A Key to the Series 04.26.10 - 03:28pm

A veteran of many NBA circles, Jerry Stackhouse knows plenty about what it takes for a team to win in the playoffs and go deep.

So when Stack noted that the Bucks need to put a clamp on Hawks forward Josh Smith, the Bucks listened and the dividends were immediate.

Stack battling for a loose ball on Saturday night (Getty Images).

Jerry scored 16 points and was a perfect 8-for-8 from the foul line as the Milwaukee Bucks took care of business Saturday night, taking down the Atlanta Hawks 107-89 in Game 3 of their first round playoff series. With their victory, the Bucks cut Atlanta's edge in half and now trail the Hawks 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.

Before signing with the Bucks in January, No. 24 expected he might sign with the Hawks after spending much of the offseason getting back in to game shape with Josh Smith and the rest of the Atlanta team. From that time, Stack grew a bond with Smith, as he told the Associated Press:

"I’m like a big brother to him and I’m real proud of him from what he’s been able to do, how he’s grown as player from where he was to the things he’s doing for that team to make them who they are right now,” Stackhouse said. "He’s the key to them, in my opinion. Joe Johnson is Joe Johnson, but if Josh is playing at a real high level, flying around, rebounding the ball, doing all the things he’s done, they’re pretty tough to beat."

Just a week ago, it was Smith who starred in game two after nearly hitting on a triple-double. Milwaukee locked in on Smith in Game 3, putting their best defender, Luc Richard Mbah A Moute on him and limiting the versatile forward to just seven points.

With Smith kept silent, Atlanta struggled, showing that No. 24 could be on to something. If the Bucks can once again contain Smith, they could be able to get a much-needed game four victory.

TOP GM

Bucks’ General Manager John Hammond was named the NBA Executive of the Year Saturday after putting together a team that finished with 12 more wins than the previous season and helping the franchise reach the playoffs for the first time in four years.

Among the excellent moves, which helped Hammond earn the award was the mid-season signing of Jerry Stackhouse. Stack provided veteran leadership and a necessary spark off the bench after Michael Redd was lost for the season. Bucks’ center Andrew Bogut commended the work of Hammond, as he told the Associated Press:

"He made some good moves in midseason that changed the flow. It wasn’t just offseason. He was active in the trade window, he was active signing Jerry (Stackhouse). He made moves for a team that was supposed to finish last, and we’re battling here in a playoff series."

NEXT UP

Game 4 is a pivotal one for the Bucks.

Either they go back to Atlanta with the series tied and will have a chance to return to Milwaukee, or they go down 3-1 with an elimination game looming at Atlanta's Phillips Arena.

Game 4 tips off at 7:30 CST and you can see all the action on NBA TV.

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