Plans for Sunday?
The Heat promise they they'll be back in Atlanta at Philips Arena Sunday for Game 7.
HAWKKSVILLE - They didn’t even make it to the bus before vowing to return.
“Don’t make any plans for Sunday,” Heat center Jermaine O’Neal told me. “I promise you, we’ll be back here Sunday.”
Little did he know that Heat swingman James Jones had already cautioned me about looking past anything other than a Game 7 Sunday between the Hawks and Heat in this first round playoff series.
“We’ll be back,” a smiling Jones said after the Hawks smashed the Heat 106-91 in Game 5 Wednesday night at Philips Arena. “We’re going to go back home to handle our business [in Game 6 Friday night] and we’ll see you back here this weekend.”
I’ve known both O’Neal and Jones since we all lived and worked in Indianapolis, I was the beat writer and they were toiling for what used to be an Eastern Conference power (the franchise formerly known as the Indiana Pacers). I know they’re competitors and they feel, just as the Hawks do, that they are the better team.
So I don’t dismiss what they say.
And in a series that has been nothing but a parade of blowouts, why should the Heat feel any other way?
While the Heat is aiming for a return to A-Town, the Hawks are locked in on doing Friday night what they did Monday to turn the series around – winning again on the floor at AmericanAirlines Arena in Game 4. ”Now comes the hard part,” Hawks forward Josh Smith told me after Game 5. “When somebody is on the doorstep of getting eliminated, that’s when it gets real. We just have to go back down there to Miami and handle business. We have to go down there with a business attitude and play our game.”
AFTER TWO STRAIGHT WINS it’s clear that the Hawks’ “game” includes whipping the Heat in all the categories that count.
They have outrebounded the Heat 77-62 since the start of Game 4. They’ve had 38 assist to the Heat’s 28, outscored them 72-48 in the paint, whipped them 32-18 on second chance points and 27-10 in fast break points. Toss in the Hawks’ defensive performance (the Heat have shot .428 from the floor and .285 from beyond the 3-point) and it’s no wonder the Hawks have a chance to eliminate the Heat Friday night.
“I think defense is the key for us,” Zaza Pachulia said. “We played pretty good defense (Wednesday), I think. We know how to win. When everybody does the little things, we’re a tough team to beat. And in the last two games, we really did those things.”
NO PLAYER WILL HAVE MORE HEAT ON HIS SHOULDERS (literally and figuratively) than Pachulia will Friday night in Game 6. If Al Horford can’t go (he walked out of the arena under his own power after Game 5 but was wearing an ice compression boot on his right leg after suffering a “mild ankle sprain” before halftime) Pachulia will have to fill the void at center.
Pachulia has all the experience necessary for the job. And it was his inside work in Game 4 (18 rebounds and 12 points) that pushed the Hawks over the top in that game. And he’s still sporting that black eye he earned in Game 3, a badge of honor he wears better than any of his fly Italian suits.
“I’ve been coming in and replacing Al the whole year,” Pachulia said. “But hopefully, he’s going to be back soon, because we really need him. In the playoffs, sometimes guys get in foul trouble or whatever, so we need everybody. But I’ve been in this situation before, so it’s nothing new.”
THERE IS NO NEWS YET ON AL, either, so relax. The Hawks practice this morning at 11 and the first real update won’t come until after they have finished. The biggest test will be to see how Horford’s ankle responds to the team flight to Miami, provided Horford makes that trip.
Horford tried to come back after halftime last night but said he simply couldn’t do it. Playing without both Horford and Marvin Williams, who is probably out for the rest of this series, is going to be a monstrous task if the Hawks have to do so in Games 6 and 7. I’m not sure how Hawks coach Mike Woodson will scramble things up to make it happen, but it’ll be interesting to see what transpires next.
In today’s edition of the SOUTH FLORIDA REPORT, our friends from Miami are showing no mercy for the home team.
My man Israel Gutierrez of the Miami Herald challenged the Heat to answer the Hawks’ physical nature in Game 6 or hit South Beach for vacation.
Greg Stoda of the Palm Beach Post questioned the Heat’s sincerity with all the elbows, hard fouls and tough-guy posturing that went on in Game 5.
And my man Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel likened last night’s MMA action to the Heat-Knicks battles of yesteryear. And he would know since he’s covered the Heat from their first day of existence.
Game 6 ought to be a fantastic mess.
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219 comments Add your comment
All I'm Saying Is...
April 30th, 2009
12:49 pm
D-Wade is a drama queen when it comes to being hurt and whining to the officials and he’s been that way all the way back to when they beat Dallas for the title as Avery Johnson was caught during a time out praising his team in the huddle for not being suckered by D-Wade acting hurt and then all of sudden him flying to the basket for a dunk.
I agree with the blogger that the Hawks should view Game Six as their game seven in terms of focus (It’s a business trip because its time to handle our business!), remember what it took to win Game Four, use the boos that will rain down to help them focus, and enjoy the sweetest of victories: closing out a series on your opponents floor (ex. Dallas ending the Spurs run in San Antonio).
(BTW, if you need a showboat move by your opponent in a blowout victory to get yourself motivated to win an elimination game, then you are tired and pathetic.)
LET’S GET IT DONE HAWKS!
Irven.j
April 30th, 2009
1:06 pm
ok volman your team the pigeons cannt even beat D wade at 50% game 6 in our house
Stick In The Mud
April 30th, 2009
1:06 pm
The only way the Hawks win this series is for “Spirit” to take out D. Wade’s eyes in the parking lot before the game.
calico
April 30th, 2009
1:07 pm
Good Job Hawks and way 2 go Joe you came through big for us in the game we need a couple more performances like that and Josh i love the way you are playing keep it up it takes a man with balls to try a dunk like that in the playoffs and you were the only one besides Solo and ZAZA to not back down from the heat when it got physical we have to take next game i dont want to face Wade in a Game 7
dap01
April 30th, 2009
1:10 pm
TNT, ESPN, NBA: The Hawks kicked butt and beat the Heat. Do you get it? The Hawks were better last night, they didn’t win because Wade didn’t feel good. The NBA, their officials, TNT and ESPN are corrupt.
Volman
April 30th, 2009
1:15 pm
Irven, quit your crying. The Hawks have dominated the past two games. If I remember correctly, the Hawks played without Marvin Williams for the past three games, and Horford didn’t play for 3 quarters.
What is your excuse again?
Volman
April 30th, 2009
1:16 pm
People talk about Josh Smith’s missed dunk, but what about the and-1 dunk he got on Jermaine O’Neal?
Talk about having nuts in your face… I’d be really embarrassed to be O’Neal.
crackbaby
April 30th, 2009
1:26 pm
Gotta say that the reason D-Fade got booed is ’cause he flagrant fouled Mo Evans from behind on a very dangerous play. If we did that to DWade, the whole Miami bench would attack the guy who fouled him.
Miami clearly is overly aggressive on D in the paint. No surprise since Riley is the Prez. I watch the local coverage (Nique and Bob Rathmon).
Francisco
April 30th, 2009
1:27 pm
Hawks are much solid team and when they defend Miami is just a losing team. Let’s get things done in Miami and rest for the Semifinals with the Cavs. Can’t wait.
Daniel
April 30th, 2009
1:27 pm
Hey guys great game last night.
I had to watch it on TV, because my wife was not feeling well. Dang, but we will be back in our seats in 103 for the next game…. against the CAVS.
I want to echo all the others on here about how disappointed I am with the TNT crew. They are so anti-Hawk it is embarrassing. Ernie Johnson is a long time Atlantan and he should know better. Literally, the Hawks beat the pants off the Heat and all they can come up with is how “awful” it was of Josh to try that dunk. Dumb, Dumb, Dumb…
I watched the game on sports south for Bob’s call anyway. Also, ‘Nique I love you man, you were are greatest player and a great person, but dude you make me miss stinger with the color commentary… where’s heat check?
On Josh’s dunk, I have absolutely no problem with it, and I don’t think that he would try it during a critical part of the game. Now, he very well might shoot a 20 footer with time on the shot clock at a critical point. I will never critique Josh for going hard to the rack, if he will please, please, please stop shooting from beyond 15 feet.
Finally, all you Heat fans… too bad, so sad, go to your own blog sites. We don’t need or want your loser, idiotic and soft opinions here.
crackbaby
April 30th, 2009
1:31 pm
Somebody tell Coach not to let DFade shoot from that spot just left of the top of the key! He makes that shot in his sleep so make him do something else!
Also, if JO gets the ball near the block, go ahead and double him a couple times. Those two are all that remain of the Heat’s offense.
Harry Hawk
April 30th, 2009
1:33 pm
I’d like to see Josh posterize D-Wade with a “bounce the ball off D-Wade’s grill” through the legs windmill jam in the fourth quarter of a Hawks’ blowout in Game 6. That would be the perfect way to end this series.
GO HAWKS
April 30th, 2009
1:35 pm
Irven.J, dont give me all that wade at 50% bullcrap, CAUSE THAT IS ALL THAT IT IS, wade is fine he is just about as mature as 15 year old highschool girl. He is a drama infested queen, and he will lose game 6 in your house. The Heat are a dirty cheap team. D-Wade should get an oscar for trying to sell that injury, not an NBA MVP
cdog
April 30th, 2009
1:42 pm
LETS MAKE SURE AL HORFORD IS READY FOR THE CAVALIERS. THIS HEAT SERIES IS OVER.THE HAWKS WILL BRING VICTOTY BACK TO THE ATL THIS FRIDAY NIGHT.WAY TO GO WOODY AND THE HAWKS.
Westurd
April 30th, 2009
1:48 pm
funny thing happend to me during Game 2 & 5. Both games I was asked to sit down. Once by the usher and once by some dude in the box next to us………I mean seriously? If you want to sit during a home playoff game then pull up in the recliner in your living room.
AtlE
April 30th, 2009
1:51 pm
Atanta unite! Josh, Zaza, Al,Bibby and Mo got that Swag! If we can get Joe, team MVP (Flip),and Marvin to sign on these boys can become the new Bad Boys. The media including our so called hometown radio personalites love to dog them anyway. Why do we have so many from the North telling us about our teams, I’ll never understand. Thank goodness for Buck B., Beau B., and the Stews!We need a nickname that will represent on a national stage. Get mad, get nasty Joe and Flip, the media does not respect you anyway!
bigeasy830
April 30th, 2009
1:51 pm
Coach Woodson made an adjustment in this series and have the Hawks playing with that Chuck Dailey’s and Larry Browns Bad Boys Pistons mentality. I love it, “TAKE IT TO THEM, GET’EM HAWKS, GET’EM.”
Westurd
April 30th, 2009
1:52 pm
….and the Josh Smith dunk attempt is being blown way out of proportion……its just that these shock jocks have to fill 4 hours of air time and his dunk is an easy topic to stick to (even though there is no meat to this story)
Teams always look for something to fuel their fire and getting blown out three times should be enough fuel for the heat. If they want to focus it all on being down by 20 points and our guy dunking in their eye then let them focus on that. Who really cares what they focus on.
HAWKS in 6…………….NOW YOU KNOW!
yoye
April 30th, 2009
1:53 pm
NOW MIAMI AND THE WHOLE NBA KNOWS…
J Dub
April 30th, 2009
2:00 pm
I too have lost a lot of respect for Wade in this series Edgewood. My wife was railing about how big of a crybaby he was last night and she doesn’t even watch basketball that much. I told her, “You know I actually liked D Wade, until this series.” He walks around pouting and arguing and bowing his chest up when he makes a play. That is what I like about JJ. Most of the time, sometimes to his detriment, he keeps quiet, accepts congratulations for good plays and gives congratulations to his teammates. Wade is a crybaby. You should be real proud Heat fans.
doc
April 30th, 2009
2:09 pm
the missed dunk will only get josh going up to another level. maybe that will get a highlight like the miss wade had because josh was staring him down and wade blinked. heh heh, i guess they didnt show that one did they?
ATLANTA EAST HAWKS FAN
April 30th, 2009
2:15 pm
SINCE I GOT A GAY MORON USING MY NAME I WILL SWITCH UP BLOG NAMES TO THROW FRUITY BOOTY.
BUT BACK TO THE HAWKS IM GLAD IM NOT HEARING FIRE MIKE WOODSON TODAY,IT LOOKS LIKE THE HAWKS WILL BE GOING TO THE SECOND ROUND TO PLAY LEBRON,BUT WAIT A MINUTE I KNOW THE WOODSON HATERS ARE GOING TO BE SCREAMING FOR WOODY TO GET FIRED IF WE DONT BEAT LEBRON.
P.S.HAWKS CONTINUE TO DO D.WADE LIKE DENVER DID CHRIS PAUL,IT SHOWS THAT A ONE MAN TEAM CANT BEAT A 5 FIVE MAN TEAM,BEAT HIM DOWN EVERY TIME HE COMES THRU THE HOLE SMASH HIS A$$.
AtlE
April 30th, 2009
2:20 pm
Honestly, the Hawks if they could just stay motivated and focused could be serious spoilers in the East. Denver could do the same out West. A NBA nightmare as they have penciled in Kobe vs LeBron 1. The Cavs are good because they know there rolls and they have Lebron. They also have flash and attitude and can care less what people think, look at there little player intro the media adores. The Hawks have to clash the party, the Heat aren’t on the Hawks level and the Hawks need to emphatically let them and the league know that Friday! Really its simple to me, if Josh and Joe are driving to the whole instead of shooting bad jumpers the Hawks are good. If Bibby and Flip are stroking and Z and Al crashing boards like mad men, this team can compete with anybody!
Daniel
April 30th, 2009
2:36 pm
J dub- I had almost the exact same coversation with my wife last night too.
Mike is back
April 30th, 2009
2:37 pm
I’m glad to hear that Miami has guarantee a win for game six. At lease, we know they will be prepared…I don’t want to hear no excuses. I can just imagine how the media WILL PUMP SUNSHINE UP DWade ASSSSSS…AFTER THE HAWKS WIN. There will be more talk about DWade health then the Hawks victory.
As for Josh missed dunk…I don’t condone show boating…but I got no problem with swagger…something these guys have been sorely missing. YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THEY WOULD HAVE COMMENDED HIM FOR STEPPING UP SOLO…go figure.
Josh is out there having fun and DISHING OUT CROW at the same time. We need Josh to continue to recapture the magic he had when he won the Slam Dunk Contest. Man the crowd was buzzing out of control WHEN PUNKED OUT ONEAL…THAT’S WHAT’S UP!!!!!!!!!!
WHEN JOSH IS GOING TO THE RACK WITH THAT KIND OF FEROCITY…HE’S UNSTOPPABLE!!!!!!!!!!!
Side-bar, Harry The Hawk was on fire out there doing his MJ imitation …but the performance by baby Hawk and his boys on the trampoline was terrible…after that first cat took a spill…that was it…they will definitely have to make some adjustment for round two!!!!! Heh heh
GREAT JOB WOODY… GREAT WIN HAWKS…FINISH IT FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Astro Joe
April 30th, 2009
2:40 pm
I see that Woody will start Solo if horford can’t go. Smart move. Zaza should stay on the bench where he has proven his effectiveness. Let Solo do what he can and waste his fouls and then bring Zaza in to do the heavy lifting. Here’s hoping Horford can play but if there is any doubt, I say roll the dice and try to have him healthy for Game 7.
Dnice
April 30th, 2009
2:44 pm
I’m proud of the fans at Philips. You notice the decline in the “Wade-ites” from the regular season? No longer aroused about a marketable star, not this time around anyways.
Da Real Real
April 30th, 2009
2:47 pm
The funny thing i keep hearing is how Miami is supposedly going to punish Josh tomorrow night. The question I have is who exactly is going to do this? Who? O’Neal maybe? The same guy Josh posterized last night. Maybe Magloire? The same guy who would have caught it last night. I’d much rather take Josh going to the hole over their guys any day.
Us Atlanta sport fans have earned ours when it comes to anything in the playoffs involving major league sports. You d*** right I wanted to see Smoove throw it down last night – after all these years I’ve earned the chance to be able to throw it in another guys face. How many times has MJ came into our building and put on a dunking show? How about Vince Carter? Just last year I can remember the alien himself (Sam Cassel) coming in here and celebrating knocking down a few threes in the last game of the reg. season against Boston. I’m tired of hearing folks talk about a missed dunk. It’s being blown way out of proportion if you ask me. As an old fan of ATL sports I would have jumped out of the arena if Josh threw that dunk down along with the group of fans in my section. That would have iced off a good night of chanting DWade sucks and just having a fun time at a Hawks playoff game (Something that up until last year we hadn’t seen in a LONG time).
Dante Fitzgerald
April 30th, 2009
3:02 pm
D WADE, why you cryin? why you cryin?
gusman354
April 30th, 2009
3:05 pm
THE ATLANTA PIGEONS ARE HAPPY FOR GAME 5 BUT ITS THE BEST OF 7 SO ITS NOT OVER UNTIL IS OVER REMEMBER 2006
GOHAWKS
April 30th, 2009
3:10 pm
DWADE = CRYING BIATCH
gusman354
April 30th, 2009
3:11 pm
how about j-smoove
gusman354
April 30th, 2009
3:13 pm
how about j-smoove=miss a dunk da
gusman354
April 30th, 2009
3:14 pm
Enter your comments here
Volman
April 30th, 2009
3:20 pm
It is funny that there are absolutely ZERO Heat fans that are around anymore so now all of the remaining scragglers come onto the AJC website to talk about the Heat. Funny.
Westurd
April 30th, 2009
3:20 pm
well said “Da Real Real”
Even when J Smoove missed the dunk you could feel the whole arena buzzing at even the attempt. HAWKS FANS HAVE A WRITE TO SO AS WE PLEASE…….just four seasons ago we endured a 13 win season. Thank JOSH for keeping Hawks highlights in the “Top Ten Plays” each night.
HAWKS IN 6
Westurd
April 30th, 2009
3:20 pm
I mean have a “RIGHT,” not write. Opps
Melvin
April 30th, 2009
3:22 pm
gusman, you can remember 2006 all you want. we remember 2007 and 2008 when the Heat didn’t win anything. Come Friday, yall are gonna be out of the 2009 playoffs. How come the Heat didn’t guarantee a win doing the post game interviews so the entire world can hear it? Nope, they rather whisper it to a beat writer on their way to the team bus. Some heart of a champion they got. And look at the players who made the statement, JON and James Jones. They haven’t won anything since they been in the league. What a joke. The only thing I would change from last nite game is for Josh to take 1 step closer before taking off to dunk JON and Beasley. Let’s Go Hawks. Bring on Lebron. WE READY, WE READY…
Free Spirit. Let the Bird Fly…
Darrin "The Vent King"
April 30th, 2009
3:54 pm
Goodness, the Heat and D-Babe are taking crying to whole new level. I thought the Celts were bad last year, these girls are even topping that. Tears-in-a- Flash hits the deck and lays there like he’s been sniped more than any player I’ve ever seen! Chris Paul is getting thrown to the ground, Zsa-Zsa gets a black eye, Dalembert gets an atomic elbow from Dwight Howard, Mo Evans gets body slammed, and all these cats suck it up and keep it moving. But Wade? Naw, all you keep hearing is how hurt he is, then drops thirty. Lays on the floor for nearly two minutes, then hits his next four shots in a row. Talk about milking it- goodness! Win or lose, I’ll be glad when this series is over so I don’t have to watch the soap opera “As D-Wade Falls” anymore- ugh!
O'brien
April 30th, 2009
3:57 pm
On ESPN, Truehoop has a good article about Josh Smith. Leading up to game 5, they said he was 5-17 from beyond 15 feet, but 20-39 from closer in. They talk about the same thing we as fans have been criticizing Josh for. It’s a good read, so feel free to check it out. (Maybe Ariose or somebody can post the link).
Darrin "The Vent King"
April 30th, 2009
3:58 pm
“Oops, this just in- D-Wade is still crying…story at 11, back to you Bob!”
a1andonly
April 30th, 2009
4:05 pm
I like the fact that ASG listens to bloggers. They actually gave out white t-shirts and thunder sticks…..unbelievable. I think we all should have stake in the team because apparently they need us to help them win. But I’m proud of the Hawks. I would really like to see them win in Miami Friday night. That would put a stamp on our season and send a message to all the haters out there (Charles “DUI” Barkely and Mr. Kenny), that the Hawks can compete. Don’t be suprised thought if AL doesn’t play. We need Solo to step up. Good luck HAwks!!!!!!Let’s get’em
Volman
April 30th, 2009
4:08 pm
I am not going to lie, I boo’ed D-Wade when we ran into Smoove on that play. I really did.. because I thought he was “faking it” like he usually does when he doesn’t get a call.
He layed there motionless. I thought he broke his neck or some crazy freak type accident. I stopped my booing and was worried for the guy. I figured the stretcher would be arriving soon and the paramedics would be taking Wade away to not return to the game. For some ODD reason, he gets up by his own power and walk to the back? The guy was motionless for five minutes, yet he could get up on his own account.
Of course we all know he came back mintues later and scored 20+ in the second half. What a baby.
Never will I be duped by Dwyane Wade again. Once a baby, always a baby.
Volman
April 30th, 2009
4:11 pm
More typos, sorry guys. Ahh, whatever. You get the point.
PMC
April 30th, 2009
4:14 pm
Fall down 7 times, Cry about it 8 times.
maurice
April 30th, 2009
4:25 pm
I’m hoping Josh Smith attempts the same dunk at the end of the game in Miami. This time he bounces it off the glass then goes through the legs. No… Maybe at the beginning of the game. Posterize them J-Smoove! They don’t see ya!
Melvin
April 30th, 2009
4:34 pm
Dont feel bad Volman. I booed DWade from my couch after the 1st 5mins he was lying there. I knew he was milking it. Funny how he can be laid on the floor motionless and 30 mins later his was involved in two high flying air battle fouls. I mean I thought his back was hurting. He didn’t seem to have a problem with his back when he flew thru the air and drop kick Mo Evans in the neck from behind just to preventive his dunk… Like you said, D-Babe won’t fool me again. I will be wrong about him being injuried before he does that again…
Whatever
April 30th, 2009
4:44 pm
dwade is over rated, the end.
Star of the Zanarkand Abes!
April 30th, 2009
4:44 pm
I can’t believe how FULL Philips was at tip-off last night!! Do us proud, Highlight Factory fans!!
Let’s Go Hawks!!!!!!!
Ric Roc
April 30th, 2009
4:44 pm
Far too much is being made of the Josh Smith dunk. I feel so relieved reading this blog knowing that:
I am not the only one who lost mucho respecto for “Dwayne-Wayne” Wade (I was just starting to like him, too!)…
I am not the only one who feels that it is oh-so painfully obvious that the League, TNT/ESPN, sponsors and the like are absolutely drooling over a potential LeBron/Wade matchup…
I am not the only who feels that the Josh Smith between the legger is being grossly overblown…
I am not the only who feels that Wade and Paul Pierce are just drama queen prima donas that get there jollies by milking injuries through the media for personal glory (none of you guys will be placed in the same category as MJ fighting the flu to go for 38 against the Jazz in the Finals, so give it a rest!)…
I am not the only who noticed everybody kind of did the “stand up til the first shot made” fan thing…first time I ever saw that at a Hawks game…it was kind of cool…everybody just kind of simultaneously sat down…I thought I would be the only one to sit, but I think everybody just had that feeling like, “stay on your feet til they hit”….good job Hawks fans!
It is soooo clear that anyone on TV who ever tries to offer an analysis of the Hawks has never seen us play an entire game more three times this year…they just offer these generic analyses of the players like Josh and Joe and Marvin and throw out words like “athleticism” and “long” but they have no idea what they’re talking about because they couldn’t be more off base as to what they’re suggesting or “reporting”…(Keep it Real, Sekou!)…it is such an insult to the REAL fans who’ve actually watched this team…