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
J from the A
May 6th, 2011
9:20 pm
If anyone but Teague gives up 30+ to the MVP, ya’ll would be asking for their heads (let alone 40+)!
(I don’t mean to say this as an indictment of Teague’s defense. Rather it is only pointed out as an indictment of you haters (of some players)/lovers (of other players). Let your bias show, let it show.)
My stance: Teague has really fought had on defense. There is a reason why Rose is the MVP.
Overall, Teague has had a great game. My hat goes off to him.
Rod from College Park
May 6th, 2011
9:20 pm
Great game by their All Star Derrick Rose. Terrible games by are All Stars Horford and Johnson. Teague and Josh, only ones to show up. Terrible offensive game plan. Terrible coaching. Game over.
brigadierjerry
May 6th, 2011
9:21 pm
Some of you folks are nuts. Josh Smith does not belong in the starting line up of any playoff claiber team. At best he should be a guy to provide a defensive spark of the bench defensively.
People want to keep that loser around and he has NO offense. Inside and Outside he sucks.
Josh Smith is a bum, Horford is softer than baby schit but atleast he has a jumper.
Get rid of them both for real post players.
How are you going to get players better than those two?I am not saying they are superstars but you getting better players thorough trades than these 2?I like to see it
Worldwide Clyde
May 6th, 2011
9:21 pm
Somebody need to take Rose to Magic City on Saturday night to slow him down.
Carlos
May 6th, 2011
9:23 pm
Highly anticipated first home game in the 2nd round, opposing teams star and MVP comes in and goes for plus 40, maybe 50. Killing you at your own place.
This is why no one takes Atlanta sports series.
Not to mention the MVP of the SF Giants title team – Brooks Conrad and the Falcons Vs. Green Bay
bird
May 6th, 2011
9:24 pm
Man I didn’t think Horford was this soft. He just stands back and watches guys lay the ball up.
cp
May 6th, 2011
9:24 pm
lol@clyde.. The Hawks would beat him there
O'Brien
May 6th, 2011
9:25 pm
I think Josh is a more talented PF than Al. My only concern with Josh is his coachability.
Which Hawks will show up in game 4?
brigadierjerry
May 6th, 2011
9:25 pm
Very frustrating these guys are sucking off Rose. No resistance to the rim. Cant get rebounds . I think the offensive and defensive philosophy has to change for this team.
I guess will see what type of team is made of on Sunday. So disgusting seeing all those bulls fans in the areana cheering.
J from the A
May 6th, 2011
9:25 pm
The Hawks have cleared their bench and Rose is still in. WTF is Thibs thinking …
Keep him in. Maybe he will sprain an ankle.
bird
May 6th, 2011
9:26 pm
Rose has no business in this game. I would foul the heck out of him.
Carlos
May 6th, 2011
9:26 pm
@brigadierjerry
Josh Smith cant do anything on offense, I’m sure we could find somebody ANYBODY that can. People ride his testicles because he’s athletic. There are lots of athletes who ride the bench or dont make it long in the league.
Marvin Williams and Josh Smith are 2 of the biggest cancers on any team in the NBA. Both on the same team.
Wabe
May 6th, 2011
9:27 pm
Should I even comment on this?
Back to the status quo bullstuff hawks.
Anybody not named Teague can be gone.
Horford, Smith, Joe. All garbage.
cp
May 6th, 2011
9:27 pm
@O’Brien I think not putting their foot on the Bulls throat in game 2 will haunt this team
Slimjr
May 6th, 2011
9:27 pm
This series is over! Game 1 was a fluke….
STRETCH
May 6th, 2011
9:27 pm
Well, atleast they won a game in the second round!
Wabe
May 6th, 2011
9:29 pm
O’Brien
May 6th, 2011
9:25 pm
“I think Josh is a more talented PF than Al. My only concern with Josh is his coachability.”
Ok. Didn’t LD just have a talk with Josh about his shot selection? What will it take for this guy to understand he doesn’t need to take jumpers? The coach spoke with him, the fans were booing him, and I bet dude will come out next game still chuckin up jumpers.
bird
May 6th, 2011
9:29 pm
Joe Johnson 10 pts? Wow
Wabe
May 6th, 2011
9:30 pm
By the way, what Rose did tonight, that’s worthy of $126 million. Not the garbage numbers Joe Johnson’s been putting up since Game 1.
Worldwide Clyde
May 6th, 2011
9:30 pm
Atlanta teams always talking about bad fan support. Maybe if you show up to play during big games more people would show up.
O'Brien
May 6th, 2011
9:31 pm
The thing with the Bulls too, is that defense and rebounding travels well.
Jump shooting, comes and goes. All season long, we have relied on jumpers, while the Bulls have relied on their defensive scheme, thanks to their defensive mastermind coach.
That being said, this is still just one loss. If we win game 4, it’s a 2-2 game, and probably a 7 game series.
Brandon
May 6th, 2011
9:32 pm
In the post-game interviews, I want to hear Horford address that he played like garbage and guarantee that he comes out playing better in the next game. I want to hear the same from JJ and Jamal, but it means more to hear it from Horford. I’m used to these types of performances from JJ and Jamal, and I know they are streaky players, but Horford is usually pretty consistent. I want to know what his problem is. This is one of the most disappointing games I’ve seen out of Horford in a long time. Even if he overall stat line didn’t look that bad, he just didn’t seem like he was into this game at all. He looked like a different person.
Can’t someone make Horford angry like they did during that Bulls home game in early March when he totally dominated? Where is that angry, fired up Horford that I’m used to seeing at home in the playoffs? I want to see some aggression. I’m talking about rising up and dunking the ball in someone’s face like you want to hurt them. I’m talking about muscling your way through the paint and shoving people out of the way for their own safety. I don’t care if Al is not that type of guy all of the time, I’ve seen him do it before, and I know he can do it again. We need him to show what he is made of. This is the playoffs, there’s no room for weak play. If you don’t want to come out and play, then don’t bother suiting up!
G.I. 74FOLK GDN
May 6th, 2011
9:33 pm
Chiagoland!!!!!
The Hawks is Trash deez knaggers suck.
G.I. 74FOLK GDN
May 6th, 2011
9:33 pm
Atlanta wont win another professional sports title in a major sports ever again1!!
J from the A
May 6th, 2011
9:34 pm
Ah, look. Fake Chicago gangsters are showing up now, lol.
G.I. 74FOLK GDN
May 6th, 2011
9:35 pm
Atlanta Sports sux and iz full of men that kiss men
- regards from Gary, IN
STRETCH
May 6th, 2011
9:35 pm
“Josh Smith cant do anything on offense, I’m sure we could find somebody ANYBODY that can. People ride his testicles because he’s athletic. There are lots of athletes who ride the bench or dont make it long in the league.”
They will not do anything until JS is gone. Package JS, ZAZA and Marvin for a real center. These last two games just showed that AL is being over worked on the defensive end and clearly needs help.
THIS TEAM SUCKS, AND THIS FAN BASE SUCKS ALONG WITH MANAGEMENT.
J from the A
May 6th, 2011
9:38 pm
Correct that: not even a fake gangster, rather a wannabee doughnut. Sorry about the confusion.
brigadierjerry
May 6th, 2011
9:38 pm
Josh Smith cant do anything on offense, I’m sure we could find somebody ANYBODY that can. People ride his testicles because he’s athletic. There are lots of athletes who ride the bench or dont make it long in the league.
Marvin Williams and Josh Smith are 2 of the biggest cancers on any team in the NBA. Both on the same team.
I dont disagree with you on the team needs changes but unless you telling me you getting Cp3 and Dwight Howard or the trade that the knicks made for melo and what nuggets got back in return, it will be hard to get equal value. Look what the trade the Orlando Magic made the team got worse
Brandon
May 6th, 2011
9:39 pm
By the way, the fan support tonight was not impressive at all. But, I can’t really blame the hometown fans. It’s not like the home team gave them much to cheer about. They were, basically, down for the entire game, and there were almost no highlight plays to get you out of your seat on behalf of the Hawks. I wouldn’t be surprised if the fans at the next home game are primarily Bulls fans. I’m not saying that I support that idea at all, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see that knowing how the Hawks came out and laid an egg tonight.
If I’m the coaching staff, Teague gets a pat on the back, Josh gets a motivational speech about shot selection, and everyone else gets roasted for the way they represented the ATL tonight. The coaching staff needs to show some fire also. No more friendly pep talks. The attitude from here on out should be that if you don’t come to play, you sit for the game, regardless of whether bench scrubs have to play big minutes as the result of it. I just want to see 5 guys on the court giving it their all for the Hawks. I don’t care who those 5 guys are.
Jay Dubu
May 6th, 2011
9:39 pm
It’s not that bad that the Hawks lost, it’s just the way that they have lost the past 2 games…no continuity on offense, out rebounded by the bulls, and no energy or passion.
brigadierjerry
May 6th, 2011
9:41 pm
G.I. 74FOLK GDN ,
thanks for your wonderful comments I am sure your parents would be so proud of you,
now stfu and gtfo the hawks forum!!
O'Brien
May 6th, 2011
9:41 pm
Hawks: 1-6 from 3, Bulls 10-20 from 3.
Hawks: 34 rebs, Bulls 47 rebs.
Hawks: 15-25 FT, Bulls: 15-18 FT.
N.D.T.K.A.
May 6th, 2011
9:43 pm
Hawks were outworked, outhustled, out intensity, out defensed, and out everything. No passion to defend home court.
Anyone notice Scottie Pippen before the game talking to Luol Deng at the shoot around?
Teague continuing to play well despite being exiled to the bench most of the season.
J from the A
May 6th, 2011
9:44 pm
O’Brien
May 6th, 2011
9:41 pm
“Hawks: 1-6 from 3, Bulls 10-20 from 3.
Hawks: 34 rebs, Bulls 47 rebs.
Hawks: 15-25 FT, Bulls: 15-18 FT.”
Looking at the bright side, the Hawks got to the line, and they didn’t take a lot of 3’s.
But there is no positive spin to put on those rebounding numbers. Hawks got to get it on the glass.
ANT BANKS
May 6th, 2011
9:44 pm
i will take a loss of this series, if it means that teague will be a continous starter, gettin’ atleast 25+ min/night.
GO HAWKS!!
dacheesecakeman
May 6th, 2011
9:45 pm
hawks better get their acts together. as good as he played, teague can’t be your highest scorer. the offensive production has to be through joe and/or jamal.
G.I. 74FOLK GDN
May 6th, 2011
9:45 pm
The Pacers were much better team than the Hawks!!!
an this guy is a hawks fan? lol
May 6th, 2011
9:45 pm
Slimjr
May 6th, 2011
9:27 pm
This series is over! Game 1 was a fluke….
J from the A
May 6th, 2011
9:46 pm
@GI 74Folk GDN: And doughnuts are soft and fluffy. Do you have a point?
G.I. 74FOLK GDN
May 6th, 2011
9:49 pm
J from the A
Come on joe, dont compare homolanta to anywhere in Chicago land in any way. Bunch of country bumpkins!!!!!!!! go dance to kiddy bop hip-pop songs and cheer for horrible sports teams!!!!!!1111
superiorblogman
May 6th, 2011
9:50 pm
G.I. 74FOLK GDN
May 6th, 2011
9:35 pm
Atlanta Sports sux and iz full of men that kiss men
- regards from Gary, IN
You are a bytch not a gangster. I hope your whole family dies tonite, now come get real gangsta with me bytch. My grandma grew up in Gary, still got family there and I know for sure, they real gutta and don’t give a phuck about a game and never owned a computer in there lives. Just like so-called Gangsta Gibbs got to come to ATL and get with Jeezy to get any exposure your bytch ass and all your wack as Chicago wanna-be gansta fans got to come to ATL to try and get exposure. That shi+ is pure disrespect Chicago fans are not even that rowdy when they play at home, you come to our gym just because the fans don’t care. Mark my words some of you phucks are gonna end up dead after one of these games and I hope I am there to piss on your grave fake gangsta bytch.
J from the A
May 6th, 2011
9:50 pm
But doughnuts are a sweet breakfast pastry. Very soft and fluffy.
J from the A
May 6th, 2011
9:52 pm
Oh, and I am not taking about Gary, Chicago, and anywhere else. I am talking about your soft, fluffy doughnut a……
G.I. 74FOLK GDN
May 6th, 2011
9:52 pm
These country knaggers tryin to talk tough AAAHAHAHAA
BILLY KNIGHT
May 6th, 2011
9:53 pm
I told my home boy to starte collins, horford body language is bad at center, playing with no toughness.
G.I. 74FOLK GDN
May 6th, 2011
9:54 pm
I am gay.
G.I. 74FOLK GDN
May 6th, 2011
9:54 pm
Oh yea, Chicago the birthplace is soft, but fake false flaggers in ATL are real deal aahahaahahahahahaha you guys are more of a joke than the Hawks.
Rod from College Park
May 6th, 2011
9:55 pm
G.I. 74FOLK GDN,
Go find some Vice Lords to argue with clown.
BILLY KNIGHT
May 6th, 2011
9:55 pm
Horford and Josh was destroyed in the paint, HAWKS 34 rebounds bulls 46, collins have starter in game 4 to keep noah of the boards to many second chance points.