Atlanta Hawks vs. Bulls: Game thread
Vivlamore reporting from Philips Arena.
The Bulls will be without Derrick Rose tonight against the Hawks, the eighth straight game he has missed with a groin injury.
For the Hawks, Vladimir Radmanovic is a game-time decision with a back injury. The forward has missed five of the past six games with “tightness” in his back. UPDATE: Radmanovic will not play.
Without Rose, Hawks coach Larry Drew said his team will not change the way they approach playing the Eastern Conference leader. Rebounding and controlling the paint will be the key.
“Still a very, very capable ball club of winning without Rose,” Drew said. “We will attack them the way we have in the past. We have to control the boards. We have to control the paint. They really play an aggressive style in the paint area. We are going to have to bring a playoff intensity against this team because they are not going to hand it to us. They are not going to roll over because Rose is not in the lineup.”
Turnovers will be another issue facing the Hawks. They committed 22 turnovers in Tuesday loss at the Bucks, tying their third most this season. Ten of those turnovers came in the first quarter when the Hawks fell into a deficit they spent much of the game trying to erase.
“That is totally against the way we want to play, particularly on the road,” Drew said. “We talk about controlling the tempo, limiting our turnovers and how important it is to win the board game. At the end of the first quarter we had 10 turnovers. We were at a pace that wasn’t very good for us. Here we are 15 games until the end of the regular season and we are still talking about the same things we were talking about the first week of the season. It is something we will continue to harp on. As a coach, you hope at this point of the season, we are past that point where we are turning the ball over that many times. It’s the way we are turning the ball over. A lot of those errors are unforced, where we are trying to force the issue. Hopefully, we’ll just get better at.”
Jeff Teague had seven of the turnovers, but Drew’s message to his young point guard was simple.
“The only thing he needs to learn is how to bounce back,” Drew said. “… At this stage the last thing I want Jeff to do is play cautious.”
Finally, Drew expects to go deeper into his bench tonight against the Bulls, the fifth game in six nights. He had wanted to play more reserves against the Bucks but didn’t want to stop the momentum the starters had in erasing a 17-point deficit. Tracy McGrady played just 6:50, Willie Green played just 6:23 and Jerry Stackhouse did not play.
“I thought we had exerted a lot of energy to tie it and take the lead and I really wanted to ride the warm guys,” Drew said. “I was hoping I could rest both Josh [Smith] and Joe [Johnson] momentarily, which they did the start of the fourth, but I thought it was important to hang on to the momentum that we did have.
“Tonight, may be a little different story. I might have to go deeper into my bench.”
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413 comments Add your comment
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
March 28th, 2012
9:27 pm
A bunch of nice guys
Najeh Davenpoop
March 28th, 2012
9:27 pm
They better get Teague back in the game if they want to make a run. Can’t score points in the half court with Kirk at PG.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
March 28th, 2012
9:28 pm
Everyone here getting aroused after we beat 3 of the worst teams in the NBA in the last week, even though we struggled in each game.
When we play the real teams, we suffer.
Just like every other team in the state (Falcons, Braves, UGA)
Low Flyin' Buzzards
March 28th, 2012
9:28 pm
I was debating between finishing watching Hawks or watch two house flies mate. I’m going with the flies !
Rod from College Park
March 28th, 2012
9:28 pm
66 points in the middle of the 4th quarter, and some think that we did not need another scorer.
bigdave
March 28th, 2012
9:29 pm
as much as i hate hearing the pundits pretty much make the east a 2 team race, there is a hell of a gap; and its not just personnel.
Free_Tracy_#1
March 28th, 2012
9:30 pm
” Tmac Fan ” – Tracy doesn’t need to retire. What he needs is to play for a team and a coach that knows how to use him.
LD doesn’t let him run the offense, doesn’t run plays for him nor gives him enough shots to be effective.
I can’t remember the last time Tracy has taken more than 7 shots per game in the last 30 odd games.
Veteran players don’t like playing for dumb coaches…and LD is a clueless as to how to win ball games. He just lets Josh and Joe shoot til they get hot and hopefully they can ride the hot hand.
That’s not coaching that’s bullish..
bigdave
March 28th, 2012
9:30 pm
thank you Joe for not surrendering the and1.. cause your fouls usually super weak.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 28th, 2012
9:30 pm
Joe tackles better than any of the Falcons’ secondary.
Rod from College Park
March 28th, 2012
9:30 pm
“Everyone here getting aroused after we beat 3 of the worst teams in the NBA in the last week, even though we struggled in each game.
When we play the real teams, we suffer.
Just like every other team in the state (Falcons, Braves, UGA)”
Remember we are tired. LOL
Low Flyin' Buzzards
March 28th, 2012
9:31 pm
Same Hawks. Beat the scrub teams and lose to the good teams.
Hawkfan
March 28th, 2012
9:31 pm
Down 15 and bring Joe and Josh back. Do we think we can make a run? LD is a real 1st class idiot While he did improve our playoff performance last year my take is that he just got lucky with a Magic matchup and a couple of well played games against Bulls. This team he will coach to 1st round exit
Slimjr
March 28th, 2012
9:32 pm
Gibson a Hawk Killer!
Najeh Davenpoop
March 28th, 2012
9:32 pm
“as much as i hate hearing the pundits pretty much make the east a 2 team race, there is a hell of a gap; and its not just personnel.”
In the Bulls’ case, it isn’t personnel at all.
Thibodeau >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> every other East coach.
DawgNole
March 28th, 2012
9:32 pm
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
March 28th, 2012
9:23 pm
DawgNole,
What is your take on this game? Love all your recent posts here. You have methodically destroyed everyone from what I’ve seen.
______________________
My take is that I’ve seen this way too many times before. All that goodwill built up during the recent win streak dashed by two consecutive dismal performances. That 4OT win had EVERYBODY hoppin’, but instead of taking advantage of that huge momentum after a well-earned day off, they take a dump last night and follow it with another one tonight. Nothing new, just sad that it’s been going on for so long in ATL (there, I didn’t say how many years for once).
nick g.chgo.
March 28th, 2012
9:32 pm
Well chgo beat magic
Sixers.an hea with out rose s no big deal..hawls are good
O'Brien
March 28th, 2012
9:32 pm
Najeh,
They just happen to have one of the 3-5 elite coaches in the league..
If the Hawks ownership wasn’t such a joke, they could have gone after Thibs. And if they weren’t such a joke, he might have considered coming here.
Slimjr
March 28th, 2012
9:32 pm
Its a wrap amigo….
Not Here
March 28th, 2012
9:33 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
March 28th, 2012
9:26 pm
The most frustrating part about watching this is that the Bulls really are not any more talented than the Hawks. Some teams (Heat, Thunder, Clippers, Nuggets, etc.) are more talented, so to see them beat the Hawks isn’t too surprising. But this Bulls team, even with Rose, is only about the same talent level. They just happen to have one of the 3-5 elite coaches in the league.
_____________________________________________________________________
Bulls 40-11 compared to the Hawks 30-21? Right.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 28th, 2012
9:34 pm
Not only did the Magic get waxed by the Knicks, but the Pacers are getting blown out at New Jersey.
Big loss for the Hawks in terms of standings. Could have really made a move if they pulled this one out.
Low Flyin' Buzzards
March 28th, 2012
9:35 pm
Everybody’s a Hawk killer…
Hawkfan
March 28th, 2012
9:35 pm
LFB
Film the flies mating up to YouTube now. Still 2 hrs till skinimax
Lon Stotts
March 28th, 2012
9:35 pm
Taj Gibson annoys the heII out of me. Glad Joe feels the same way. Someone should try to f-ck him up someway somehow every time down the court. While you love guys like him on your team, you’ve got to do whatever you can to take him out of the game– too much energy, him and Noah.
Paging Gregg Williams…
Rod from College Park
March 28th, 2012
9:35 pm
“Down 15 and bring Joe and Josh back. Do we think we can make a run? LD is a real 1st class idiot While he did improve our playoff performance last year my take is that he just got lucky with a Magic matchup and a couple of well played games against Bulls. This team he will coach to 1st round exit”
I was not luck, it was Jamal Crawford.
Slimjr
March 28th, 2012
9:36 pm
Well Larry now you will match wits with your mentor and friend Woody on Friday night!
May the best coach win…
Najeh Davenpoop
March 28th, 2012
9:36 pm
At 79-66, LD brought Joe and Josh back in, but left Kirk at PG. Maybe if you also bring in Teague, you cut into the lead. But as usual, Kirk stays at PG and the Hawks don’t score.
Get well soon Pargo.
DawgNole
March 28th, 2012
9:36 pm
Big Lou
March 28th, 2012
9:26 pm
“You sure as hell aren’t going to see much (if anything) better with the Braves. Have you already forgotten Sept?” DawgNole
Still better than watching the Hawks. New season–not to mention they are starting to heat up at the end of the Spring Season.
____________________
And how many “new seasons” have we had w/o a championship? One-hundred and fifty-four counting this one coming up. (I knew you’d want to know.)
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 28th, 2012
9:37 pm
Do the players watch film on the plane. Just study the bulls and emulate that! There is no practice, so be like Peyton Manning and just be smarter than everybody else, out work, out study your opponent.
Stop sleeping and playing ipods, PS3 and Solitaire … Hella! Read a novel about warriors … Watch Star Wars for intensity , do something but, never be out-worked.
If our players can’t motivate themselves, then get new players! Get some hungry, rabid dogs in here! I know I’m all over the place … But, this effort is pissing me off!
This game should have been circled on the calendar!!!!
Low Flyin' Buzzards
March 28th, 2012
9:37 pm
Najee Davencrap is dumb.
Slimjr
March 28th, 2012
9:37 pm
Gibson with a SEASON HIGH 17?
Another Hawk KILLER!
DawgNole
March 28th, 2012
9:37 pm
drmaryb: “We just gassed … Don’t berate them – look at management instead, thatks where the winning culture begins. We just don’t have owners that care about anything but lining their pockets.”
___________________
True enough.
Just Joe
March 28th, 2012
9:38 pm
IMO, Chicago is way more talented than we are. Noah, Boozer, Asik & Gibson up front are so much better than Josh, ZaZa, Ivan & Collins. Rebounding, defense, and shooting %’s all favor the Bulls.
bigdave
March 28th, 2012
9:38 pm
sometimes buying in, and going all out every play make up for talent. they simply play harder.. the Hawks move lethargically on both sides of the ball.
but you cant just dump on their roster.. they have the right guys to do what they do. extremely active bigs, who accept their roles. not too many running out Asik,and Taj w/ that 2nd unit..
i’d take Doc over Thibs
bigdave
March 28th, 2012
9:39 pm
mentally weak roster.
DawgNole
March 28th, 2012
9:40 pm
Rathbun’s latest jewel: “And Chicago looking like world beaters.”
No hell they’re not! They’re looking like Hawks beaters. Huge difference.
Slimjr
March 28th, 2012
9:40 pm
Boozer with the Poster and using his left hand no less? Wow….
Disaster!
Up next red hot Woody(8-1)
Hawks Need Help
March 28th, 2012
9:40 pm
Joe Johnson is like a crab, he comes out of his shell and scores 30 points per game fort 3 games then hides in his shell for 3 games…
Hawks Need Help
March 28th, 2012
9:42 pm
Noah gots lotsa estrogen…
Slimjr
March 28th, 2012
9:42 pm
Gibson is killing that front line!
What a butt whupping!
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 28th, 2012
9:42 pm
JASON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who are you?????????
What are you worth?????????
Free_Tracy_#1
March 28th, 2012
9:43 pm
I feel bad for Tracy McGrady – He went from playing for 3 Hall of Fame coaches in Doc Rivers, Jeff Van Gundy, Rick Adelman, to having to play the last 2yrs for 3 lame duck coaches in Mike D’ Antoni, John Kuester and now Larry Dummy.
Tracy really has no choice. Mgmt isn’t going to waive him. LD isn’t going to give him any significant minutes.I applaud him for keeping his cool because most players would just fake an injury, stay at home and just continue to collect a check or just become a distraction for the team and make life miserable for the coach.
Lon Stotts
March 28th, 2012
9:43 pm
Dr Mary, I devour your posts. They should make all professional sports contracts totally incentive-based. Bet you wouldn’t have to worry about whether the effort (or, as LD would say, “energy”) is gonna be there.
Not Here
March 28th, 2012
9:44 pm
Luke Cage
March 28th, 2012
8:23 pm
Bulls will not keep up with this shooting, Hawks just need to stay close
____________________________________________________________
?
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
March 28th, 2012
9:44 pm
Yeah we’re always tired
Blah blah blah
I recall Miami coming into our place on the 2nd of a back-to-back WITHOUT its 2 best players and beating us in 3OT. We didn’t play the night before either.
I am sure we were tired that night too. Horford played that night.
A bunch of nice guys
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
March 28th, 2012
9:45 pm
“drmaryb: “We just gassed … Don’t berate them – look at management instead, thatks where the winning culture begins. We just don’t have owners that care about anything but lining their pockets.”
___________________
True enough.”
They aren’t even profitable anyway. They better sell the team fast before Smoove bolts (these IDIOTS can’t even sign him to an extension this offseason because of how they incompetently handled his situation 4 years ago re Memphis’s offer sheet) and this team falls apart. Take the losses now.
SMH
Najeh Davenpoop
March 28th, 2012
9:46 pm
“but you cant just dump on their roster.. they have the right guys to do what they do. extremely active bigs, who accept their roles. not too many running out Asik,and Taj w/ that 2nd unit..”
Nah, their roster is good. I just don’t think it’s elite, or the best roster in the league like their record would indicate. Miami’s roster, on the other hand, is that much better than the Hawks’ roster in my opinion.
Slimjr
March 28th, 2012
9:46 pm
Hey Larry is this a home game?
Chicago made it look too easy and without their MVP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Dre
March 28th, 2012
9:47 pm
The last last 2 mins of this ish pissed me off. THEY FREAKIN QUIT!!!!!!!!!
Slimjr
March 28th, 2012
9:47 pm
Josh is gone after next season…Can you blame him?
Nadular Nodules
March 28th, 2012
9:48 pm
Santa Claus, can we get a coach,a center,and a new star wars figure ?