Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 83, Magic 78
Here is my updated game story from the Hawks’ 83-78 victory over the Magic Thursday.
This time the Hawks responded.
After watching a 17-point lead disappear, the Hawks bounced back in the fourth quarter for an 83-78 victory over the Magic on Thursday night at Philips Arena.
The win snapped a three-game losing streak and was only the Hawks’ fourth win in the past 12 games. They head to the All-Star break with a much-needed victory — coming off a 1-4 road trip and playing their second game without leading scorer Joe Johnson.
“It’s a great way to end that [bad] streak,” coach Larry Drew said. “Coming into this game, again a little short-handed, I didn’t know what I was going to get from the team. … That 10-day road trip was a concern of mine. But I thought our guys came out at the start of the game and displayed energy.”
Holding a one-point lead, Willie Green scored seven points in the final 3:06 — including a 3-pointer and a floating layup as the shot clock expired — for the dramatic win. The Hawks put the game on ice with seven free throws down the stretch.
“Right now we are happy to get this win and go into the break,” Green said. “It’s a good all-around win. Even when they made a run, team have been making runs and we haven’t been able to get back in it. But tonight, everything was different.
“We got contributions from a lot of different guys. For me it’s just about picking and choosing when to be aggressive.”
The Hawks enter the All-Star break sixth in the Eastern Conference, 1 1/2 games behind the Magic for second place in the Southeast Division.
Josh Smith led the Hawks with a game-high 22 points and 12 rebounds. Jannero Pargo had 15 points, and Green finished with 14 points.
“We played like a desperate team,” Smith said. “There was a sour taste in our mouth losing three games in a row and coming back home we didn’t want it to be a let-down loss again.”
Dwight Howard, the NBA’s 10th-leading scorer, was held to 12 points, four in the first half. The Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy product was kept away from the basket for much of the night by Hawks center Zaza Pachulia. J.J. Redick finished with 13 points, including eight in the fourth quarter.
Pachulia, who also had 13 rebounds, helped hold Howard to three first-half field goal attempts. He said he relied on his experience to keep Howard at bay.
“I’m a big fan of doing the little things because they definitely help you during the game – keeping him above you or meeting him early – those things help you as a defender and the team as well,” Pachulia said.
If the Hawks had tired legs they didn’t show early. They ran the Magic into a deep hole in the first half. However, a 17-point lead would nearly be gone after the third quarter.
Smith scored the Hawks’ first seven points and 14 in the first quarter. The Hawks used runs of 15-2 and 14-6 in the opening quarter to take a nine-point lead, 29-20. Smith put an exclamation point on his quarter with a dunk over the Magic’s Glen Davis.
Pargo scored 15 points in the first half, including 12 in the second quarter, as the Hawks built a 17-point halftime lead, 47-30.
The Hawks held the Magic to a season-low 30 points in the first half. The Magic shot only 32.4 percent in the first half, and each miss had the Hawks off and running. How bad was it? The Hawks held a 21-2 advantage in fast-break points, converting 10 of 11 chances.
The Hawks scored only 11 third-quarter points as the Magic cut the lead to three, 58-55, by ending the quarter on a 16-3 run. A Redick 3-pointer on the Magic’s first possession of the fourth quarter put the finishing touches on the Hawks’ once-large advantage.
“Not to panic,” Drew said of his instructions once the Magic had tied the game. “That is something that we are going to have to get used to, get accustomed to, because this is the NBA. These guys are good. You are going to be in situations where you have leads and teams come back and you have to maintain your composure. I think we are getting better at that. I don’t think we are there yet, but we are getting better. We have to learn have to play through bad spells. We have to learn how to play through [opposition] runs.”
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194 comments Add your comment
O'Brien
February 24th, 2012
6:13 pm
The lakers sign rasheed? I did not see that coming. But then again, they are desperate for bench help.
Hawks wouldnt want Rasheed.between rasheed and tmac, it would be anarchy, and LD might get overthrown lol.
Plus he would be a terrible influence on josh (imo).
TMACfan
February 24th, 2012
6:32 pm
HAHAHA Rasheed and TMAC over throwing LD
doc
February 24th, 2012
6:33 pm
yes that three was right below ke and though his stats say 37% from three he is 3 fr oast 17 and i dont remember him hot when he neds to be. the other problem is his total percentage is 35% so he gets worse closer to the basket or when folks are up close on him inspite of his size. he is a waste and though you might throw up yes i would rather a coach kick marvin’s ass and tell him he either plays harder or he will embarass himself right out of the league. no more protecting him by not playing marvin. i have cheerleaders that look better and guys in funny uniforms that dont trip running around and fly where he has never been to work the crowd up. catch my drift rod?
Slimjr
February 24th, 2012
7:13 pm
5-8 IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY= P-R-E-T-E-N-D-E-R-S…………………..
“Y-A-W-N”
LD YOUR PLEASED WITH THIS PAST 12 GAME STRETCH? YOUR FULL OF BS BUSTER!
BYE BYE LARRY LEISURE SUIT!!!!
PLAYOFFS? YEA RIGHT………
Buddy Grizzard
February 24th, 2012
7:15 pm
“One thing for certain is that our 2 previous GMs are probably the worst 2 in the NBA over the past 20 years, not counting Isaiah Thomas.”
I’d take Billy Knight over Otis Smith any day of the week.
Slimjr
February 24th, 2012
7:27 pm
I give Otis credit for this, he did assemble a team that went to the Finals in 08…
Hawks? Crickets……………………………..
Melvin
February 24th, 2012
7:40 pm
Rod,
I agree. I would much rather Vlad at SF than Marvin. He started earlier this season at SF when Marvin was out and did a good job if memory serves me correct. Also, I would like to see another wing player added to this roster that could create his own shot to score to take some pressure off of Joe. Stephen Jackson, Corey Maggette or John Salmons would fill in the 3 spot nicely….
I would have preferred Rasheed over Dampier any day of the week. I don’t even know why the Hawks waste a 2nd 10 day contract on Dampier and not play the guy…
Melvin
February 24th, 2012
7:52 pm
doc,
I think Marvin problems are deeper than not being aggressive and lack of heart. He really doesn’t have the skill set to be a good NBA player. I can’t recall another NBA player that was as clumsy and uncoordinated as Marvin. He seems like he doesn’t love basketball and it shows b/c his game has not improve since he came into the league except for his 3pt shot. He’s just a tall guy with a pretty jumpshot. For what Marvin makes and produce, I say give me Vlad at the vet min. Where some may see potential, I see lack of skill set in Marvin.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
February 24th, 2012
7:55 pm
*Yawn*
northcyde
February 24th, 2012
8:01 pm
Rod, Vlad has not only played 20 minutes and not score in a game ( the first Miami game ), he’s played in about 3 other games where he approached 19 minutes and didn’t score.
Making the case of T-Mac being better that.Marvin is one thing. But Vlad is arguably the 2nd worst player on the team.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
February 24th, 2012
8:12 pm
Raymond Felton almost made it to the all-star game last year under D’Antoni. Now he can hardly get playing time. Lin got waived a couple of times now he is a candidate for rookie of the year under D’Antoni.
Sautee
February 24th, 2012
8:30 pm
Good evening, T-s. Are you here to falsely accuse me again, and shut down the blog?
Undisputed Champ
February 24th, 2012
8:33 pm
What taking so long to trade Jeff Teague and Al Horford.
Sautee
February 24th, 2012
8:42 pm
To answer your question, since you won’t answer mine, Horford cannot be traded until Mar. 1st because of his BYC status. I thought most informed basketball fans knew that.
BIG DOG
February 24th, 2012
8:45 pm
If LD was coaching soccer team over in europe he be missing right about now.
HOW IN THE HE!! IS MARVIN STARTING OR EVEN IN THE NBA SMH.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
BIG DOG
February 24th, 2012
8:54 pm
My opinion is that Marvin have no desire or disentrance in playing basketball.
So why is he even in the game or why is coach starting him there has to be some questions ask from the media or somebody, it’s like Marvin is part of the mafia and every one is scared to ask questions.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
soullrenaissance
February 24th, 2012
8:57 pm
LOL – right on BIG DOG – Marvin is garbage and Vlad is a hot mess. Besides that big 3 he hit last night, his game has been, ehh. Forget ’saving him for the playoffs’ we need to plat TMac more for better playoff seeding.
soullrenaissance
February 24th, 2012
8:58 pm
Oh yeah and LD is still behind the (8)
the sorry excuse for an NBA coach is satisfied with that horrendous stretch of losing.
soullrenaissance
February 24th, 2012
9:24 pm
…and if you guys are guessing that Im Drmaryb queen trollette and the puppet master for Illumination, you are absolutely correct boys.
O'Brien
February 24th, 2012
9:33 pm
Melvin,
For the season;
Marvin: 41% FG, 43% from 3, 9 pts, 5 rebs in 24 mpg.
Vlad: 35% FG, 37% from 3, 5 pts, 3 rebs in 17 mpg.
Both are in a major slump, but Marvin has better overall numbers, and is a better defensive player.
Dont get me wrong, I would rather Vlad at $854k instead of Marvin at $7.5 mil. However, we are stuck with both (for the time being), so taking salary out of the equation and just focusing on performance, I think Marvin is a better player than Vlad.
Fundamentals
February 24th, 2012
9:41 pm
Few remember Rasheed was a Hawk for one game. He refused to play here as do all other quality free agents. Folks may hate on Joe, but at least he came and tried. We’re just upset b/c we demand more of him. Maybe we should at least recognize the glass is/was more than half full when it comes to Joe. This team fails because it could never draft well, couldn’t attract quality GA, and has never developed or maximizes talent in 25-30 years.
We will rebound, make the 2nd round and be back to the same questions in June. We’ll pies away our draft picks, sign on the cheap and hope to meet expectations on minimum talent. That is the Hawks….PERIOD!
Fundamentals
February 24th, 2012
9:45 pm
Vlad needs consistent touches in an offensive system to be effective. I’d say Marvin does too. Teague doesn’t run the team like he did early when both did reasonably well. He’s tired, timid and in need of a boost. Showcasing Kirk absolutely derailed Teague’s confidence.
Shoot the Messenger
February 24th, 2012
10:00 pm
Teague has never run the team well because he doesnt understand the game. You guys are blaming every one for teague’s lack of confidence but Teague. Confidence doesnt equal brains.
kuhndog
February 24th, 2012
10:07 pm
I have never been a huge fan of J Smoove I liked him thought he was athletic,but I hated the way he whined.I was just on ESPN looking at stats and J Smoove ,he is in the top 20 in many categories,and in power forwards he is in the top 5 COME ON MAN smoove was right NBA “nothing but associates” I read lot on this blog but I don’t comment, but now I am I have been following the Hawks for 30 years and seen the ups and downs I still follow them.I will not spend all day playing tag blog its just like playing video games it consumes me.Josh should have been an all star David Stern not Rondo with his ball throwing antics,what a joke..its politics..but in the ATL im used to not getting any respect.
Ken Strickland
February 24th, 2012
10:15 pm
It appears LDrew has developed the same blind passion for Hinrich that he and Woodson had for Bibby. It doesn’t seen to matter to him that Hinrich can no longer beat anyone off the dribble, shoot or score, and his DEF has certainly slipped. He wastes too much of the clock out on the perimeter pounding the ball much like JJ did in the past.
Yet, Drew continues to consistently give him major mins while far more productive players like Green, TMac and/or Pargo get limited and/or inconsistent mins.
KevinM
February 24th, 2012
10:46 pm
Giving Kirk and Marvin adds up to only one reason:
Its all about who’s making the Benjamins.
Never will you see Kirk or Marvin get a DNP from this coach like he gave to JT how many multiple times?
Leave Kirk at the 2…when Joe comes back, make him earn his minutes back and let Pargo back up JT.
VRad, Marvin, T-Mac…you pick one…T-Mac probably does it best.
And we all know one category that Josh is not Top 20 in…..jumpers made in the ‘fried chicken’ zone.
Ra'mon
February 24th, 2012
10:52 pm
KenS How have you been? Haven’t seen you on here in a little while.
Ra'mon
February 24th, 2012
10:53 pm
John Wall just did best game of the night, lol.
Ra'mon
February 24th, 2012
10:54 pm
If Rasheed and TMac jettison LD, and throw Marvin in there with him, I may just be down for it.
Rusty
February 24th, 2012
11:52 pm
Fire the incompetent coach.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
February 25th, 2012
12:02 am
JT-Sura-Stephen Jackson-Rasheed Wallace
Najeh Davenpoop
February 25th, 2012
12:41 am
Sura came to the Hawks from the Pistons when they traded Sheed there. Sura and Sheed didn’t play on the Hawks together.
soullrenaissance
February 25th, 2012
2:06 am
Some lame took my handle and made a baseless accusation – I’m honored. About Sheed playing on the Hawks, I remember him playing one game and balling out offensively/defensively before being bailed out to Detroit were he promptly won it all.
LD is behind the (8).
vava74
February 25th, 2012
3:41 am
V-Rad is – unfortunately – just a different version of Marvin.
He has by far more bball skills but his focus and killer instincts are non existent.
Everywhere V-Rad has been he has done the same: looking between very good and serviceable sometimes and then disappearing for stretches and looking like a complete bum.
If Phil Jackson the ultimate motivator and master of head games could get him to perform consistently it’s certainly not mr. Larry “I don’t have a clue who to run a group of men” Drew who will.
vava74
February 25th, 2012
4:41 am
“…could not get him…”
vava74
February 25th, 2012
4:43 am
“… clue how to …”
damn typos
Stan
February 25th, 2012
7:21 am
Its startes with LD see how un motivated and no energy as he just sit on the bench wishing he was some where is
BIG DOG
February 25th, 2012
11:03 am
Stan it’s obviously LD have no talent evaluation on player’s, he should be fired at the end of the season, not a good coach just lucky with talent and some individual players, his rotation is awful and his lack of team preperation is non exist, any time your team is not compatible with getting blown out by 10points or more against good teams then there is a coaching issue.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
BIG DOG
February 25th, 2012
11:06 am
Hawks vs Magic Coach LD started Hinrich and Marvin your two worst players on the team beside Stack and Dampier SMH.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Sautee
February 25th, 2012
11:32 am
“any time your team is not compatible with getting blown out by 10points or more against good teams then there is a coaching issue.”
Oops. Poor San Antonio. Got a coaching issue I suppose since Portland beat ‘em by 30 Tuesday night. They should get rid of that bum Popovich.
Rusty
February 25th, 2012
11:41 am
TMac will be gone next year because of LD treatment. We don’t know how much he still has in the tank but we know now he still has skills. Fir that idiot LD.
Grandad
February 25th, 2012
1:55 pm
Rusty
Quote from Bill Russell: (to -Harry- himself face to face)
‘`Harry; [Gallatin] you’re a coward and everybody in the league knows it`’
drmaryb.[*_*].
February 25th, 2012
2:27 pm
yeah rod from cp! wassup baby boy? it seems to me that zaza is playing better with increased PT and consistent minutes. horford’s injury has allowed zaza to show what he got moving forward. zaza just playing solid, great at center.
Michael Cunningham
February 25th, 2012
2:45 pm
new blog posted. shutting down this thread.