“The coaches were shouting and shouting at me: ‘Take the kids out so we can give them a rest!’ said McMillan with a smile. “But it’s time to play. It’s time to play. We have to be ready when we go to Cleveland.” Atlanta will play the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, with the winner advancing to the Eastern Conference playoffs as the eighth seed against No. 1 in Miami. 2 About If the Hawks play with the energy and aggression they put up in Wednesday’s third quarter, they could prepare for a second consecutive row in the conference finals, where the Milwaukee Bucks eliminated them in six games last year. The Hornets’ forward Miles Bridges enjoys Atlanta opportunities if attacking De Andre Hunter and center-back Clint Capella score as they did on Wednesday. Hunter had 22 points, including 16 in the third quarter, when Atlanta beat the Hornets 42-24. Capela finished with 15 points to continue with 17 rebounds. Both also played just about 30 minutes in a game against Atlanta that led by 26 points entering the last ten minutes. “If they both play well in defense, it will be difficult,” said Bridges. “They did a great job on it last year, and that’s why they’ve done it so far.” Hunter specifically gave the Hawks a boost they needed with star guard Trae Young playing from the pitch. Yang made three of 13 goal attempts in the first half and finished 8-to-24. “Being aggressive and helping this team score helps a lot for this team,” said Hunter. Hunter’s scoring and defense caused problems for Bridges, who was sent off with 6:39 remaining after he lost his temper while complaining about a goalkeeper call. Bridges’ frustration reached the point where he threw his mouthpiece at a young fan who was making fun of him as he headed for the locker room. “I usually do not let my emotions take over,” he said. “To be in one of the greatest games I have ever played and that happens, that is unacceptable to me.” The frustration was a tribute to how well Hunter and the Hawks played on both ends. It was in such a flow that it is easy to understand why McMillan could have left the basics more than his assistants wanted with Cleveland and possibly the playoffs ahead. But that aggression continued to show the Hawks with the big lead that McMillan should have liked. “When we take the lead, we take it, as a coach [sometimes] he says, passive, “Capela said.” We have to keep playing at the highest level. “