Larry Drew today was named NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for the month of December 2012 after the Hawks went 10-5, equalling the East’s best record. It’s the first Coach of the Month honor of Drew’s career, and he becomes just the fourth Atlanta coach (following Mike Fratello, current assistant coach/consultant Bob Weiss, Lenny Wilkens) to receive that recognition.
The Hawks reeled off winning streaks of four (12/22-12/29), three (12/5-12/8) and two (12/12-12/13) games during the month recording a 6-2 home mark and a 4-3 road record.
The Hawks won double-digit games during December for the second-time-in-three-years, and for the 11th time in Atlanta history. Atlanta’s scoring output increased by 3.4 points per game over November (96.2 ppg to 99.6 ppg) and rebounding improved plus-3.0 (39.4 rpg to 42.4 rpg).
The team compiled 20-or-more-assists in the final 10 games of the month, including a season-high 35 vs. Detroit on 12/26. The Hawks went 2-0 in overtime for the month, and were 4-1 on the second night of back-to-backs (now an NBA-best 7-1 on the season). From 12/26-12/31, Atlanta made 10-or-more three-pointers in four consecutive games for the first time in team history.
At 20-10 overall, the Hawks own the best road record in the East at 9-5.
Other nominees for the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month were Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, Frank Vogel of Indiana and New York’s Mike Woodson.
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