Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 103, Cavaliers 87
Vivlamore reporting from Cleveland. Here is my game story from the Hawks win over the Cavs Sunday so you may comment.
CLEVELAND – All the Hawks needed was one good quarter out of Joe Johnson.
They got that – and more.
Despite being thinned by injury, coach Larry Drew was cognizant of putting too much stress on Johnson’s troublesome left knee. However, the All-Star scored 13 of his game-high 28 points in the first quarter en route to a 103-87 victory over the Cavaliers Sunday at Quicken Loans Arena.
By the end of the first 12 minutes, in which Johnson played every one, the Hawks had built a 12-point lead. Johnson was 4 of 5 from the field, including hitting all three 3-pointers, and had four assists. He scored the Hawks’ first seven points after the Cavaliers scored the first four points of the game. It would be their only lead.
The lead grew to as much as 17 points in the second quarter with Johnson on the bench for a good portion resting the knee that recently cost him six games with tendinitis. The Hawks would lead by as many as 19 points, before withstanding a third-quarter 18-5 Cavaliers run that saw their advantage trimmed to six points. Johnson answered with two straight baskets as the Hawks went on an 8-0 run and pushed the lead back to double-digits.
“I just try to take what the defense gives me,” said Johnson, who ended up playing 35 minutes. “It wasn’t anything special I was out there doing.”
The Hawks (26-19, 13-13 on the road) have won two straight as they go into Monday’s key Eastern Conference matchup with the Celtics at Philips Arena.
Although injuries forced his hand to a degree, Drew has switched to a starting lineup that features Johnson at small forward, with Kirk Hinrich at shooting guard and Jeff Teague at point guard. It’s paying dividends. Johnson is averaging 25.7 points in the past six games since returning from the knee injury. Teague finished with 18 points Sunday. Hinrich, who is averaging 9.5 points over the past nine games, finished with 14 points.
“We are doing what we have to do with all the guys injured,” Hinrich said. “It seems like, depending on what day it is, someone is hurt, someone is back. We are just trying to hang in there.”
Drew said he challenged Teague to be more aggressive in the second half and take on the challenge of facing Cavaliers star rookie point guard Kyrie Irving. Teague scored 13 of his points after intermission, including several drives to the basket.
For his part, Teague likes the three-guard approach.
“I like playing with Kirk,” Teague said. “He is going to help you out on defense. He’s going to knock down shots. He raises the level of intensity on the floor. It makes me pick up my energy because I see him playing so hard.”
The Hawks improved to 15-2 when Johnson scores 20 or more points.
It appears the three-guard approach may be around for awhile.
“It gives us another guard who can really defend,” Drew said. “It takes [Johnson] off the ball a little bit but we are still able to run things through him. With both Jeff and Kirk in the backcourt it gives us some versatility at the guard spot.
“With Kirk in the lineup, especially at the very beginning, he really gets after it. It just makes us much more aggressive and gives us another guy with the ability to break you down off the dribble. It gives us another guy who can catch and shoot. So far it has worked out.”
Josh Smith struggled offensively, finishing with just seven points on 3 of 15 shooting. Smith had more assists (season-high tying nine) and rebounds (eight) than points.
The Cavaliers (16-26), who lost for the third straight time, were led by Alonzo Gee with 20 points. Irving added 19 points and Antwan Jamison had 17. The Hawks had six double-digit scorers in a 27-point win over the Cavaliers at Philips Arena on Jan. 21.
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130 comments Add your comment
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
March 19th, 2012
2:23 pm
We will in any 1st round series if we are between the 3 and 6 seed. Cannot afford to drop to 7 which it doesn’t appear we will do.
ROFL @ people worrying about round 1. I guess winning in the 1st round gives ASG satisfaction because this team is not built to contend for !@#$ with this roster.
We are so banged up and we have to rely on T-Mac and Stackhouse to play bigger minutes with guys out.
And WTH is keeping Willie out so long? Just cut him already
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 19th, 2012
2:24 pm
Positioning!
One thing about having an easier schedule ahead, is that The Hawks are 26-19 (7 games above .500) and, they can choose what seed they bill be by handling some business on the “back nine”. A little golf speak there, but you get the point. Destiny is in their hands. No excuses – just get healthy, right Sund?
Najeh Davenpoop
March 19th, 2012
2:45 pm
“Pierce is a perfectly example since I think he played a bit of SG as well in the past but now sticks to what he can still do which is to use superior handle and craftiness to get his mid range game going against guys who are longer but not quick and adhesive enough to close him out.”
The big difference between Pierce and Joe, though, is that Pierce is a master at getting to the free throw line, which Joe has never done well.
On the positive side, in six starts at SF this year, Joe has been to the line 4.2 times per game as opposed to 2.9 at SG. Small sample size, but maybe for some reason Joe is better at attacking the basket against players his size and bigger as opposed to players who are smaller than him that he can post up more easily.
Astro Joe
March 19th, 2012
2:50 pm
I think the league is going through another evolution, probably related to the berth of the scoring PG AND lack of traditional centers. Teams are going with two smaller guards, like our current line-up, the Clippers have done the same throughout this season, along with several other teams. This line-up definitely allows Teague to be more comfortable as a scoring threat, because he knows that there are 3 other facilitators on the floor with him (Hinrich, Joe & Josh). I’m not totally convinced that SF is the right thing for Joe, his recent scoring outburst is related to his improved 3 FGA%, which is likely directly related to his knee issues. But overall, if you can use agility, quickness and speed to win games (because pure size is not as big of an issue as 10-15 years ago), then it makes perfect sense to do something like pair CP3 with Billups/Foye or Rubio with Ridnaur or the way Denver often closes games with Lawson & Andre Miller on the floor. And it kind of makes you wonder if the Hawks should maintain the structure of the line-up next season. I’d love to see Teague paired with someone like Jarrett Jack to be a younger, healthier and likely more vocal version of Hinrich (but that would require a trade).
Astro Joe
March 19th, 2012
3:02 pm
Oops, and I should add to my post above, that I could give a ISH what is best for Joe or Teague… team success is what matters and the structure seems to makes sense for a team devoid of a true center AND for a league with only a handful of low-post scoring threats who can dominate a game (or series). Now, the question becomes how to fill those slots, once you identify the correct structure. I could see someone like George Hill (along with Jack) also playing that role quite well. It has to be someone with both speed and enough size to match-up against traditional SGs (who are also fading into the sunset as difference-makers in the league).
Melvin
March 19th, 2012
3:09 pm
Astro,
I wouldn’t mind seeing Kirk re-sign but I think the Hawks will definitely have to move Marvin in the offseason to do that. With increases going to Joe and Josh, Hawks have over $60 mil invested in 6 players. They have to balance out their payroll to remain competitive and stay below the Luxury Tax b/c the penalty is more severe in the upcoming years.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 19th, 2012
3:13 pm
As of right now I am in the 6th and final playoff spot in the fantasy basketball league despite being in last place two months ago. Thanks to all the people below me who stopped updating their teams.
Astro Joe
March 19th, 2012
3:19 pm
Melvin, Hinrich wouldn’t be my first choice to return. I like him a lot and always thought that he would do exactly what Teague described above… set an example for his teammates about how to play with tenacity from the tiip-off to the last second of the clock. For a team that often uses “lack of energy” as an excuse, Hinrich is a great aspirin for that ongoing headache. But even more than that, this team needs an on-court leader. Even the most diehard Teague fans has to acknowledge that he doesn’t appear to have the personality required to for that job (which is not to say that he doesn’t have a role on the team or even as an ongoing starter). So I continue to long for someone like Jack who brings some of Hinrich’s intangibles with strong leadership qualities to boot. As far as I’m concerned, trade anyone on the team to fill the structure correctly, none of these guys have done anything but repeatedly bang their head on the same ceiling the past 3 seasons. And none of them have generated a top 20 home attendance ranking.
Rod from College Park
March 19th, 2012
3:20 pm
“It appears the three-guard approach may be around for awhile.
“It gives us another guard who can really defend,” Drew said. “It takes [Johnson] off the ball a little bit but we are still able to run things through him. With both Jeff and Kirk in the backcourt it gives us some versatility at the guard spot.
“With Kirk in the lineup, especially at the very beginning, he really gets after it. It just makes us much more aggressive and gives us another guy with the ability to break you down off the dribble. It gives us another guy who can catch and shoot. So far it has worked out.”
Some of these quotes from Coach Drew, and even Woodson are so funny to me. It took you 5 or 6 years of being around the same team, to realize that taking Marvin out of the starting lineup is a better look for this team. It has nothing to do with Hinrich, because even if you started McGrady at the 3, the team would be much better. The only issue is Marvin starting. He plays better (more aggressive) off the bench, and he really serves no purpose when he starts. I have been screaming to get Marv out of the starting linuep for 3 years. Notice since he switched the starting linup, we do not get down big early, and have been playing a much better brand of basketball. Marvin was, is, and has always been the weak link.
Astro Joe
March 19th, 2012
3:22 pm
Najeh, congrats. I hope that you don’t jinx yourself like JeJe did a few weeks ago, when he crowed about being in first place here on the blog. He was in that penthouse suite shorter than Kris Humphries marriage to Kim K.
Whoever is in first place should win by default, because that guy has only made like 2 transaction the entire season. DANG, that is wicked good.
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 19th, 2012
3:40 pm
AJ!
Awesome post re: transitonal roles in the NBA to wprk around a lack of Kareem Abdul Jabar’s in the league.
Ramon Sessions would have been perfect here for the side-kick to Jeff Teague role. I just don’t know if Sessions can play defense? Looks like Kirk is a perfect fit for us right now. Jeff loves it. Now we got to re-work the bench usage.
Astro Joe
March 19th, 2012
3:46 pm
I predicted the Hawks would win 65% of their games this season (akin to a 53 wins during a normal season). If they go 14-7 to finish the season, they will end 3 wins short of my prediction. And despite the almost hatred for the guy, I do think that injuries to Al (and others like Joe, Marvin, Willie, TMac and maybe even Collins) could easily have contributed to a handful of losses. Not too shabby for an awful head coach, awful GM, awful owners and a roster of non-superstars who can’t generate a buzz in their own city.
TMACfan
March 19th, 2012
3:50 pm
The bench is what is going to win/lose is games in the postseason.
That’s what I believe. We need to do what Jamal did except add defense.
Grandad
March 19th, 2012
3:56 pm
AJ;
Thanks for acknowledging cap`n kirk as being a solid pro.
____________________________________________
Mary Ellen;
If we are lucky Fab Melo falls past us in the draft.
*[I would rather have Dramond Green (6-6; 235 lbs) from Mich St]
-or-
*[John Jenkins; shooter from Vandy]
____________________________________________
Why are we hawks fans worrying about the play-offs
when the owners / GM-Sund don`t give a shoo shoo.
____________________________________________
doc
March 19th, 2012
4:04 pm
rod you know it is three guadline up in name only
aj we can lift our heads again as kirk comes around. shoulders affect hips, backs, knees and foot balance strength and allignment more than people realize. for back pain i always look to the shoulders and hips and often find they are skewed with one side up for both hip and shoulder. the same people have been told they have a short leg. nope they are critically misalligned and are compensating in their muscles to maintain balance. now that he has his strength and balance his
feet are under him again.
also left you a good piece on woody from nytimes yesterday on his mentor. worth a look.
JaeEvolution
March 19th, 2012
4:04 pm
Why would we want Fab Melo to fall past us? Green and Jenkins are both very nice players who can no doubt contribute at the next level, but we are at the point where we should be looking for team needs. We’ve needed no position more than C for the past 10 years, and he’s an athletic shotblocking Center at that making him the perfect fit for both Josh and Al.
doc
March 19th, 2012
4:09 pm
aj, the last week if in the playoffs is silly and you have to find out who is still playing vs who is resting. you cajt count on dwade ir labron types to even get out of street clothes. it also maybe works to our advantage if still playing for something as they are almost all at home.
bigdave
March 19th, 2012
4:14 pm
“Whoever is in first place should win by default, because that guy has only made like 2 transaction the entire season. DANG, that is (wicked good).”
…………………………………………………………………………..
lol.. c’mon Stro, its the kid of course! remember this email.. from 12.21.11; i think i took my draft waay to seriously though. i had a board and everything.. its been fun.
12.21.11
Stro joe..
1st fantasy league ever.. smh. however, i was into the pick one challenge over at NBA.com and finished in the 94 percentile..
explain the difference b/t a bench player and a flex player.. in regards to drafting and your starting lineup..
are your bench players set on a day to day basis.. as they accumulate points w/ your starting lineup..
i pretty much understand the concepts etc. just dont want to violate..
strick
March 19th, 2012
4:53 pm
jj hickson being bought out by the Kings…would help hawks wouldnt he?
Astro Joe
March 19th, 2012
4:54 pm
bigdave, much respect. Though in hindsight, I wish I had provided false advice.
. You’re having a legendary fantasy season. But it ain’t over until all of the popcorn is gone. (Or something like that).
doc, I’ll have to check out the article. And thanks for the good stuff on Hinrich’s balance/health. I was wondering why it took so long for him to “get his legs”, sounds like he was trying to get more than just his legs to act right.
Rod from College Park
March 19th, 2012
4:56 pm
TMACfan,
“The bench is what is going to win/lose is games in the postseason.
That’s what I believe. We need to do what Jamal did except add defense.”
That my friend is where the problem lies. This team will not be able to replace Jamal, because Jamal was our best scorer in the playoffs. Joe fell off, like usual, Josh dropped in production slightly, and Horford fell of in production and FG%. Stan Van Gundy, as well as Coach Thibs both stated that their defense was set up to stop Jamal Crawford, not Joe Johnson. I like TMac alot also, but he just does not have that kind of game anymore. I think Josh is a better scorer now, but we will have to have someone step up, and take over games when it counts. I am not sure we have that person on this team. I hope someone surprises me, but I won’t be holding my breath.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 19th, 2012
5:07 pm
Zaza and KG will be starting against each other head to head for the first time ever tonight, if I’m not mistaken. I will be very disappointed if they don’t get into a fight.
doc
March 19th, 2012
5:09 pm
aj it is pretty subtle stuff but at these guys level of performance it is huge. i saw a olympic hurdler going through special acupuncture to balance his body dynamics to maybe gain 2 degrees of flexion. these guys are on a different level than us humans and we forget it often. most of us couch potatoes would be still about two months from recovery of pain much less function with similar operations as he had. as in twin’s case you cant push it as the body takes 6 weeks to begin to heal itself and recarve out what it has laid down as scars begin to shift and remold. the body is fantastic and it should be allowed to heal a bit on its own and not through the hgh sh!T THAT ONLY SETS PEOPLE UP FOR RECURRENCE UNLESS MILLIONS ARE ON THE LINE. didnt mean to cap it.
Dawg
March 19th, 2012
5:53 pm
If Fab Melo is available at our pick, we need to draft him. He is tall and athletic and a shot blocker. We need to be developing someone. Our brilliant GM will screw the draft up someway.
Perhaps we will sell our pick for cash. Would it shot anyone?
Najeh Davenpoop
March 19th, 2012
6:37 pm
Willie Green is back tonight according to MC’s Twitter.
Dept. Of Unintended Irony
March 19th, 2012
6:40 pm
“Perhaps we will sell our pick for cash. Would it shot anyone?”
Who knew picks could shoot? Shocking!
northcyde
March 19th, 2012
6:45 pm
Lol@ Rod still telling that lie about Jamal. He had a great series vs Orlando and flat out sucked in the Bulls series. Dude shot 39% fg in the playoffs, yet he was our best scorer?
The Hawks bench will be more potent as a group, than as a one man circus show.
Jeff Teague is the x-factor in the playoffs. When he plays well, this team can hang with anybody. Hopefully he’ll be more consistent in the playoffs, than he has been during the regular season.
LOL Jamal our best scorer. He never shot over 40% fg in the 2 seasons he were a Hawk in the playoffs.
Rod from College Park
March 19th, 2012
7:04 pm
So the year we beat Milwaukee in the playoffs, and Brandon Jennings killed us in that series, he only shot 40% from the field. does that mean that he was not their best scorer? Your logic is flawed. I has posted article from Stan Van Gundy, and Thibs in which they both stated that the hardest guy to stop agianst the Hawks in the playoffs was Jamal Crawford. I did not make that up. That was straight from the opposing coaches mouth. One thing that we do know is that time will tell. As I continue to say, keep thinking that Pargo and Green will win playoff games for us. You will see.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 19th, 2012
7:05 pm
Andre Aldridge just made a reference to The Wire on the Hawks pregame show. Props.
Michael Cunningham
March 19th, 2012
7:12 pm
new blog posted. shutting down this thread.