The Atlanta Hawks begin on Tuesday a busy stretch of four games in five nights sandwiched around Thanksgiving. The first pair of games pits the Hawks against the top two teams in the Eastern Conference: the Washington Wizards and the Toronto Raptors.

If there is one common feature of the Raptors and Wizards to this point in the season, it is that they have been led by strong point guard play. Toronto’s Kyle Lowry is averaging 18.8 points and 6.0 assists per game while shooting 47.6% from the field. Washington’s John Wall has eye-popping numbers too, dropping in 19.4 points per game to go with 9.1 assists and 2.7 steals.

The job of stopping them will fall on the shoulders of Jeff Teague. If Friday’s game against Detroit is any indication, then Teague is up for the job.

“Jeff Teague was very good,” coach Mike Budenholzer said after the game. “I think a lot of people talk about his points and his offense, but I thought his defense on the ball was very good. They run a ton of pick and rolls and he was kind of in it all night, and I’m really pleased with Jeff’s effort particularly on the defensive end of the court.”

The numbers certainly support Budenholzer’s praise. Teague and backup point guard Dennis Schroder harassed Detroit’s Brandon Jennings and D.J. Augustin into shooting a combined 6-for-23 for the field. Jennings and Augustin only registered a combined 3 assists as well.

Teague even snuffed out a pair of Augustin’s shots on blocks.

When asked about whether or not there was anything special in the defense that allowed him to deter the shots of Augustin and Jennings, Teague added “No, you know, watching film we just had to contest every shot, that’s how we’ve been taught.”

In the two games prior to Detroit — both losses — Teague’s primary defensive assignments managed to crank out 15 points and 10 assists (Jeremy Lin) and 20 points and 5 assists (Kyrie Irving). Will Wall and Lowry be able to do the same? The duo should pose a much stiffer test than Jennings and Augustin, and Teague’s defense on them may be a critical factor in determining the outcome of the games.

Teague will surely appreciate his Thanksgiving turkey all the more if it comes on the heels of a pair of wins.

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