Atlanta Hawks at Pistons: Game thread
Auburn Hills, Mich.–Joe Johnson returns to the starting lineup after missing six of the last seven games with left knee tendinitis. Joe had been working out daily. He got the go-ahead to play after a workout during today’s shootaround. “It feels great,” he said. “I don’t have any pain it so that’s the main thing. As the game goes on, that’s the only concern. We’ve got to test it.”
- As for the strength in the knee, Joe said: “Not to where I want it to be but from the last time I tried to play, 10 times better than that.”
- Willie Green will miss his fifth consecutive game. In addition to a sore back, Green said he tweaked a hamstring while working out today.
- Ivan Johnson is to leave the team after the game because of a death in the family. He’s expected to return for the game at Sacramento Sunday.
- After an intense game against the Heat, the Hawks face a Pistons team that’s still last in the Central Division behind Cleveland in spite of showing signs of life since the start of February. It will be interesting to see if the Hawks are as spirited against a struggling opponent as they were at Miami.
- Larry Drew: “You say struggling but this team has won 9 of its last 15. They’ve got some healthy bodies back, they have been playing well. They are coming off a big win against the Lakers, which they have to be feeling good about. It’s always a physical game when we play this team. That’s one thing we have emphasized with our players. This may be the most physical games of this road trip and that’s the mindset you have to have going into this game.”
- Pistons forward Charlie Villaneuva (ankle) is expected to play for the first time since Jan. 4.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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600 comments Add your comment
Najeh Davenpoop
March 9th, 2012
7:56 pm
Josh is playing D like he doesn’t want to pick up his 2nd foul.
Rod from College Park
March 9th, 2012
7:57 pm
I would love to get Maxiell.
TMACfan
March 9th, 2012
7:57 pm
TMAC is playing in the first quarter?!?!?!
Is LD coaching or am I dreaming?!?!?!
bigdave
March 9th, 2012
7:57 pm
pistons all paint.
City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman
March 9th, 2012
7:57 pm
only a 3 point lead…should be up by 10
ntrigue
March 9th, 2012
7:57 pm
We didnt need a TO let them keep playing!
jlewis
March 9th, 2012
7:57 pm
Well Ramon, somebody lied, Josh said he didnt ask to be traded. You tell me the deal?
Luke Cage
March 9th, 2012
7:57 pm
Crazy game thus far
Sautee
March 9th, 2012
7:58 pm
Nice ball movement, but where is the D?
Big Lou
March 9th, 2012
7:58 pm
The Pistons aren’t going to keep making those shots. Good offense by the Hawks.
TMACfan
March 9th, 2012
7:59 pm
Atlanta’s Ivan Johnson will leave the team on Saturday to attend the funeral services of a family member, but he’s expected to rejoin the team for Sunday’s game at Sacramento. – HawksPRGuy
ntrigue
March 9th, 2012
7:59 pm
I promise yall not coach Drews decision to run offense thru Josh!
Big Al "ALL NBA" Horford
March 9th, 2012
8:00 pm
When I get back in the playoffs, I WILL BE THE BOSS, Josh will be swinging from my jock afterwards, trust me
Najeh Davenpoop
March 9th, 2012
8:00 pm
Not sure why T-Mac and Ivan are not the first ones off the bench every game.
ntrigue
March 9th, 2012
8:01 pm
Teague is in pass the 4min mark I cant believe it!
Najeh Davenpoop
March 9th, 2012
8:01 pm
Just go up and dunk it Jeff.
hawksfancents95
March 9th, 2012
8:01 pm
i forgot ben gorden was even playing anymore
Luke Cage
March 9th, 2012
8:01 pm
Broadband acting up, ticks me off!!!
City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman
March 9th, 2012
8:01 pm
teague wanted to pss
Ra'mon
March 9th, 2012
8:01 pm
I could see Josh saying something like “If you guys don’t want to win, or want to blame me for everything, then just trade me now”. I could see him saying something like that 18 months ago. I could see him telling LD or Sund that.
terrell
March 9th, 2012
8:01 pm
Teague out.
Big Lou
March 9th, 2012
8:02 pm
Lol. Here comes the Kirk.
terrell
March 9th, 2012
8:02 pm
Captain in.
bigdave
March 9th, 2012
8:02 pm
thats a poor effort on the glass Josh.
Big Al "ALL NBA" Horford
March 9th, 2012
8:03 pm
HaHa Josh shoots stupid air ball, while a 27 yr old rook goes all net
Ra'mon
March 9th, 2012
8:03 pm
T-Mac is the BEST facilitator on the team. And LD has MARVIN GAYE WILLIAMS starting? Really?
Najeh Davenpoop
March 9th, 2012
8:03 pm
So far the Pistons arena DJ has played “Rollout”, “Crazy Train”, and “He Got Game”. If they are going to play songs from more than 10 years ago, might as well play some Biggie since it’s March 9.
Sautee
March 9th, 2012
8:03 pm
The next Hawk to block out Maxiell will be the first.
Ra'mon
March 9th, 2012
8:04 pm
You country strong when you can rip the ball from Ben Wallace. I wouldn’t let Ivan date my daughter, lol.
City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman
March 9th, 2012
8:04 pm
lmaoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Najeh Davenpoop
March 9th, 2012
8:04 pm
Damien still thinks he plays for us.
terrell
March 9th, 2012
8:05 pm
lol @ Damien.
Luke Cage
March 9th, 2012
8:06 pm
had to go to a link, NBA Broadband needs to get checked out
Sautee
March 9th, 2012
8:06 pm
Joe seemed to be making a concerted effort to move the ball. Good to see.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 9th, 2012
8:06 pm
Maybe even more shocking than Damien’s missed layup was that Nique actually criticized him when he committed the foul on the other end.
ntrigue
March 9th, 2012
8:07 pm
Teague should’ve dunked that one he missed its alright though I like the energy and ball movement! Trade rumor forced Larry to change some things!
Big Lou
March 9th, 2012
8:07 pm
Different game than expected so far. There is zero defense on both sides…
Ra'mon
March 9th, 2012
8:08 pm
AJC should make you do email verification before being allowed to post on the blogs. That would clean up the entire site so much more.
Big Al "ALL NBA" Horford
March 9th, 2012
8:08 pm
Biggie like Pac overrated, they just media made legends.
Big Al "ALL NBA" Horford
March 9th, 2012
8:09 pm
Also like Josh Smith, overrated, but an underachiever, dude was scared to go to college, SAT’s of 12 will do that
Najeh Davenpoop
March 9th, 2012
8:09 pm
Wait, the Hawks got 3 rebounds TOTAL? That is pretty sad.
jlewis
March 9th, 2012
8:09 pm
Ramon:
MC said he re-interated his trade demand, thats not 18 months ago, so MC is embellishing or Josh saying that isnt quitting on his team? When they are winning, just like the kanard that JJ hogs the ball, not true.
Ra'mon
March 9th, 2012
8:09 pm
Stuckey throws down Kirk, and yet Kirk gets the foul?
ntrigue
March 9th, 2012
8:09 pm
Kirk No defense Hinrich!!!
Big Lou
March 9th, 2012
8:09 pm
Let’s see if LD can fix the mismatch… or suck at coaching as always.
Luke Cage
March 9th, 2012
8:10 pm
Thought Kirk was a Defensive stopper???
bigdave
March 9th, 2012
8:10 pm
Bob.. stop making me look like a fantasy genius w/ the Stuckey pick.
City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman
March 9th, 2012
8:10 pm
vlad defense…
Najeh Davenpoop
March 9th, 2012
8:10 pm
If you think Pac is overrated you must be judging him off posthumous material. “Me Against The World” is a classic.
Meanwhile Kirk gets abused by Stuckey. If there is any type of PG in the league that Kirk should be able to guard, it is players like Stuckey who use strength more than speed.
Luke Cage
March 9th, 2012
8:11 pm
Guess both teams ate some Wheaties today