Hawks' Budenholzer explains why Howard doesn't close out games

Discarded veterans like Jose Calderon and Ersan Ilyasova have been called upon to provide key fourth-quarter minutes in the Atlanta Hawks' first-round battle with the Washington Wizards, while their $70-million center in Dwight Howard sits.

It's a strange sight to see, having Howard on the bench, especially for a Hawks team short on talent. Head coach Mike Budenholzer laid out his reasons following a gut-wrenching loss in Game 5.

"Lots of times that decision and the difference, whether it be Ersan or (Mike Muscala) or we even played four small guys with Paul (Millsap) ... you just become a team with a lot more space," Budenholzer told Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"More guys who are driving, driving into space, more shooting, playing faster, moving people more. There is just a greater pace and a greater space. Sometimes, we’ve been down.

"At one point (Wednesday), we were down nine with seven minutes to go. You may need to make a run, you may need to make a spurt, with a couple of open threes, a couple transition layups, some baskets out of the half-court getting to the basket, some cleaner looks. You may not be able to grind out in the more traditional situation. That’s kind of the gut call in a few of the games."

Through five games, all of which were close near the end, Howard has logged just 16 minutes total in the fourth quarter. He didn't see any time in the final frame in Game 2 and played just two minutes in Game 5 before getting yanked following a broken defensive sequence.

Budenholzer explains the Hawks need spacing and athleticism to defend in transition, two areas in which Howard can't provide at the moment.

"It’s more about the offense and more space, but our transition defense is critical to us, too," Budenholzer said. "They are putting a lot of pressure on us going back the other way. At times, it’s asking a lot of Dwight. He’s putting a lot of pressure going to the offensive boards and get second- and third-chances."

It doesn't help that Howard has played well below his capabilities. The 31-year-old has been unable to exploit Marcin Gortat on the low block as evidenced by his meager scoring average of 7.8 points on 46.9 percent shooting in the series.

The entire ordeal has Howard frustrated, but he vowed to remain supportive of his coach's decisions.

"I believe in our team," Howard said. "Whoever Coach puts on the floor is who he feels is the best at the moment. I trust my guys."