Salmons is playing off of him.  Now, this is good defensive position for just about every player in the NBA, except for Jamal Crawford (and J.R. Smith).  You know that Crawford is able to take (and make) 30 footers, so you can’t give him that kind of space.

Crawford takes a few dribbles, and instead of getting in his face, Salmons drops back a couple steps.  Crawford sees the cushion and pulls up, hitting the three pointer.  Here it is in real time.  Notice how Salmons is back on his heels, and this is what makes him unable to challenge the shot.

Al Horford’s Post Up

After some more baskets get exchanged the Hawks find themselves up by 8 points with a side out situation.  A basket here extends the lead to 10 and probably takes the will of the Bucks.

Mike Bibby is going to come up, off of a screen set by Al Horford.  After setting the screen, Horford goes in the post and gets himself good position.

Bibby tosses it in, and the Hawks start their off the ball movement.  Joe Johnson cuts along the baseline to the opposite corner, while Bibby floats to the opposite wing.  This movement is key because it takes the two defenders who are in position to bring a double team, and puts them farther away from the basketball.  Now, if the Bucks wanted to double, they would have to leave a shooter open.

As Horford starts his move, Brandon Jennings starts to double, but he is afraid to leave Mike Bibby, who happens to be 8-9 from the field up to this point.  This indecision leaves Jennings in no-man’s land, and he doesn’t get the proper double on Horford.

This allows Horford to turn to the middle and hit the easy little baby hook.  Here it is in real time.  Watch for Jennings, and that indecision.