Hawks' Tim Hardaway: Will start Friday vs. Heat

Hardaway will start at shooting guard Friday against the Heat, Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Analysis:

Though Thabo Sefolosha (groin) is set to return from a nine-game absence, coach Mike Budenholzer wants to ease the veteran swingman back into the mix, so Sefolosha will come off the bench Friday and for a few games after that, according to Vivlamore. Hardaway has certainly made a strong case to stick in the starting five even though Sefolosha is now healthy, as he averaged 19.4 points (on 44.7% shooting), 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.2 three-pointers in 35.3 minutes per game over the past nine contests.