Hawks News: Paul Millsap Admits To Being Nervous In Return To Utah

The first time Atlanta Hawks power forward Paul Millsap returned to Salt Lake City to face his former team, the Utah Jazz, in front of the fan base that used to cheer him on, Millsap went with the flow not knowing what to expect.

Friday's 98-92 Hawks win marked the second time Millsap has returned to SLC, and he was a lot more nervous this time around.

"I didn't know what to expect the first time, so I was just out there," he said after the game, via Sarah Thomas of Deseret News. "I was more nervous this time. Knowing what to expect and getting out there, I shot 2 for 11, so that might have had a little something to do with it."

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While Millsap shot just 18 percent from the floor, he was a perfect 10-for-10 from the foul line, posting 15 points to go with 11 rebounds.

Such a performance at the charity stripe was crucial for Atlanta in withstanding a late rally by the Jazz in front of a boisterous crowd that Millsap affectionately terms as "vicious."

"This crowd's always in the game; they (the Jazz) feed off of it," Millsap said. "It's a tough place to play."

The Hawks are 2-0 on their current three-game Western swing (including a 115-107 over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday). The road trip concludes on Monday when Atlanta visits the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center.