Hawks' Bazemore to start Game 3 in place of Korver

Despite losing the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers, reserve wing Kent Bazemore insists that his Atlanta Hawks are the better team.

Now he'll get a chance to put his money where his mouth is.

With Kyle Korver done for the postseason due to a severe ankle sprain, Bazemore will draw the start at shooting guard for Sunday's Game 3.

While he's been serviceable off the bench for the Hawks, averaging 4.4 points and 2.7 rebounds and playing competent perimeter defense in the postseason, Bazemore is a limited offensive player. Swapping him in for Korver should make things that much harder for the Hawks, who are already struggling to score against the Cavs.

After canning 36.4 percent of his threes in the regular season, Bazemore is down to just 19 percent in the playoffs, and his presence should allow the Cavaliers - who have already been sagging off point guard Jeff Teague - to further seal off the middle of the floor.

The Hawks score 7.2 fewer points per 100 possessions when Bazemore is on the court.

In other words, he's going to need a great big wad of bills.