Paying the price for a big win
Zaza Pachulia and the Hawks soared Monday night over the Heat in Miami. Now all they have to do is produce an encore Wednesday night at home.
MIAMI - Mike Bibby got cracked in the nose and poked in the eye.
Josh Smith got the skin on the side of his face scratched off in three places.
Joe Johnson finished the game hobbling and was later spotted with his right foot in a bucket of ice before he was sent off to get examined to determine the extent of the damage.
Everyone saw Zaza Pachulia’s right eye, darkened around the edges by an unidentified flying object (or an errant elbow) that he doesn’t remember connecting.
Even Hawks equipment man extraordinaire Zac Walsh went down during the game (food poisoning) and was reportedly left behind at a local hospital to recover.
Oh, yeah, the Hawks paid the price for their monumental 81-71 Game 4 win at AmericanAirlines Arena a couple hours ago.
They paid dearly.
And they’d gladly do it again and again and again, if it means snatching back home court advantage in their first round playoff series against the Miami Heat every time.
Things got physical Monday night and the Hawks rose to the challenge, leading from start to finish in a wild game that could eventually define their season.
Obviously, there’s plenty of work still to be done.
But none of it would be possible without what on Monday night.
“Well, it’s 2-2 in the series and you say that we have the home court advantage now,” said Pachulia, the Hawks’ Game 4 hero, “but we did have home court advantage after Game 1 and everybody thought we were going to win two games at home. But we lost [Game 2] at home. We still have to win two more games. We have to use our advantage and play the same way we played [to win Game 4].”
If that means sacrificing their bodies again, so be it.
“Well, it wasn’t obvious when it happened,” Pachulia said of his black eye, “and it happened in Game 3. I just felt it burning during the game and then I touched my eye and it was already swollen. But watching the tape I think happened on the rebound when me and James Jones were fighting for it. It happens, though, I look like Rocky Balboa.”
Pachulia set the tone with his rugged play early. And the Heat felt it, particularly Heat center Jermaine O’Neal, who couldn’t push the bigger Pachulia around the way he did Al Horford in Games 2 and 3.
“He was tough down there,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of Pachulia. “He was pretty much doing everything in traffic. Bodies were flying. Loose balls, he seemed like he came up with every one of them. He had a major impact on the game. Eighteen rebounds … he played very well.”
Well enough to help the Hawks’ bench crew outscore the Heat’s reserves a whopping 25-2. This after being outscored 37-20 in Game 3.
“They made all the plays,” Jones said. “Zaza was the guy who every time they needed a big play, he made it. Whether it was a rebound, a tip or a layup, he was the momentum breaker tonight and i think he kind of sealed our fate.”
NOT THAT THE HAWKS DIDN’T TRY and give this one away with their inexplicable power failure just before halftime.
Leading by 21 points (44-23) with 4:37 to play before the break, the Hawks watched the Heat go on a 19-2 run to pull to within four points, 46-42 at halftime – and that includes those crazy four-point plays in 11 seconds by Jones to energize the crowd and frighten Hawks fans around the globe.
But the Hawks never surrendered their lead. They kept their composure in a hostile environment, showcasing a mettle and maturity that had been lacking previously.
“We played defense like we did in Game 1,” Smith said. “We just got after them the whole game. We took control of the game from the tip and we had to do that to get the fans out of it early. Fighting through adversity shows the character of this team. That was a big win for us.”
BACK-TO-BACK wins for Wade’s team produced back spasms for the Heat superstar Monday night.
That might explain his 9-for-26 shooting effort, and yes, it was as dismal as it looked on the stat sheet. But how bad was Wade’s back if he could find a way to launch 26 shots?
As bad as his back was, the Hawks’ defense on Wade was that sound.
“We just switched off the pick-and-rolls,” Johnson said. “We even had our [centers] out there guarding him at times.”
Now comes the hard part, doing it again Wednesday night in Game 5.
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756 comments Add your comment
Hot Hot Heat
April 30th, 2009
12:03 am
What happened to all the South Beach booty lovers on the boards?
Mighty quiet in here after a BLOW OUT LOSS!!!!
And what happened to Wade’s sore back? More like a sore ass.
Penis
April 30th, 2009
12:05 am
Hey EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN,
Me, you, and Big Ray in 1 hour. The usual place.
KevinA
April 30th, 2009
12:06 am
I think a player like jason maxiel from Detroit is little used, cheap and a free agent would be a great fit. They will be making big changes nest year. I wonder how he fits in with their future.
EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN
April 30th, 2009
12:07 am
I’M STARTING A GAY HAWKS FAN CLUB! ANYBODY WANT TO JOIN ME?
Penis
April 30th, 2009
12:09 am
You mean besides Big Ray?
Penis
April 30th, 2009
12:10 am
Count me in, as long as I’m a Member-at-Large.
IF…you know what I mean…
EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN
April 30th, 2009
12:10 am
HEY PENIS,
JUST MAKE SURE YOU ARE THROBBING WITH VEINS BURSTING, AS USUAL. I CAN’T WAIT!
Melvin
April 30th, 2009
12:10 am
Should have known that TNT would show Josh missed dunk over and over again. Had that been DWade, Kobe or Lebron it would have been they were trying to do something for the fans. But since it was Josh, it’s a dumb play by a knucklehead
EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN
April 30th, 2009
12:11 am
MR. PENIS,
YOU ARE LARGE AND IN CHARGE! PUNISH ME!
Penis
April 30th, 2009
12:12 am
You’ll just have to wait your turn, big fella, after WHO DIED…?, gusman, and Reality.
And Big Ray.
EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN
April 30th, 2009
12:13 am
OK PENIS – IT’S ME, YOU, AND BIG RAY (I HOPE HE’S AS BIG AS HIS NAME SUGGESTS). ANY GAY HEAT FANS OUT THERE? YOU ARE WELCOME AS WELL – ONLY THE MEN, OF COURSE.
leroy
April 30th, 2009
12:15 am
Hey EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN,
I’m sorry to say – I like you much better as a disgusting bigot.
leroy
April 30th, 2009
12:17 am
Since when did this become an X-rated Hawks blog?
Michael Gearon, Jr.
April 30th, 2009
12:18 am
You Hawks fans happy now? Finally got your damn T-shirts!!
Right, SouthAfrican09?? YOU HAPPY NOW???!!!
Ryan Cameron
April 30th, 2009
12:20 am
This blog is OFFENSIVE!!!
EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN
April 30th, 2009
12:20 am
HEY PENIS,
I HAVE TO WAIT FOR YOU TO FINISH WITH THE FOUR HUNKS BEFORE I GET MINE? WHAT HAPPENED TO SLOPPY SECONDS?
The Truth
April 30th, 2009
12:21 am
Sekou
When are you or AJC going to clean this blog up? I’m getting sick to my stomach.
EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN
April 30th, 2009
12:23 am
I LOVE YOU RYAN CAMERON. CAN’T GET YOU OUT OF MY DREAMS! ARE YOU SINGLE? I BET YOU’RE A BEAST IN BED.
EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN
April 30th, 2009
12:25 am
HEY TRUTH,
I’LL BET YOU’RE ONE CUTIE PIE! SMOOCHES !!
Arthur "Shoots" Blanks
April 30th, 2009
12:36 am
the draft is over, can i join the club?
tiger woo
April 30th, 2009
12:48 am
My guess is Horford is definitely out for game 6. Great win, Hawks! and Heat boys thought it was over after game 3. Not!
Najeh Davenpoop
April 30th, 2009
1:49 am
I’m watching Inside the NBA right now, and they don’t seem to be criticizing Josh Smith as much because it’s poor sportsmanship but more because they think it will fire up D-Wade. If this is what it takes to fire up a so-called MVP candidate in the playoffs, maybe he doesn’t deserve those MVP votes.
I posted this on Bradley’s blog and I’ll post it here again — there is nothing different from what Josh Smith tried to do on that play and what LeBron James does in every game when the Cavs are up by 20. Nobody criticizes him for his fast break windmills because he’s a superstar. By that standard it’s hypocritical to criticize Josh Smith for that. I was at the game and I can say for a fact when everyone saw Josh running ahead of the pack the place was ready to explode, and quite honestly we would have been disappointed if he hadn’t done something spectacular.
THE REAL EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN
April 30th, 2009
2:34 am
PLEASE ROCK HUDSON LITTLE BOY WHO WAS RAISED BY ELTON JOHN STOP USING MY BLOG NAME EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN.
YOU WANT A REAL STRONG BLACKMAN LIKE ME TO BE GAY,BUT NOPE BUDDY I BELIEVE GAYS SHOULD BE STONED. THIS IS WHAT SISSY COWARDS DO WHEN THEY HAVE NO SUBSTANCE TO TALK ABOUT,BECAUSE WHEN A PERSON LIKE ME SPEAK THE TRUTH,THE TRUTH HURTS ALOT OF PEOPLE WHITE, GAY, BLACK UNCLE TOMS ETC!
THE REAL EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN
April 30th, 2009
2:43 am
TO THE FAKE EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN,YOU CANT FOOL THE BLOGGERS WITH YOUR GAY TALK BECAUSE I SUPPOSE TO BE A RACIST BLACK GUY,NOT SOME WHITE GAY GUY PRETENDING TO BE ME.
Hms
April 30th, 2009
5:04 am
Yeah you heard him. He is a brave little racist damn you! How dare you try to make him out to be anything other than the brave soul that he is! It takes nerves and balls of steel to proudly proclaim your radical racial issues here in virtual reality land, where no one can see you or know your true name or identity! All hail to the heroic hater!
Yeah whatever.
vava74
April 30th, 2009
5:33 am
Sh*t people, we are on the brink of going to the second round and all that you think of to talk about is racism and stupid childish chatter???
KevinA, I don’t agree, fouls do not “just happen” if you followed games 2 through 5, you should have noticed that calls were mostly against us on a consistent basis. On game 4, the refs were not expecting a Zaza bigger than life and more effective than Al Horford and their (the NBA’s) plan backfired.
Last night, fortunately, the officiating improved marginally and JJ got the calls he deserves and never gets when he goes into the paint, but before than, we had 3 players with 2 fouls after 5 minutes and then Bibby had to sit out during almost all of the 3rd quarter with 4 fouls on account of a small push called offensive foul.
The list would go on and on, and yesterday we were fortunate to have a slightly better officiating.
In relation to Josh, you are wrong: you cannot trust him to carry the team because he does not follow the game plan. He is not supposed to launch stupid jumpers when he is obviously a poor outside shooter.
If he stuck to the game plan and drove to the basket, set picks and rolled and hit the boards, we could trust him. This way, he gets us IN and OUT of the games with his inconsistency.
He does not intend to do wrong and I like him a lot, however, if he does not grow a hint of a brain, he will never be trustworthy and will kill us more times than save us.
He consistently lauches 5 to 7 jumpers which are completely unexcusable, making less than 20% of them, which translates into only about 3 ppg and providing the opponents with easy fast breaks since he bricks them so hard. If he drove to the basket he could get from the same possessions at least 50% conversions, PLUS FOULS, translating into a minium of 7 ppg out of these possessions AND LESS opposing fast breaks because when he misses near the basket, he has the opportunity to at least challenge the rebound with his jumping and delay the kick out.
In relation to Maxiell, he would be a great pick up but also a difficult match on the team’s scheme: he is too short to play C and we already have 2 serviceable PF in Horford and Smith (if he stuck to his game). Hence, we would remain undersized.
THE REAL EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN
April 30th, 2009
6:54 am
vote me for TOY!!!
TEABAGGER OF THE YEAR
doc
April 30th, 2009
7:41 am
btw, a critical error on coach woodson last night not subbing acie in to make a foul on the play after horford limped to the line instead of bibby wasting one of his to make the substitution on the next series. i hope woody learned from that bonehead maneuver and tucked it away for the next time. that is where his own inexperience hurts.
woody = top ten coy
Reality
April 30th, 2009
8:01 am
doc that makes absolutely no sense.
learn english you idiot
JayZee!
April 30th, 2009
8:02 am
LOL. Heat “very insulted” by Smoove’s between-the-legs dunk and Spoelstra said we tried to turn it into a pickup game and embarrass them at the end…Yeah, that’s why we had our BENCH IN, stupid ugly clown
Reggie
April 30th, 2009
8:05 am
Well you could haven at least had JJ foul who didn’t have foul trouble.
Da Real Real
April 30th, 2009
8:13 am
I agree with what some of you are saying about the Josh Smith between the legs attempt. I was at the game to Najeh and I can agree with you that everybody was expecting something from Josh, and not one of his everyday one handed dunks…I thought at least a windmill or something but when we seen what he did and missed there was a quick thrill and then a…uh oh moment there. Not because we thought he was showboating or anything but because we knew Woody would be standing over there pouting and after a quick look over to the bench there he was with arms folded and I can tell he was looking at Josh.
If that dunk is what it takes for those guys to get fired up I’d say that they may be in trouble come Friday night. I honestly don’t expect a win because I don’t know what we’ll get out of our team, but now the tables have been turned yet again in this series. The Heat are the team that’s gotten beat by more than 10 the past two games. I would think that would fire a team up more than a missed dunk attempt. I know that’s what there coach will try and use which is fine for him but bring up the fact that you’ve let the Hawks of all teams bully you around in your arena and here in Atlanta. I’m sure the Hawks will go down there and attempt to do it again.
doc
April 30th, 2009
8:26 am
reality tell me why it was smart to leave bibby in the game as he had to sit when he picked up his third and fourth fouls respectively in the second and third quarters? bibby was on last night as well being a huge reason we were up early. i think he had 15 points when he had to sit due to fouls in the second quarter.
THE REAL EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN
April 30th, 2009
8:26 am
Say it loud, I’m gay and I’m proud !!
doc
April 30th, 2009
8:33 am
look josh plays with what most players should, NO FEAR. his bone head mistakes are when he is pushing the envelope, just like last night playing the game like most would dare to if they came close to that ability. i want him to be creative. we know what happens when he plays tentative and no one likes it. go to it josh! dont let these knuckle heads squelch ya bro, not even your top ten coy woody! also some of his greatest plays are in such a setting … no fear dude. love it! stay positive and believe behind josh, he is the only one who thinks they have a chance against labron and company better be behind him.
JOSH = MVP!
Dan
April 30th, 2009
8:38 am
Two things I am totally convinced about after game 6:
1. Wade is a drama queen. What’s up with laying on the ground for 5 minutes, before being escorted to the locker room. Then, he comes back a few minutes later, all for a bumped head. Give me a f’ing break! That guy hams it up for the cameras almost as LeBron James.
The “D-Wade Sucks” chant was in full force at the end of the 3rd last night. I loved it!
2. Hawks are better than these guys. They just are. All the talk from our Heat friends about how we have no bench…ummm…we blew you out last night with two starters out. So…..I think we can end the “Hawks have no bench” horsesh#t starting now…
WHO DIED…? You know who Mario West is now? I f’ing love that guy. I know D-Wade knows who he is. Mario West will never not play hard. And, I love how Wade try to clear out one-on-one against West at the end of the half and was stopped. Mario, much to the dismay of Wade, does not really f’ing care that Wade is the media wonder boy.
Dan
April 30th, 2009
8:39 am
Oh…one more thing…To the people ripping Joe Johnson lately…sshhhhhh. Just stop that. Thank you.
calico cat
April 30th, 2009
8:48 am
Way to go THE REAL EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN !!!
Kick open the closet door – stand up and be counted . . .
Don’t ever be ashamed of your sexual orientation !!! Love ya !!
Oh, my bad – let’s get back on topic . . .
GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!
kwooden1
April 30th, 2009
9:05 am
Doc, I really believe these guys took one more step last night. I haven’t seen all their games this year (maybe 10-12), but this is by far the best execution I’ve seen. They rotated the ball to start their possessions (no one pass and shoot), they got the ball to players in scoring position and they were making the extra pass. JJ finally started to play his game and not put so much pressure on himself. I hate to see Horford go down because brings a level of basketball skill that Zaza and Solo don’t have right now.
I don’t really have a problem with JSmoove’s dunk attempt, only that he missed. (2 points we didn’t get) But what I did like is that the next play he got a rebound and passed ahead to JJ for an easy dunk. Smoove will always try and makeup for his mistakes!
I will say this about Woody staying as the coach. If the HAWKS can execute his set plays like they did last night, I might be able to live with the fact that he doesn’t have a good offensive system. I believe they can win, even a CHAMPIONSHIP, if they learn to execute all they’re set plays at a high level. You can get away with an imbalanced team if they execute and you have guys that can play different positions. Detroit has been good for years with no true center and a scoring PG when they had Billups.
Friday night I really hope that Horford and/or Marvin can go, especially Horford. JS can’t do it alone as said before and I don’t think Solo is ready to be a “go to” guy in the post. But, I like Solo’s aggressiveness and length.
GO HAWKS!!!!
doc
April 30th, 2009
9:23 am
kwooden it was a good game last night the next win if it is the next two games with the heat is a great win. agree it was exciting to see the offense move and not get stuck in the holding pattern we have seen in the past. we see what can happen to teams that have been made by the star system, they work if they stay healthy.
i am not for woody going and never have been, only see he himself is a work in progress. that simple thing last night someone said idiaotic may mean a win if he learns what he missed. the fact woody doesnt make the truly smart moves is what scares me in the long run. it is also the type move that fans of subtle coaching maneuvers get
we have to come out of the gate on friday being intimidating with the speed we can show on both ends of the court to take the fans out of it. no hesitation.
doc
April 30th, 2009
9:32 am
the truth report any comment you wish for the service that takes care of it, if it offends you report it. otherwise scroll. most folks yelling in caps are really crying inside if that is the only way they can express themselves, you know? they may need compassion and understanding of their plight in life rather than reading their hate and complaining about it. it is like if you see something in the street you step around it rather than on it. ken is the only person on here that screams worth reading. heh heh, but he doesnt just scream it is more for emphasis.
Melvin
April 30th, 2009
9:36 am
Doc, good observation about Bibby being the one to commit the foul.
As for Josh, the kid plays the game with emotion and heart. Many on here will scream when he miss shots and make mistakes but few will recognize some of his intangibles like being unselfish and good teammate. It was Josh who came to the defense of his teammates (Flip, Solo) during these shoving matches. It was Josh who help Big Al on and off the court last nite after he got hurt. It was Josh who chose to play that meaningless game in Memphis with the bench players when the other four starters decided to rest. We as Hawks fans must defend/support our players (such as Josh) when you have wanna bees know-it-alls that never won a championship like Charles Barkley criticize our team and players. The heck with the national media…. Lets Go Hawks….
Free Spirit. Let the bird fly…
Dan
April 30th, 2009
9:44 am
Melvin,
The reason people get on Josh is because they know he can be great. When he is totally tuned in, he is an All Star. It is maddening, however, to watch him shoot jumpers he can’t make, constantly argue with refs, and sometimes loaf. Not to mention his annual flair ups with the coaching staff.
Josh Smith has all the talent and skill in the world. He just has to play smarter more often. Taking out-of-range jumpers with 15 + seconds on the shot clock is not a good shot for him. In tight games those become wasted trips down the floor that come back to haunt the Hawks.
Barkley and even Kenny Smith criticize the Hawks because they have not watched them play all year. They have watched 5 games (all in playoffs) and are tying to make conclusions based on them. That is why you end up hearing BS about Joe Johnson not stepping up. Anyone who has watched the Hawks the last four years knows that Joe has stepped up plenty. The notion that he doesn’t is just absurd.
doc
April 30th, 2009
9:53 am
dan it is about him rising to the occasion and playing as the game comes to him. he did it in spades last night. the iso joe thing has to be dead and forgotten, it is not part of our offensive set at any time under any circumstance, too many weapons to use late in the game so dont take the element of surprise away. how many in double figures and what balanced scoring last night and he still got his. i want jj to be more efficient.
kwooden1
April 30th, 2009
9:58 am
Doc, I understand what your talking about with Woody, but I think he need to take steps (baby steps really) just like the players do. I really don’t think Woody is sharp during games, but I’ve never had a problem with him outside of games. I actually like his relationship with Smoove, because after they’re last spat he’s come to play. This is my comparison, I’m a Maryland U Basketball fan for several reasons (went to school there, grow-up in the area, etc) But don’t agree with Gary Williams defensive system or the level of players he recruits. When people wanted to fire him earlier this passed season, I thought they were crazy. His negatives didn’t come close to out way his positives! I’ve always thought Woody should go because he’s positives weren’t out weighing his negatives. If the HAWKS can finally start executing his plays at a high level, than it nullifies one of his big negatives in my book.
GO HAWKS!!!
Melvin
April 30th, 2009
10:04 am
Agreed Dan. But tell me, what player doesn’t take ill advised shots whether he’s a good shooter are not (see Ben Gordon). You can’t expect a player to drive to the rim for every shot attempt. Even MJ (now DWade) realize that you can’t layup/dunk every shot. As frustrating as it maybe to some to watch Josh shoot those long range shots, ask yourself why is out the far on the perimeter anyway and if you are thinking that it’s b/c he’s breaking off plays then I will like for you to explain why Solo receive a pass from a teammate when he was standing in the corner BEHIND the 3pt line last nite (although he didn’t shoot it). I don’t mind seeing Josh take some of those shots, especially when the shot clock in nearing the 10 sec and under mark. It better than the dribble, dribble, dribble shoot play…
doc
April 30th, 2009
10:12 am
dan and yes he is pressing, some shout that josh throws up air. jj was very off to start the game and didnt come down until he took it to the hop himself. durn the b\guy just about missed the backboard completely on one open look. he sorta looks like ray allen out there at the start of the playoffs last year. may be a very good comparison.
terrell barron
April 30th, 2009
10:20 am
I was talking about for the series, not the game.
Ken Strickland
April 30th, 2009
10:24 am
Last nights gm is a perfect example of why I would love to see a coaching change. If we’re going to become a consistent playoff team, we can’t afford to wait until were facing possible playoff elimination or desperately trying to end a losing streak to employ a winning strategy. It took Woodson until gm 5 to realize we’ve been playing a one man driven OFF and the solution is to attack that one man.
Isn’t it amazing how much of an impact players like Solo and West can have when they’re allowed in the gm and given adequate mins? MWest made Dwade expend a lot of energy, and use his ballhandling skills and moves 20-25 ft from the basket, just to get him off his hip. Solo set the tone by letting Heat players know driving the lane would be hazardous to their physical health. It appeared as though Heat players got a taste of their own medicine and didn’t like the taste.
In gm 4 they were the ones being physical, which caused MBibby to lose his composure. In gm 5 we were the ones that were physical, and they were the ones that lost their composure and went from being physical to playing dirty. In last nights gm, the Heat players suffered such a physical and psychological beating that they reacted as though it was an elimination gm and they had nothing to lose by playing dirty.
Woodson needs to understand we’ve had consecutive dominant wins over the Heat both home and away, and we didn’t it without one of our starters. HE ALSO NEEDS TO STOP WAITING UNTIL AN INJURY, SUSPENSION OR FOUL TROUBLE AFFECTS ONE OF OUR KEY PLAYERS BEFPRE RELYING ON BENCH PLAYERS OTHER THAN ZAZA AND FLIP.
Astro Joe
April 30th, 2009
10:25 am
doc, good comment about the Bibby/Acie foul scenario with Horford’s injury.
Big Ray, I was busy with some corporate crap most of the evening and couldn’t hit the blog. But my presentation for some strange reason has a lot of references to “T Mobile sucks”, “poor baby got a boo-boo on his noggin” and “FLIPPPPP”. I’m hoping they will think the last one means that it is time to turn the page.
I have only two issues with the Josh dunk attempt at the end. First, you have to make the freakin’ dunk. Surely there are other dunks in his vast arsenal that could have rewarded the fan base AND would have resulted in a make. (Sorry, doc, but creativity must always take a back seat to production). Second, I hope that he has enough maturity to accept the head-hunting that will come Friday evening. Smith can’t afford to get kicked out of the game with Marvin and Horford likely out. In baseball terms, Smith is about to get drilled in his next plate appearance and he absolutely cannot charge the mound.