Hawks to rest Millsap, Teague, Carroll against Lakers

A date against the lowly Los Angeles Lakers to kick off a back-to-back was apparently incentive enough for Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer to rest his starters. 

Jeff Teague, Paul Millsap and DeMarre Carroll are all getting the night off for the Sunday evening contest at Staples Center. The Hawks face the Sacramento Kings on Monday night to close out a stretch of three games in four nights. 

Atlanta, with a comfortable 10-game lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers for first in the Eastern Conference, can afford to rest its key players as it prepares for the playoffs. The only thing the Hawks have left to play for this season is the best record in the NBA, as they've already punched their ticket to the playoffs and will shortly secure the top spot in the conference. 

With six more victories, the 51-14 Hawks can match the all-time single-season franchise mark for wins. The 1993-94 Hawks and 1986-87 team each won 57 games.