Hawks' Walter Tavares: Double-doubles off bench Thursday

Tavares totaled 15 points (7-8 FG, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds, an assist and a block over 21 minutes in Thursday's 104-83 preseason victory over the Grizzlies.

The second-year center was outstanding while pacing the Hawks bench, serving as a dominating presence down low. At 7-foot-3, Tavares serves as a monstrous roadblock to the basket and turned in a solid Summer League performance that substantiated that potential (9.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.7 blocks across six games). Although the oft-injured Tiago Splitter currently slots in behind Dwight Howard on the depth chart at the five, Tavares will have a chance to give the coaching staff something to think about if he can take advantage of his preseason opportunities.