Bulls at Atlanta Hawks Game 3: Real home advantage again?
The postseason Hawks have defied a lot of the expectations created by the regular-season Hawks.
The thought was they can’t win if they don’t make their favored long 2s but after making 43.3 percent during the regular season, they are at just 36.1 percent in the playoffs. You figured defense would be a problem but postseason opponents are shooting just 41.2 percent, second to the Celtics. They didn’t get to the free-throw line much during the season but. . . . well, OK, that one still kind of holds true: .26 free-throw rate during the regular season, .29 during the postseason.
Another big difference: The Hawks have been good at home. Surely part of the reason for that is the atmosphere. Large crowds cheering enthusiastically for the Hawks were a rarity during the season. They were the rule against Orlando.
“I know they’ve been criticized in the past,” Jamal said of fans, “but in the playoffs they’ve been great.”
Smoove said he expects the same tonight.
“The environment is going to be fun,” he said. “It’s going to be as rowdy as they were [in Chicago], if not rowdier.”
Despite their problems at home this season, L.D. said the Hawks were eager to return home to Philips Arena in the first round.
“Coming back from Orlando for Game 2, I could sense the confidence level, the energy level,” he said.
Judging by the chatter among Bulls bloggers and the questions Chicago media types asked today, the visitors are expecting their fans to infiltrate Philips like they did during the regular season.
“Maybe,” J.J. said. “I am sure their fans will come out and show their support. But it is what it is. We can’t control that. The only thing we can control is [that] when we step inside those lines and play hard.”
Notes
- Jamal apparently caused a stir in Chicago with a quote after Game 2.
- Josh on his meeting with L.D.: “He wants me to be more mindful of the timing of the shots. He wants me to be efficient.”
- J.J. on keeping homecourt: “It would be disappointing to let them come in our building and win. We went down there and worked so hard to get game.”
- Josh on homecourt: “It will mean nothing if we go up there and get a split and come back and don’t have a good showing.”
- J.J. on the Bulls: “I think they can play better, especially considering the fact Derrick hasn’t shot the ball particularly well. If we can just keep him at bay I think it will play into our hands.”
- J.J. on if grinding games favor the Bulls: “I think we can go either way. I won’t say it’s a disadvantage for us. We can play a slow-down pace and grind it out as well. We’ve shown we can do that. If that’s the case then we are just going to have to bump it out.”
- L.D. on whether D-Rose’s eight turnovers were due to sloppy play or Atlanta’s D: “Now I’m giving my secrets away. I would say, looking at his turnovers, defensively we are in the right spots.”
- L.D. on if he planned to continue cross-matching Josh and Al: “We will start that way. There is a chance we will go back the other way. Our matchups, I don’t think, have hurt us. I think we have done a good job in our matchups. Defensively, we are on the money. Game 2 clearly our worst enemy was our execution offensively and our shot selection.”
- L.D. on if he planned to stick with Jamal on Rose and Teague on Korver: “We mix it up just to give [Rose] different looks. Sometimes you will see Teague on him, sometimes you will see Joe on him. One thing we try to do is not be predictable in our matchups and find matchups that give us the most flexibility.”
- D-Rose on Teague: “He’s playing well. He’s getting everybody into the game, passing the ball well, shooting the ball well, attacking, knowing his role. He was somebody that was in my [high school] class coming in so I’m happy for him.”
- Al on facing Noah in two rugged playoff games: “We are out there boxing out and wrestling around. It’s all good. That’s the way it is. It’s fun. It’s basketball.”
- Al said he hasn’t talked to or texted Noah since the Hawks advanced to play the Bulls.
- Noah on the matchup: “It’s different. Me and Al shared a lot of great times together in college. We could have been pretty high picks after the first championship [but] we decided to come back for the love of the game and the love of playing with each other and having that taste of winning [another] championship. When you share moments like that and then you have to compete against each other, it’s tough. But it is what it is. It’s OK.”
- Noah on the Bulls trying to take away Al on the pick-and-pop: “He’s a really improved shooter. He’s very consistent at hitting it. We try to have a game plan for it. We know it’s not easy. He’s a hell of a player and a hell of a competitor.”
By Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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487 comments Add your comment
SteveW
May 6th, 2011
8:10 pm
As bad as we stunk, miracle to only be down 13.
Noah missed like 3 layups in the last 3 minutes, or it would’ve been ugly
Brad
May 6th, 2011
8:11 pm
I’m saying I wish I could block slim and not read his comments, drmary. Not the whole blog. Thanks for weighing in on the issue, however.
tiger woo
May 6th, 2011
8:12 pm
I expect a strong 2nd half from the Hawks – this one is going to go down to the wire.
Paradise Lost
May 6th, 2011
8:12 pm
Okay, 13 not insurmountable. Just do this before I get on this 8.5 hour flight!!
SteveW
May 6th, 2011
8:12 pm
Gotta go with ZaZa, Collins, Etan for a while
Al is gassed, hurt or something – this is not Al
Worldwide Clyde
May 6th, 2011
8:12 pm
I told yall we should have drafted Sean Williams.
Slimjr
May 6th, 2011
8:13 pm
“Brad
I wish we could block you! Leave SlimJr alone, he’s doing his job!
Go Slim Go! Bring your passion!” LOL, Thanks drmaryb!!!
Dont let me see this guy on the basketball court, I am gonna send his layup to Alabama!!!! LOL
SteveW
May 6th, 2011
8:13 pm
But LD just won’t let up – guy gets the weirdest rotations stuck in his head for some reason.
Remember that game Rose getting Chicago up by 47, and LD won’t play Teague? Weird
Nique's Revenge
May 6th, 2011
8:14 pm
or Serena Williams. would be better at this point
cp
May 6th, 2011
8:14 pm
No need for Marvin to play for the rest of the series
Rod from College Park
May 6th, 2011
8:14 pm
Josh Smith is the main reason we are getting blown out. If he was not playing, we would be up. LOL
drmaryb (*_-)
May 6th, 2011
8:14 pm
Does Al even know what a pump fake is?
At least Josh is taking his shots, al is not even looking at the basket and he is supposedly our best shooter from 12 – 15.
At least Josh is trying to score, Al – NOTHING!
That said, “Josh! For the love of winning, will you please STOP shooting?
Please? Just go inside and rebound – Geez-Us!
Rod from College Park
May 6th, 2011
8:15 pm
Wow Jalen, sounds like someone I know.
Brandon
May 6th, 2011
8:16 pm
After looking at the box score, I noticed that both of the former gators are struggling. Noah is 0-6 so far in this game, and Horford is 2-8. Noah has still been a force on the glass though, and Al hasn’t. Also, for Noah, offense isn’t really his game, so even if he doesn’t score, it doesn’t hurt the bulls much at all. Horford’s overall play has just been unacceptable. I wouldn’t be complaining as much if he at least was strong on the boards the way he was in the previous two games, but he really hasn’t done anything well so far in this game. That worries me because in reality, we only have 2 competent big men on this roster (Al and Josh). No offense to Zaza, but he is only really good in spurts, and Collins is only good for a couple of specific roles. With Al playing like garbage, that just leaves Josh, and if things get tough, I know Josh has a tendency to lose focus, and we can’t afford that either. Al really needs to pick it up, that’s all there is to it. I can understand Joe and Jamal playing below average for their standards, but I’m used to that. I’m not used to Al playing so badly.
Nique's Revenge
May 6th, 2011
8:17 pm
Josh Smith jumpshot? he might as well throw the ball out of bounds.
oh wait, he does do that.
superiorblogman
May 6th, 2011
8:17 pm
This shi+ is so rigged. I knew it. Teague getting in the lane as much as D Rose but he gets no calls and Korver fouled Jamal at the end of half and no call. Al is playing soft but he is getting fouled also.
Nique's Revenge
May 6th, 2011
8:19 pm
hawks in conference finals or the finals = no money for stern
easy to figure out
Slimjr
May 6th, 2011
8:21 pm
Al being called out at Halftime by Jalen Rose on ESPN. Shooting..2-8!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Wheres ALLSTAR AL their asking????????????????????????? Brutal………………….He’s got to show up!!!!
Our guards are on lock down, but wheres the Bigs too step up???????????????
tiger woo
May 6th, 2011
8:21 pm
This is the playoffs – let ‘em play and quit crying about the fouls.
Brandon
May 6th, 2011
8:21 pm
You know what is really shocking? Joe Johnson is actually shooting at 50% so far in this game. Maybe it was just me, but I didn’t feel like he was playing well at all, and it felt like he was shooting 20% out there. That makes me feel worse, because Joe wasn’t even shooting inefficiently, and we still looked like garbage on the offensive end. I’m hoping for a dramatic comeback in the second half, otherwise, it’s going to be a long, disappointing night in Atlanta. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Hawks were booed off the court if this keeps up. A 14 point deficit (assuming the bulls hit the technical free throw) at the start of the second half is not insurmountable, but it’s all up to the Hawks to step it up, the Bulls are not going to just let them get back into the game. If the Hawks make a comeback, they are going to have to earn it.
South ga boy in the atl
May 6th, 2011
8:21 pm
It couldn’t be more obvious that we have to trade Josh for a true 5 this offseason. He can’t/won’t block out under the boards. Even if the Bulls weren’t shooting so well with the initial shot, Noah and Boozer would have 20 garbage points each. They are right there to get the rebound if necessary with Josh and Al looking around. START COLLINS LD, why does he insist on fixing something that’s not broken. We need Collins and Zsa Zsa in at ALL TIMES so we don’t get eaten alive in rebounding. Geez, between LD AND JOSH, the Hawks drive me crazy
Ole Hawks Fan
May 6th, 2011
8:23 pm
The Bulls know JJ and JC1 loves to dribble and they are sending a second defender at them but they continue to dribble the ball refusing to look for an open team mate. Move guys without the ball! I wonder if JC! has heard of REGGIE MILLER? Moving all the time to get open and catch the ball ready to shoot. Motion JC1………………….keep moving on offense.
drmaryb (*_-)
May 6th, 2011
8:23 pm
Worldwide!
LOL! Who in the hell is Sean Williams? I have never heard of him, is he in the NBA? I don’t watch college ball, so IDK him.
You wild boy!
Slimjr
May 6th, 2011
8:26 pm
Get Hilton,Etan and ZaZa in there..cant do any worse than the 3 stooges???
This is starting to turn into a beatdown……..Like the regular season………….
cp
May 6th, 2011
8:27 pm
When Zaza was in he couldnt grab a rebound
Nedsdag
May 6th, 2011
8:28 pm
Put Sy in the game and it will truly feel like the end of the season.
superiorblogman
May 6th, 2011
8:29 pm
I hope the Hawks fans at the game Kill some of the Chicago bandwagon fans. It is only fair just like happened in the MLB this season. Grow a pair and kill some of those Chicago wannabe tough guys. I know you can do it, kill some of them!!!!!
Justin
May 6th, 2011
8:29 pm
Anybody find it ironic that Jeff Teague is keeping our season afloat?
northcyde
May 6th, 2011
8:29 pm
LOL @ that 1st half. WE needed better role players on the frontline to bring off the bench, in case Smith or Horford struggled in games. Oh well, it’s a moot point now. Those guys simply have to play better, or our guards better get red hot.
Disappointing.
Rod from College Park
May 6th, 2011
8:29 pm
Guys, we keep calling out player but the reality is that we are getting out coached. The Bulls made the simple adjustment afer game 1 or doubling Joe or Jamal as soon as they get the ball, and we have not adjusted.
Nique's Revenge
May 6th, 2011
8:29 pm
and josh continues to stand around the perimeter.
Coach D
May 6th, 2011
8:29 pm
D-Rose-MVP. CRAP!!! Go Duck!
superiorblogman
May 6th, 2011
8:30 pm
tiger woo
May 6th, 2011
8:21 pm
This is the playoffs – let ‘em play and quit crying about the fouls.
That’s what your mom says when I go in here backend
northcyde
May 6th, 2011
8:30 pm
Exactly @ cp . . and that’s my point. We can talk about benching guys all we want. But the scrubs we have to bring in are horrible 75% of the time. So we have no choice but to play the main guys.
Let’s see if they can make some sort of a run this quarter. smh
Coach D
May 6th, 2011
8:32 pm
Somebody needs to give a hard foul to somebody preferably D-Rose.
cp
May 6th, 2011
8:32 pm
there u go Al
tiger woo
May 6th, 2011
8:32 pm
superiorblogman – is that your idea of humor? Very lame.
STRETCH
May 6th, 2011
8:32 pm
They dont want it. Confused on offense, while the Bulls are just throwing the ball up and its falling! Just ready for the season to be over. Go out and get some legit players with heart!
tiger woo
May 6th, 2011
8:32 pm
superiorfagman !!
Ole Hawks Fan
May 6th, 2011
8:33 pm
Wake UP AL!
Coach D
May 6th, 2011
8:35 pm
Time to cut the lead to 5 by the end of the quarter. GOAL.
cp
May 6th, 2011
8:35 pm
@northcyde thats why it was so dissapointing when the Hawks didnt sign any quality depth for the bench. We dont have much outside of Jamal
Coach D
May 6th, 2011
8:37 pm
Don’t force the lob Smith!!!! Least intelligent basketball player on the court.
drmaryb (*_-)
May 6th, 2011
8:37 pm
Scroll On!
“I’m saying I wish I could block slim and not read his comments, drmary. Not the whole blog. Thanks for weighing in on the issue, however.”
_____________
But you can – Get Your Scroll on!
This blog has an open forum and is open to all public opinions.
cp
May 6th, 2011
8:38 pm
a bad pass then not blocking out
Coach D
May 6th, 2011
8:39 pm
Time for Joe to take over. Pts. & assists.
cp
May 6th, 2011
8:40 pm
Just like game 2, Bulls giving the Hawks a chance to get back in it but the Hawks cant take advantage
bulls baby
May 6th, 2011
8:41 pm
Go bulls!
Coach D
May 6th, 2011
8:42 pm
Stating the obvious: Gonna win by defense or we’re not gonna win.
cp
May 6th, 2011
8:44 pm
they have to get it down to at least 10 to end the quarter