Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 97, Pacers 87
Here is the updated game story from the Hawks’ win over the Pacers, which snapped a three-game losing streak.
You can call it the Highlight Factory again.
The Hawks snapped a three-game losing streak – all at Philips Arena – with a 97-87 victory over the Pacers Wednesday night.
Josh Smith had 28 points and 12 rebounds to lead the much-needed effort for the Hawks (17-9). His one-handed dunk off a Marvin Williams’ missed 3-pointer punctuated his performance. Joe Johnson added 20 points as the team improved to 12-1 when he scores 20 or more points.
“We played like a desperate team,” Smith said. “That is how we have to play night in and night out, like we need to win.”
It wasn’t exactly easy.
The third quarter almost bit the Hawks again. The Pacers cut an 18-point halftime deficit to just eight points, 80-72. They would get as close as seven points in the fourth quarter before the Hawks pulled away.
“Energy, that was the difference,” coach Larry Drew said. “We are like night and day when we play with energy. We were able to sustain it. We came out and played energized basketball.”
Kirk Hinrich scored a season-high 17 points and Tracy McGrady added 13 points as the Hawks snapped a streak where they lost three times at home by a total of 39 points.
“Kirk came in early and was really, really energized,” Drew said. “Right now he is really trying to get his legs under him [after shoulder surgery]. This is still like training camp for him.”
Smith was 11-for-17 from the field, including making both his 3-point attempts, and had five steals and three blocked shots.
“He played just super,” Drew said of Smith. “I don’t think Josh gets the credit he deserves for what he brings to the table. He is a guy who can impact it on both ends. He was certainly a difference maker tonight.”
Danny Granger led the Pacers (17-8) with 21 points.
The Hawks led by as many as 21 points in the first half.
The lead was fueled by a 20-6 run in the second quarter after a scary moment involving Jeff Teague. The point guard drove the lane and took a nasty spill over the Pacers’ Tyler Hansbrough, hitting his head on the floor. However, the official ruled that Hansbrough was pushed by Ivan Johnson, who was called for a foul and then assessed a technical. Teague has an ice bag on his head during the ensuing timeout, but missed no time.
Teague said he also hurt his wrist in breaking his fall.
The ensuing run gave the Hawks a 55-34 lead. They kept the cushion until David West hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to cut the lead to 18 points at the break.
Johnson scored 16 first-half points while Smith added 13 and Hinrich added 11.
“I wanted to get us off to a good start,” Johnson said. “We haven’t gotten off to great starts as of late and I wanted to be aggressive, try to make plays and get other guys involved.”
The Hawks did come out fast, scoring 32 first-quarter points. It was their second highest point total in the opening stanza this season, a point shy of 33 points they scored against the Bulls on Jan. 7.
The Pacers failed early to take advantage of the height advantage at center in 7-foot-2 Roy Hibbert. He scored just four first-half points, both from outside the free-throw line. He finished with 10 points.
The Hawks out-rebounded the Pacers 45-33 as they showed a concerted effort on the glass and chasing down loose balls.
The Hawks are now 10-5 since losing Al Horford to a torn left pectoral muscle. Johnson acknowledge that most of the early success without the two-time all-star game against lesser opponents.
“Just to be realistic, the teams we were playing at first, those were subpar teams,” Johnson said prior to the game. “Those are teams you are supposed to beat whether I’m playing or whether I’m not playing or whether Al is not playing. These last three games we have played quality playoff teams and we’ve got to beat some of these teams. It’s no knock – I’m not saying we are a lot better than them. I just think the effort we’ve been putting out these last three games, we can get away with that against subpar teams. But against teams over .500, quality playoff teams, we’ve got to play hard and relentless for 48 minutes.”
The played with energy Wednesday in turning around their fortunes.
- Chris Vivlamore
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278 comments Add your comment
Buddy Grizzard
February 9th, 2012
11:00 am
“By Drew continuing to use “energy” as the main reason why the Hawks win or lose games, it absolves him of any responsibility.” – northcyde
Haha… now that Drew sees that Vlad lacks “energy,” maybe he will stop rolling him out there to lose games for the Hawks.
DS
February 9th, 2012
11:00 am
Wouldn’t it be funny if we signed Jarron Collins?
doc
February 9th, 2012
11:00 am
squawk, at least one of the captain mirrors what the coach wants. usually one of the silent understood prerequisites for being one. he is to talk up what the coach wants to lead them where he wants them to be led. they are to bring cohesion rather than chaos. so why wouldnt he to the press say exactly what ld wants to do or to the players as well? when captains dont, things begin to fall apart and a sign things are not right and players arent listening.
bamaboy
February 9th, 2012
11:01 am
A small forward supposed to be the most versatile player on the team make jumpers and make layups Marvin miss and hit the floor more than he make layups, even larry bird could finger row
doc
February 9th, 2012
11:02 am
ds, that would make it very tough, it it twin 1 or twin 2? is it by birthing or appearance in a hawks uniform?
darrell starks
February 9th, 2012
11:03 am
STARTER TEAGUE, JOE, TMAC, JOSH, KYRYLO
BENCH HINRICH, GREEN, MARVIN, IVAN, ZAZA
RESERVE PARGO, VLAD, COLLINS
PLAYER COACH STACK
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Buddy Grizzard
February 9th, 2012
11:06 am
“ZaZa would be ranked tied for 16th in scoring and rebounds among NBA Centers if those were his season long averages.” – SteveW
And how many people on the blog mocked the idea that Zaza was the best backup center in the NBA, or my assertion that if he was a starter, he would be one of the top 15 centers in the NBA? His stats would be even better if he was playing 30 MPG.
Rev in Tampa
February 9th, 2012
11:13 am
Not a SVG fan. In fact, as a Hawks fan, I am obligated to despise him (in the best Christian way possible).
That being said, I appreciate his ‘team-first’ attitude toward coaching. Compare his presser after the Magic lost to the Clippers with the ‘me-first’ drivel we get from LD:
http://www.nba.com/magic/video/2012/02/06/MVI7245MOV-1992065/index.html
Najeh Davenpoop
February 9th, 2012
11:13 am
“Wouldn’t it be funny if we signed Jarron Collins?”
LMAO don’t give them any ideas
yoursporthouse dot com
February 9th, 2012
11:16 am
I think ZaZa is underrated. Perhaps it may be because he tries to draw the foul to much instead of sticking the ball in the hole. He sometimes hesitates as well. All in all, I think Zaza was a steal when we traded for him with Milwaukee.
darrell starks
February 9th, 2012
11:18 am
doc LOL!!!!!!! AT BIRTH
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
Slimjr
February 9th, 2012
11:19 am
Hey Buddy your not crazy after all Sir! Hahaha…
Slimjr
February 9th, 2012
11:20 am
Hey Rev the losing streak is over? They may start another one?
Slimjr
February 9th, 2012
11:21 am
That Magic game is a Trap…A trap?
bamaboy
February 9th, 2012
11:24 am
How many times ld whistle a game
Astro Joe
February 9th, 2012
11:34 am
Rev, this team is devoid of leadership, from the very top down. So many of this team’s issues fall in the “intangible” category. Stuff that has little to do with how high you jump or how well you dribble. But as long as the owners get their revenue from 6 home playoff games, they likely won’t risk changing the culture and missing out on the cheddar.
Grandad
February 9th, 2012
11:39 am
Some of you people [nc] credit the players when the Hawks win.
However, when the Hawks lose, it’s the Coach ?
Admittedly, I had grown weary of Woodson;
and last year became disenchanted with LD.
Plus, the jury is still out with LD, so I’m not his complete advocate.
But, so what if LD uses the phrase energy.
Someone last eve wished for a “synonym”, here goes:
activity, ardor, dash, drive, effectiveness, efficiency,
endurance, enterprise, exertion, fire, initiative, *intensity,
spirit, & vigor, to name a few.
*intensity was “my” overused word when coaching.
How about an antonym: [or five]
idleness, inactivity, laziness, lethargy, tiredness.
Okay so LD says energy I said intensity; so what ?
Another thing, didn’t Josh make that same quote ?
____________________________________________
Honestly;
there’s alot of truth in the energy / intensity thing !
Joe mentioned;
“were better than these teams” [paraphrase]
I say;
where do the Hawks get off thinking they are better than anyone ?
The Hawks need the old Georgetown Attitude [John Thompson # 1]
Us against the world baby !
Rather than their ostentatiousness combined with laissez faire approach.
Bring the Intensity Baby !
Astro Joe
February 9th, 2012
11:46 am
Grandad, they don’t have the mental toughness nor the emotional stability to maintain the level of intensity needed to do big things. They are too easily distracted from the goal. That is why they use the same 2-3 excuses loss-after-loss for the past few years. They know what they are supposed to do, they just can’t maintain the focus to consistently do it. (But that is likely true for a dozen or so other teams that we don’t follow daily).
Just Joe
February 9th, 2012
11:51 am
ZaZa is not a better backup center than Omer Asik. Chris Kaman? Enes Kanter? Ian Mahinmi? Tiago Splitter? Chris Anderson?
He’s definitely top 5 though. I just wish we didn’t have to start him, where he probably ranks somewhere around 20-25th in the league among all centers (21st in PtsP48, 23rd in RebsP48, 34th in BlocksP48, 16th in StealsP48, 11th in AssistsP48). If he had any vertical at all, allowing him to blocks more shots & finish at the rim, he’d be a solid starter in the league.
STRETCH
February 9th, 2012
11:54 am
I knew it. Hawks sign Dampier to 10 day contract.
PMC
February 9th, 2012
12:05 pm
Well here’s to hoping for 7 ft of defense and rebounding. I could care less if he scores.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
February 9th, 2012
12:08 pm
Will Dampier stay healthy?
Slimjr
February 9th, 2012
12:08 pm
Another Stiff………………….YAWN…..
Slimjr
February 9th, 2012
12:09 pm
He and Collins can talk about life as a 7 footer…nice…….Blah……
SoullRenaissance
February 9th, 2012
12:10 pm
We got our big!!!! Its ECF Time !!! LOL…ehh.
KevinM
February 9th, 2012
12:10 pm
“Buddy Grizzard
February 9th, 2012
11:06 am
“ZaZa would be ranked tied for 16th in scoring and rebounds among NBA Centers if those were his season long averages.” – SteveW
And how many people on the blog mocked the idea that Zaza was the best backup center in the NBA, or my assertion that if he was a starter, he would be one of the top 15 centers in the NBA? His stats would be even better if he was playing 30 MPG.”
Hey Buddy, those stats last night for Zaza in ‘38 minutes’? 9/8 and ZERO blocked shots. You shouldn’t expect more from your C than that.
And Kaman gives you 15/9 and 3 blocks in 30 minagainst the Bulls….and he makes more because of it. Too bad he isn’t under consideration from our GM. Oh, and Kaman was on hiatus for 2+ weeks.
Rod from College Park
February 9th, 2012
12:14 pm
While we bash the Hawks (ASG) for not wanting to win a World Champoinship, I can truly say that there is no way possible that you should go into the Luxury tax for Eric Dampier. We shall see how this 10 day thing goes, but it looks like Pargo will be the odd man out.
bamaboy
February 9th, 2012
12:16 pm
Everyone says we need a big , we need a big !!!! A big that can’t jump = a pole
Slimjr
February 9th, 2012
12:18 pm
Thank Mr godfather/Chief ganster for your mesmerizing words of encouragement describing your partners (AKSG) in the “crime” of bullchit…
KevinM
February 9th, 2012
12:18 pm
Repost…fitting for the moment now that we have ‘Damp’
“Now be prepared that the big we are going to get is going to be closer to Collins than to a Cousins, so don’t expect a lot from Sund other than a stop gap measure”
Slimjr
February 9th, 2012
12:19 pm
{gangster}^^^^
Slimjr
February 9th, 2012
12:19 pm
The Dumpster?
justahawkfan
February 9th, 2012
12:20 pm
Bill Walton you had only two good years when you played in the NBA, so shut your brittle, head ban wearing, dope smoking arse up.
Grandad
February 9th, 2012
12:23 pm
Would have preferred Mickell Gladness;
waived by the Heat.
Slimjr
February 9th, 2012
12:24 pm
We’ll miss ya Pargo! Shoot….
Buddy Grizzard
February 9th, 2012
12:26 pm
“I can truly say that there is no way possible that you should go into the Luxury tax for Eric Dampier.” – Rod from CP
We’re not going into the luxury tax for Dampier. We’re going into the luxury tax for Jerry Stackhouse. If they cut stack, they have just enough room under the tax to juggle some 10 day contracts. But guaranteeing Stack & Pargo through the end of the season, the only way the Hawks can get under the tax is a trade where they send out salary and take less salary back. For example, Kirk to the Lakers for their trade exception.
northcyde
February 9th, 2012
12:34 pm
Grandad, I give credit to players and the coach. He definitely got credit for switching to a zone when we beat the Heat @ Miami. He got credit when he decided to play JJ, Smith and Teague the entire 2nd half in one of our recent games ( I think the Detroit game ).
The only thing I’ve asked from Drew, is to know his personnel. Drew using “energy” as the end all, be all for the success or failure of this team is a cop out in my opinion. It takes the responsibility of him making the right in-game adjustments away from Drew. If he knew his team better, he’d be able to coach them to victory even when they didn’t have the energy.
KevinM
February 9th, 2012
12:42 pm
Didn’t ‘Damp’ turn us down years ago to sign with Dallas in ‘04?
Here’s an excerpt from 11/09 about Damp being appreciated in Dallas..
“”If you take him off this team, we’re not going anywhere,” Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson said. “I know in the locker room and in 29 other front offices he’s appreciated. He’s a true big man who can rebound and block shots. Those guys who have the experience that he’s got are hard to find.”
Funny how things work out for some teams…
heartofdarkness
February 9th, 2012
12:53 pm
The “Johnson” quoted at the end of the article should be given an award for courage in saying to the media what is obvious to everyone who watches the games. Maybe he didn’t give his first name for deniability purposes. Imposing their will to get high percentage shots and forcing opponent turnovers is still a problem for this team when playing opponents with equal or better athletic talent.
Good assessment on Josh, Hawkeye. I would add he should work on getting early position when rebounding at the offensive end and learn to use the glass more. His 19 foot shot should be reserved for when the defense sags into the paint, not for bailing out the offense because of over-dribbling by the guards.
Astro Joe
February 9th, 2012
12:56 pm
Rod, I agree. If the owners are willing to dip their toes into the luxury tax world, then use the MLE on a true quality player and not some combination of Dampier and Stack.
And as I said earlier, until they get to see a guy run up and down the court and prove they can play effectively in this compressed schedule, there is no need to guarantee a contract to any of these guys who have been sitting around watching NBATV.
O'Brien
February 9th, 2012
1:15 pm
I’m cool with signing Dampier, but I would not go into luxury tax for him. My issue with Rick and the ASG was I think Dampier would contribute more to the team than Stackhouse would, so I would have let Stackhouse go to free up a roster spot.
•#Hawks slightly above tax line now. Playoff run would trigger contract incentives for potentially big bill.
I wonder what will the ASG do, because I’m confident they will find a way to get under the LT line.
Slimjr
February 9th, 2012
1:23 pm
Josh handles are “terruble”.. Got to work on them weak handles to get the shot he wants in the mid range area and in the post area….
Astro Joe
February 9th, 2012
1:27 pm
First of all, it appears Dampier is signed to a 10 day contract. No luxury tax implications as long as it doesn’t transition into a guaranteed contract for the remainder of the season.
Second, the Hawks face the Magic twice in February. Don’t be surprised if Dampier is a “term employee” who will be signed to 2 10-day contracts to cover the Magic games this month. The next time we face Orlando is in April (and D12 maybe playing for another team).
I know we don’t typically care about the economics (except when complaining about a player’s salary), but if they can use the 10-day contracts to bring in short-term and semi-useful players (e.g., Dampier for 20 days, followed by a Solomon Jones type for another 10-20 days, etc.) that wouldn’t be a bad approach. There will come a time that the 10 day contracts are no longer available, but they should be able to play that game until the trade deadline when something could potentially shake loose that makes sense.
DS
February 9th, 2012
1:28 pm
Does anyone know whether Dampier will be ready to go tomorrow?
Hollywould
February 9th, 2012
1:34 pm
Great game for Josh last nite/ cost me some dollars but it was good to see him play so hard. If KH could play like that every nite things could look up but I just don’t see it. JJ 8 for 23 from the floor. Gotta do better
Tmac fan
February 9th, 2012
1:48 pm
You guys are saying the samething about Dampier , that you said about Pargo & Willie Green . Just shut up & watch Damn !!!!
Hoops
February 9th, 2012
1:53 pm
Dampier is a man of style…check out the suit he wore on draft night – HILARIOUS!
http://hoopstopia.com/dampier-signs-10-day-contract-with/
pointguardslim
February 9th, 2012
1:54 pm
You bet against the Hawks… Good for you.
I was waiting until Troy Murphy and LAs TPE becomes available on March 1st for Hinrich. But with Kirk getting his wind back idk anymore.
I think Vlad and Murphy are making the same money I think. Too bad Vlad is a soft former Laker and Murphy’s better.
pointguardslim
February 9th, 2012
1:54 pm
Dampier’s pushing 300 lbs. He’s likely not in NBA shape.
pointguardslim
February 9th, 2012
1:55 pm
would you guys be surprised if he actually played worse than Jason Collins?