Hawks get Jalen Johnson back, find another way to keep winning

The Hawks gave up 70 points in the first half Saturday. Fortunately for them, they had another half to do something about it.

They did plenty, rallying past the Nets for their fourth straight win behind Jalen Johnson’s return and a defense that finally started making Brooklyn uncomfortable.

Johnson scored 30 points on 64 percent shooting, adding seven rebounds and six assists in his first game since spraining his ankle on Halloween.

That’s a pretty useful player to welcome back.

As Kahlil McCuller of Hawks On SI detailed, the Hawks initially prioritized protecting the paint. The Nets responded by making nine first-half 3-pointers on 50 percent shooting from deep.

Atlanta adjusted, tightened its perimeter coverage and began turning defense into offense. The Hawks finished with 28 points off 22 Nets turnovers and piled up 70 points in the paint.

They needed that change after falling behind by 17 in the opening quarter. Even entering the fourth, they still had seven points to make up.

Then came the finish. The Hawks outscored the Nets by 14 in the final period, including a 10-0 run in the last minute.

Quin Snyder would surely prefer fewer early problems to solve. But getting Johnson back while continuing to win gives the Hawks something to feel good about.

They’re finding ways to recover. The next step is making fewer recoveries necessary.