Babbitt adds offensive spark

The Hawks may have found a solution to their problem of getting in deep holes early. Luke Babbitt, starting his first game in place of Mike Muscala, scored eight points on five shots Sunday in the 37-point first quarter, including a pair of 3-pointers, adding a much-needed boost to the offense.

Babbitt’s defensive issues offset some of his offensive production. And you’d be right about all of that.

But the Hawks needed to get off to a better start after habitually falling in early holes, and Babbitt helped them do that while starting in place of Mike Muscala (ankle). Babbitt scored eight points on five shots in the 37-point first quarter, including a pair of 3-pointers. Babbitt also made a key 3-pointer with five minutes to go.

“His shooting, him making 3’s out of the gate opened the floor up for us,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “We were getting good looks (and) not just for him. I think he attracts defenders and creates space. It was good.”

Again, it’s just one game. But there is a larger body of evidence that suggests a lineup with Babbitt as the small-ball four gets an offensive boost while also playing good defense.

It will be interesting to see if Budenhol- zer sticks with Babbitt as the starter when Muscala returns from his injury (and before Ersan Ilyasova returns from his). Save for that stint with the Heat last season, Babbitt has never been a full-time starter. And one caveat to his strong play with the Heat is that the schedule softened over the final half of the season.

Also, Babbitt’s offensive value has pretty much been strictly as a spot-up, 3-point shooter during his career. He has one of the worst shooting percentages on 2’s among rotation players since he entered the league.

But when the Hawks desperately needed an offensive boost to start the game at Cleveland, Babbitt provided it.

“We are telling him every time in practice and in games, ‘Shoot the ball,’” Dennis Schroder said. “He did it (Sunday). He was aggressive. It helps us, too, and especially me going to the basket. They don’t want to help off him.”