1996–97 Atlanta Hawks season

1996–97 Atlanta Hawks season
Head coach	Lenny Wilkens
Owner(s)	Ted Turner
Arena	The Omni
Results
Record	56–26 (.683)
Place	Division: 2nd (Central) Conference: 4th (Eastern)
Playoff finish	East Conference Semifinals (eliminated 1-4)
Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television	Fox Sports South, WTBS, WATL
Radio	WCNN

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Hawks' 48th season in the National Basketball Association, and 29th season in Atlanta.^[1] In an effort to improve their team, the Hawks strengthened their defense by picking up free agent All-Star center Dikembe Mutombo,^[2] while re-signing Tyrone Corbin during the offseason. Other free agents included Eldridge Recasner, former Georgia Tech guard Jon Barry and Henry James, who was later on signed by the team in December. The Hawks struggled with a 5–6 start to the season, but later on posted a 14–2 record in January including a ten-game winning streak. The team also won 20 consecutive home games from November 12 to February 12. The Hawks finished second in the Central Division with a 56–26 record, while posting the third best home record in the league at 36–5.

Mutombo would capture the Defensive Player of the Year honors, as he finished second in the NBA in rebounding and blocked shots.^[3] He was also selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game along with Christian Laettner. Mutombo was not the only member of the club to excel on defense as guard Mookie Blaylock led the NBA in steals, while finishing second in the league with 221 three-point field goals. Meanwhile, Steve Smith continued to lead the Hawks in scoring with 20.1 points per game.

In the playoffs, the Hawks would be put to the test as they needed five games to get past the Detroit Pistons after trailing 2–1 in the first round. However, the Hawks would provide little challenge to the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference semifinals as they fell in five games to the eventual Champions, despite winning Game 2 at the United Center 103–95.^[4] It was also their final season playing at The Omni, which hosted its final game in a Game 4 loss to the Bulls, 89–80 on May 11, 1997.^[5] Following the season, Barry signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers, James re-signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Ken Norman retired.

Offseason

Draft picks

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College
1	28	Lauderdale, PriestPriest Lauderdale (from Seattle)[6]	Center	United States	Peristeri BC (Greece)

^[7]

Roster

Atlanta Hawks roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY-MM-DD) From 2.0 !SG 17 USA ! Barry, Jon 7000193040000000000♠6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Georgia Tech 1.0 !PG 10 USA ! Blaylock, Mookie 7000182880000000000♠6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Oklahoma 3.0 !SF 33 USA ! Corbin, Tyrone 7000198120000000000♠6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) DePaul 3.0 !SF 35 USA ! Hancock, Darrin 7000200659999999999♠6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Kansas 4.5 !PF 44 USA ! Henderson, Alan 7000205740000000000♠6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Indiana 3.0 !SF 42 USA ! James, Henry 7000203200000000000♠6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Saint Mary's 4.5 !PF 32 USA ! Laettner, Christian 7000210820000000000♠6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Duke 6.0 !C 15 USA ! Lauderdale, Priest 7000223520000000000♠7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) 325 lb (147 kg) Central State 4.5 !PF 2 USA ! Miller, Anthony  7000205740000000000♠6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Michigan State 6.0 !C 55 ZAI ! Mutombo, Dikembe 7000218440000000000♠7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) 260 lb (118 kg) Georgetown 4.5 !PF 28 USA ! Newbill, Ivano 7000205740000000000♠6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Georgia Tech 3.0 !SF 3 USA ! Norman, Ken  7000203200000000000♠6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Illinois 1.0 !PG 5 USA ! Recasner, Eldridge 7000190500000000000♠6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Washington 2.0 !SG 8 USA ! Smith, Steve 7000200659999999999♠6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Michigan State	Head coach Lenny Wilkens (Providence) Legend (C) Team captain (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended Injured Roster • Transactions

Roster Notes

• Rookie center Priest Lauderdale holds American and Bulgarian dual citizenship.
• Forward Darrin Hancock played in two stints with the Hawks during the season. He was signed by the team after being waived by the Phoenix Suns, who acquired him from the Milwaukee Bucks. After the Hawks waived him, he signed with the San Antonio Spurs where he would only play one game for them before being released, and re-signed by the Hawks for the rest of the season.^[8]

Depth chart

Pos.	Starting 5	Bench 1	Reserve	Inactive
C	Dikembe Mutombo	Ivano Newbill	Priest Lauderdale
PF	Christian Laettner	Alan Henderson		Anthony Miller
SF	Tyrone Corbin	Henry James	Darrin Hancock	Ken Norman
SG	Steve Smith	Jon Barry
PG	Mookie Blaylock	Eldridge Recasner

Regular season

Season standings

Central Division	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Road	Div
y-Chicago Bulls	69	13	.841	–	39–2	30–11	24–4
x-Atlanta Hawks	56	26	.683	13	36–5	20–21	17–11
x-Detroit Pistons	54	28	.659	15	30–11	24–17	17–11
x-Charlotte Hornets	54	28	.659	15	30–11	24–17	14–14
Cleveland Cavaliers	42	40	.512	27	25–16	17–24	13–15
Indiana Pacers	39	43	.476	30	21–20	18–23	11–17
Milwaukee Bucks	33	49	.402	36	20–21	13–28	10–18
Toronto Raptors	30	52	.366	39	18–23	12–29	6–22

^[9]

#	Eastern Conference
	Team	W	L	PCT	GB
1	z-Chicago Bulls	69	13	.841	–
2	y-Miami Heat	61	21	.744	8
3	x-New York Knicks	57	25	.695	12
4	x-Atlanta Hawks	56	26	.683	13
5	x-Detroit Pistons	54	28	.659	15
6	x-Charlotte Hornets	54	28	.659	15
7	x-Orlando Magic	45	37	.549	24
8	x-Washington Bullets	44	38	.537	25
9	Cleveland Cavaliers	42	40	.512	27
10	Indiana Pacers	39	43	.476	30
11	Milwaukee Bucks	33	49	.402	36
12	Toronto Raptors	30	52	.366	39
13	New Jersey Nets	26	56	.317	43
14	Philadelphia 76ers	22	60	.268	47
15	Boston Celtics	15	67	.183	54

z = clinched division title

y = clinched division title

x = clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1996-97 NBA Records
Team	ATL	BOS	CHA	CHI	CLE	DAL	DEN	DET	GSW	HOU	IND	LAC	LAL	MIA	MIL	MIN	NJN	NYK	ORL	PHI	PHO	POR	SAC	SAS	SEA	TOR	UTA	VAN	WAS
Atlanta	—	3–1	1–3	1–3	3–1	2–0	1–1	1–3	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	1–2	4–0	2–0	3–1	1–3	3–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–0	1–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	2–1
Boston	1–3	—	0–4	0–4	1–2	1–1	1–1	0–4	1–1	0–2	1–2	0–2	1–1	0–4	1–3	0–2	0–4	0–4	0–4	1–3	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	3–1	0–2	0–2	0–4
Charlotte	3–1	4–0	—	0–4	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	2–0	2–0	2–2	1–1	1–1	1–2	2–2	2–0	4–0	3–1	1–2	4–0	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–2	0–2	2–0	3–1
Chicago	3–1	4–0	4–0	—	3–1	2–0	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	4–0	2–0	1–1	2–2	4–0	2–0	3–1	2–2	3–0	4–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–1
Cleveland	1–3	2–1	1–3	1–3	—	2–0	1–1	2–2	1–1	0–2	3–1	2–0	1–1	0–4	2–2	2–0	4–0	1–3	2–2	3–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	0–2	0–2	3–1	1–1	2–0	1–3
Dallas	0–2	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	—	3–1	0–2	0–4	0–4	1–1	2–2	0–4	0–2	0–2	1–3	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–3	1–3	2–2	1–3	1–3	0–2	1–3	3–1	0–2
Denver	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–3	—	0–2	1–3	1–3	0–2	1–3	0–4	0–2	1–1	0–4	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	2–2	0–4	2–2	2–2	0–4	1–1	0–4	3–1	1–1
Detroit	3–1	4–0	2–2	1–3	2–2	2–0	2–0	—	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	0–4	3–1	2–0	4–0	1–2	2–2	2–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	3–1	1–1	2–0	4–0
Golden State	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	4–0	3–1	0–2	—	0–4	1–1	1–3	0–4	0–2	1–1	1–3	2–0	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–4	2–2	1–3	4–0	0–4	2–0	0–4	3–1	0–2
Houston	1–1	2–0	0–2	1–1	2–0	4–0	3–1	1–1	4–0	—	1–1	3–1	3–1	0–2	1–1	4–0	2–0	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–2	2–2	4–0	3–1	3–1	1–1	2–2	3–1	2–0
Indiana	1–3	2–1	2–2	0–4	1–3	1–1	2–0	1–3	1–1	1–1	—	2–0	1–1	1–3	2–2	2–0	2–2	1–3	1–3	3–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–0	0–2	2–0	1–3
L.A. Clippers	0–2	2–0	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–2	3–1	0–2	3–1	1–3	0–2	—	2–2	0–2	2–0	1–3	1–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–2	0–4	2–2	4–0	1–3	2–0	1–3	4–0	0–2
L.A. Lakers	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–0	4–0	1–1	4–0	1–3	1–1	2–2	—	1–1	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	4–0	1–3	4–0	2–2	3–1	1–1	1–3	4–0	2–0
Miami	2–1	4–0	2–1	2–2	4–0	2–0	2–0	4–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	—	4–0	1–1	3–1	1–3	2–2	3–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	0–2	3–1	0–2	2–0	3–1
Milwaukee	0–4	3–1	2–2	0–4	2–2	2–0	1–1	1–3	1–1	1–1	2–2	0–2	0–2	0–4	—	0–2	2–1	1–2	2–2	3–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	3–1	1–1	2–0	1–3
Minnesota	0–2	2–0	0–2	0–2	0–2	3–1	4–0	0–2	3–1	0–4	0–2	3–1	1–3	1–1	2–0	—	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–2	0–4	4–0	0–4	1–1	1–3	4–0	1–1
New Jersey	1–3	4–0	0–4	1–3	0–4	1–1	1–1	0–4	0–2	0–2	2–2	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–2	0–2	—	2–2	1–3	2–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–0	1–1	0–3	0–2	2–0	1–3
New York	3–1	4–0	1–3	2–2	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–1	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–1	1–1	2–2	—	3–1	3–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	0–2	3–0	1–1	2–0	4–0
Orlando	1–3	4–0	2–1	0–3	2–2	1–1	2–0	2–2	1–1	2–0	3–1	1–1	1–1	2–2	2–2	1–1	3–1	1–3	—	2–2	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–0	0–2	1–1	1–3
Philadelphia	0–4	3–1	0–4	0–4	0–3	0–2	1–1	1–2	0–2	0–2	0–3	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–3	1–1	2–2	2–3	2–2	—	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–3	0–2	2–0	1–3
Phoenix	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	3–1	2–2	2–0	4–0	2–2	1–1	2–2	0–4	0–2	1–1	1–3	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	—	1–3	4–0	3–1	2–2	0–2	1–3	2–2	1–1
Portland	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–2	1–1	3–1	4–0	1–1	2–2	2–2	1–1	4–0	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	2–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	3–1	—	2–2	4–0	1–3	0–2	2–2	4–0	0–2
Sacramento	0–2	2–0	0–2	0–2	0–2	2–2	2–2	1–1	3–1	0–4	1–1	2–2	0–4	0–2	2–0	4–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–4	2–2	—	3–1	1–3	1–1	0–4	4–0	0–2
San Antonio	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–0	3–1	2–2	0–2	0–4	1–3	1–1	0–4	2–2	0–2	1–1	0–4	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–3	0–4	1–3	—	0–4	1–1	1–3	1–3	0–2
Seattle	1–1	2–0	0–2	0–2	2–0	3–1	4–0	1–1	4–0	1–3	1–1	3–1	1–3	2–0	1–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–2	3–1	3–1	4–0	—	2–0	1–3	4–0	2–0
Toronto	0–4	1–3	2–2	1–3	1–3	2–0	1–1	1–3	0–2	1–1	0–4	0–2	1–1	1–3	1–3	1–1	3–0	0–3	0–4	3–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	0–2	—	1–1	1–1	2–2
Utah	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	3–1	4–0	1–1	4–0	2–2	2–0	3–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	3–1	2–2	4–0	3–1	3–1	1–1	—	4–0	2–0
Vancouver	0–2	2–0	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–3	1–3	0–2	1–3	1–3	0–2	0–4	0–4	0–2	0–2	0–4	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	2–2	0–4	0–4	3–1	0–4	1–1	0–4	—	1–1
Washington	1–2	4–0	1–3	1–2	3–1	2–0	1–1	0–4	2–0	0–2	3–1	2–0	0–2	1–3	3–1	1–1	3–1	0–4	3–1	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–0	0–2	2–2	0–2	1–1	—

Game log

1996–97 game log Total: 56–26 (Home: 36–5; Road: 20–21)
November: 9–7 (Home: 4–1; Road: 5–6) Game Date Time Team Score High points Location Attendance Record 1 November 1 at Miami Heat L 81-94 Miami Arena 15,133 0-1 2 November 2 vs Detroit Pistons L 78-90 Omni Coliseum 16,378 0-2 3 November 4 at Portland Trail Blazers W 94-76 Rose Garden Arena 21,567 1-2 4 November 5 at Seattle SuperSonics W 117-95 KeyArena at Seattle Center 17,072 2-2 5 November 7 at Sacramento Kings W 91-87 ARCO Arena 17,317 3-2 6 November 10 at Los Angeles Lakers L 85-92 Great Western Forum 16,097 3-3 7 November 12 vs Cleveland Cavaliers W 87-83 Omni Coliseum 4-3 8 November 13 at Boston Celtics L 85-103 FleetCenter 13,184 4-4 9 November 15 vs Miami Heat W 85-77 Omni Coliseum 16,378 5-4 10 November 16 at Chicago Bulls L 69-97 United Center 23,939 5-5 11 November 19 at Cleveland Cavaliers L 63-73 Gund Arena 14,182 5-6 12 November 21 at Milwaukee Bucks W 73-65 Bradley Center 14,698 6-6 13 November 23 at Toronto Raptors W 91-88 SkyDome 16,838 7-6 14 November 26 vs Vancouver Grizzlies W 101-80 Omni Coliseum 8-6 15 November 27 at Orlando Magic L 75-79 Orlando Arena 17,248 8-7 16 November 29 vs Washington Bullets W 110-81 Omni Coliseum 12,457 9-7
December: 7–4 (Home: 6–0; Road: 1–4) Game Date Time Team Score High points Location Attendance Record 17 December 3 vs Boston Celtics W 105-95 Omni Coliseum 10-7 18 December 4 at Detroit Pistons L 90-100 The Palace of Auburn Hills 14,574 10-8 19 December 7 vs Toronto Raptors W 101-75 Omni Coliseum 11,422 11-8 20 December 10 vs Denver Nuggets W 89-88 Omni Coliseum 12-8 21 December 14 vs Philadelphia 76ers W 106-81 Omni Coliseum 12,473 13-8 22 December 17 at Dallas Mavericks W 109-73 Reunion Arena 14,805 14-8 23 December 20 vs New Jersey Nets W 109-95 Omni Coliseum 12,884 15-8 24 December 21 at Charlotte Hornets L 93-98 Charlotte Coliseum 24,042 15-9 25 December 23 at New York Knicks L 76-82 Madison Square Garden 19,763 15-10 26 December 26 vs Chicago Bulls W 108-103 Omni Coliseum 16,378 16-10 27 December 28 at Washington Bullets L 86-97 US Airways Arena 11,797 16-11
January: 14–2 (Home: 9–0; Road: 5–2) Game Date Time Team Score High points Location Attendance Record 28 January 3 at New Jersey Nets W 95-85 Continental Airlines Arena 14,310 17-11 29 January 4 vs New York Knicks W 88-71 Omni Coliseum 16,378 18-11 30 January 7 vs Phoenix Suns W 105-103 (OT) Omni Coliseum 19-11 31 January 9 at Orlando Magic W 97-92 (OT) Orlando Arena 17,248 20-11 32 January 11 vs San Antonio Spurs W 87-82 (OT) Omni Coliseum 15,877 21-11 33 January 13 at Cleveland Cavaliers W 93-79 Gund Arena 14,565 22-11 34 January 14 vs Minnesota Timberwolves W 95-93 Omni Coliseum 14,032 23-11 35 January 16 vs Orlando Magic W 78-67 Omni Coliseum 16,378 24-11 36 January 18 vs Milwaukee Bucks W 94-71 Omni Coliseum 16,378 25-11 37 January 20 vs Charlotte Hornets W 106-97 Omni Coliseum 16,378 26-11 38 January 21 at Miami Heat L 91-94 Miami Arena 14,853 26-12 39 January 24 vs Washington Bullets W 117-105 (OT) Omni Coliseum 15,325 27-12 40 January 25 vs Boston Celtics W 95-90 Omni Coliseum 16,378 28-12 41 January 28 at Los Angeles Clippers W 112-96 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 29-12 42 January 30 at Utah Jazz L 96-102 Delta Center 19,911 29-13 43 January 31 at Vancouver Grizzlies W 87-76 General Motors Place 15,205 30-13
February: 8–5 (Home: 5–2; Road: 3–3) Game Date Time Team Score High points Location Attendance Record 44 February 2 at Denver Nuggets L 104-115 McNichols Sports Arena 13,122 30-14 45 February 4 at Golden State Warriors W 107-85 San Jose Arena 13,111 31-14 46 February 5 at Phoenix Suns L 81-99 America West Arena 19,023 31-15 47 February 12 vs Toronto Raptors W 106-84 Omni Coliseum 13,846 32-15 48 February 14 vs Chicago Bulls L 88-89 Omni Coliseum 16,378 32-16 49 February 15 at San Antonio Spurs W 109-89 Alamodome 26,809 33-16 50 February 17 at Houston Rockets L 98-127 The Summit 16,285 33-17 51 February 19 vs Indiana Pacers W 100-87 Omni Coliseum 16,378 34-17 52 February 21 vs Houston Rockets W 76-74 Omni Coliseum 16,378 35-17 53 February 22 vs Charlotte Hornets L 92-93 Omni Coliseum 16,378 35-18 54 February 24 vs Golden State Warriors W 106-100 Omni Coliseum 15,660 36-18 55 February 26 at Milwaukee Bucks W 79-72 Bradley Center 13,285 37-18 56 February 28 vs Los Angeles Lakers W 86-75 Omni Coliseum 16,378 38-18
March: 12–4 (Home: 9–1; Road: 3–3) Game Date Time Team Score High points Location Attendance Record 57 March 2 at Detroit Pistons L 75-82 The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 38-19 58 March 4 vs Cleveland Cavaliers W 93-88 Omni Coliseum 15,404 39-19 59 March 6 at Philadelphia 76ers W 117-104 CoreStates Center 13,802 40-19 60 March 7 vs Milwaukee Bucks W 90-80 Omni Coliseum 14,906 41-19 61 March 9 at Boston Celtics W 114-90 FleetCenter 16,931 42-19 62 March 11 vs Utah Jazz W 106-99 Omni Coliseum 14,475 43-19 63 March 12 at Indiana Pacers L 82-92 Market Square Arena 14,824 43-20 64 March 14 vs Seattle SuperSonics L 91-97 Omni Coliseum 16,378 43-21 65 March 15 at Chicago Bulls L 79-99 United Center 23,984 43-22 66 March 17 vs Orlando Magic W 112-107 (OT) Omni Coliseum 15,708 44-22 67 March 19 vs Indiana Pacers W 107-95 Omni Coliseum 14,099 45-22 68 March 21 vs Dallas Mavericks W 93-72 Omni Coliseum 13,809 46-22 69 March 23 at Toronto Raptors W 90-79 SkyDome 18,533 47-22 70 March 25 vs Portland Trail Blazers W 96-89 Omni Coliseum 15,256 48-22 71 March 27 vs Los Angeles Clippers W 103-88 Omni Coliseum 13,876 49-22 72 March 29 vs Sacramento Kings W 88-74 Omni Coliseum 14,942 50-22
April: 6–4 (Home: 3–1; Road: 3–3) Game Date Time Team Score High points Location Attendance Record 73 April 2 at Charlotte Hornets L 84-95 Charlotte Coliseum 24,042 50-23 74 April 4 vs Detroit Pistons W 103-89 Omni Coliseum 16,378 51-23 75 April 5 vs New York Knicks L 97-102 Omni Coliseum 16,378 51-24 76 April 9 at Philadelphia 76ers W 116-101 CoreStates Center 16,549 52-24 77 April 11 at Indiana Pacers W 104-92 Market Square Arena 16,403 53-24 78 April 12 at Minnesota Timberwolves W 80-66 Target Center 18,874 54-24 79 April 15 vs New Jersey Nets W 109-101 Omni Coliseum 14,458 55-24 80 April 16 at New York Knicks L 92-96 Madison Square Garden 19,763 55-25 81 April 19 vs Philadelphia 76ers W 136-104 Omni Coliseum 16,457 56-25 82 April 20 at New Jersey Nets L 92-108 Continental Airlines Arena 18,702 56-26
1996–97 season schedule

Playoffs

In the first round, Atlanta would need five games to get past the Detroit Pistons. But in the semifinals, they would lose five games to the Chicago Bulls. The Hawks won Game 2 at the United Center 103–95.

Eastern Conference First Round

(4) Atlanta Hawks vs. (5) Detroit Pistons Last Playoff Meeting: 1991 Eastern Conference First Round (Detroit won 3-2)

Game	Date	Home	Score	Visitor	Score	Record (ATL-DET)	Venue	Recap	Television
1	April 25	Atlanta	89	Detroit	75	1-0	Omni Coliseum, Atlanta	1
2	April 27	Atlanta	80	Detroit	93	1-1	Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia	2
3	April 29	Detroit	99	Atlanta	91	1-2	The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan	3
4	May 2	Detroit	82	Atlanta	94	2-2	Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan	4
5	May 4	Atlanta	84	Detroit	79	3-2	Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia	5	NBC
Atlanta wins series 3–2

Eastern Conference Semifinals

(1) Chicago Bulls vs. (4) Atlanta Hawks Last Playoff Meeting: 1993 Eastern Conference First Round (Chicago won 3-0)

Game	Date	Home	Score	Visitor	Score	Record (CHI-ATL)	Venue	Recap	Television
1	May 6	Chicago	100	Atlanta	97	1-0	United Center, Chicago	1	TNT
2	May 8	Chicago	95	Atlanta	103	1-1	United Center, Chicago, Illinois	2	TNT
3	May 10	Atlanta	80	Chicago	100	2-1	Omni Coliseum, Atlanta	3	NBC
4	May 11	Atlanta	80	Chicago	89	3-1	Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia	4	NBC
5	May 13	Chicago	107	Atlanta	92	4-1	United Center, Chicago, Illinois	5	TNT
Chicago wins series 4–1

Player statistics

Legend

Season

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3FG%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Alston, Derrick !Derrick Alston	2	0	5.5	.000	.	.000	2.0	.0	.0	.0	.0
Barry, Jon !Jon Barry	58	8	16.6	.407	.387	.804	1.7	2.0	.9	.1	4.9
Blaylock, Mookie !Mookie Blaylock	78	78	39.2	.432	.366	.753	5.3	5.9	2.7	.3	17.4
Boyce, Donnie !Donnie Boyce	22	2	7.0	.333	.125	.500	.7	.6	.5	.2	2.5
Burton, Willie !Willie Burton	24	2	15.8	.336	.283	.838	1.7	.5	.3	.1	6.2
Corbin, Tyrone !Tyrone Corbin	70	65	32.9	.422	.356	.796	4.2	1.8	1.3	.1	9.5
Hancock, Darrin !Darrin Hancock	14	0	6.1	.481	.	.667	.9	.5	.5	.1	2.4
Henderson, Alan !Alan Henderson	30	0	16.7	.475	.	.600	3.9	.8	.7	.2	6.6
James, Henry !Henry James	53	15	17.8	.408	.420	.833	1.5	.4	.2	.0	6.7
Laettner, Christian !Christian Laettner	82	82	38.3	.486	.352	.816	8.8	2.7	1.2	.8	18.1
Lauderdale, Priest !Priest Lauderdale	35	0	5.1	.551	.000	.565	1.2	.3	.0	.3	3.2
Miller, Anthony !Anthony Miller	1	0	14.0	.000	.	.	7.0	.0	.0	.0	.0
Mutombo, Dikembe !Dikembe Mutombo	80	80	37.2	.527	.	.705	11.6	1.4	.6	3.3	13.3
Newbill, Ivano !Ivano Newbill	72	2	11.8	.440	.	.385	2.8	.3	.4	.2	1.4
Norman, Ken !Ken Norman	17	0	12.9	.287	.158	.333	2.3	.7	.4	.2	3.8
Recasner, Eldridge !Eldridge Recasner	71	4	17.0	.423	.414	.879	1.6	1.3	.5	.1	5.7
Smith, Steve !Steve Smith	72	72	39.1	.429	.335	.847	3.3	4.2	.9	.3	20.1

Playoffs

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3FG%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Barry, Jon !Jon Barry	2	0	4.5	.000	.000	.	.	.	.	.	.
Blaylock, Mookie !Mookie Blaylock	10	10	44.1	.396	.329	.667	7.0	6.5	2.1	.2	16.4
Corbin, Tyrone !Tyrone Corbin	10	10	36.4	.457	.351	1.000	4.3	2.0	.4	.2	10.6
Hancock, Darrin !Darrin Hancock	6	0	5.5	.400	.000	.000	.8	.2	.2	.2	.7
Henderson, Alan !Alan Henderson	10	0	13.6	.559	.	.769	3.3	.	.1	.3	5.8
James, Henry !Henry James	8	0	5.6	.231	.333	.	.1	.3	.1	.	1.0
Laettner, Christian !Christian Laettner	10	10	40.3	.405	.190	.857	7.2	2.6	1.0	.8	17.6
Lauderdale, Priest !Priest Lauderdale	3	0	2.3	.000	.	.	.7	.	.	.	.
Mutombo, Dikembe !Dikembe Mutombo	10	10	41.5	.628	.	.719	12.3	1.3	.1	2.6	15.4
Newbill, Ivano !Ivano Newbill	3	0	1.7	.	.	.	.3	.3	.	.	.
Recasner, Eldridge !Eldridge Recasner	10	0	12.1	.423	.364	.625	1.1	.9	.2	.	3.1
Smith, Steve (basketball) !Steve Smith	10	10	42.1	.396	.327	.824	3.9	1.7	.4	.1	18.9

Awards and records

Awards

• Dikembe Mutombo, NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award
• Dikembe Mutombo, NBA All-Defensive First Team
• Mookie Blaylock, NBA All-Defensive Second Team

Transactions

Trades

July 15, 1996

• Traded Stacey Augmon, and Grant Long to the Detroit Pistons for a 1997 second round draft pick, a 1999 first round draft pick, and a 1999 second round draft pick.

Free agents

July 15, 1996

• Signed Dikembe Mutombo as a free agent.

August 13, 1996

• Signed Jon Barry as a free agent.

September 12, 1996

• Signed Willie Burton as a free agent.
• Signed Tyrone Corbin as a free agent.

September 27, 1996

• Signed Eldridge Recasner as a free agent.

October 2, 1996

• Signed Ivano Newbill as a free agent.
• Signed Melvin Booker as a free agent.

October 28, 1996

• Waived Willie Burton.
• Waived Melvin Booker.

November 13, 1996

• Signed Derrick Alston as a free agent.

November 14, 1996

• Signed Willie Burton as a free agent.
• Signed Anthony Miller as a free agent.

November 26, 1996

• Waived Derrick Alston.

December 20, 1996

• Signed Henry James as a free agent.

January 2, 1997

• Signed Darrin Hancock as a free agent.

January 7, 1997

• Waived Darrin Hancock.
• Waived Willie Burton.

March 4, 1997

• Waived Donnie Boyce.

March 5, 1997

• Signed Darrin Hancock to the first of two 10-day contracts.

March 25, 1997

• Signed Darrin Hancock to a contract for the rest of the season.

See also

• 1996–97 NBA season

References