Updated: Atlanta Hawks at Sixers: Game thread
Vivlamore reporting from Philadelphia.
In what has become a recurring theme, the Hawks will be short-handed against the Sixers.
Tracy McGrady (illness) and Jerry Stackhouse (personal) did not make the trip to Philly. Vladimir Radmanovic (back) will also not play. Jannero Pargo (appendectomy) remains out.
To the game: The Sixers lead the NBA in both scoring defense (allowing 87.7 points per game) and field goal defense (allowing opponents just 42 percent shooting).
“We have to be solid on both ends of the floor,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said. “They lead the league in field goal defense because they do such a good job of rotating. When you play against a team that does that well, you have to be committed to moving the basketball and making the extra pass. You can’t get stagnant and play a lot of one-on-one because you play right into what they want to do. We are going to have to be totally, totally committed to moving the ball tonight, more so than we have the whole season. If you allow them to load up on one side of the floor you are playing right into their hands.”
I asked Drew how satisfying last night’s win over the Knicks (and former Hawks coach Mike Woodson) was. He took the high road.
“I got the most satisfaction because we had lost two games in a row,” Drew said. “I told the guys before the game, our focus has to be, as we wind the regular season down, we want to finish strong. We want to be playing well toward the end and carry momentum.
“A lot was made about Woodson coming back to Atlanta and that whole thing. But our focus has to be the Atlanta Hawks and what we need to do. We haven’t played consistent in long stretches enough to get caught up in that. Our focus has to be us.”
The Sixers feature three local products in Louis Williams (South Gwinnett High), Thaddeus Young (Georgia Tech) and Jodie Meeks (Norcross High). Drew is particularly concerned with Williams and Young coming off the bench. Williams leads the Sixers in total points despite not having started a game this season.
“They are both guys when they come into the game, they change the game,” Drew said. “Louis is one of the best scorers in our league and Thaddeus has another motor. You have to combat that. You can’t allow both guys to come in and get going.”
Finally after tonight’s game – the Hawks’ seventh in nine days – they have three days off before playing their next game. Drew said he will give the team at least one day off, maybe two.
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372 comments Add your comment
High-sider
March 31st, 2012
8:05 pm
The Teague brothers need to work on their perimeter games.
Runner-
March 31st, 2012
8:06 pm
Bob Bender sounds drunk lol…
Najeh Davenpoop
March 31st, 2012
8:08 pm
Kirk at PG is slightly more tolerable with someone else (Green) on the floor who can get his own shot.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 31st, 2012
8:11 pm
Philly fans booing already. Really good sign that the Hawks haven’t lost any ground with Teague and Josh on the bench like they usually do.
High-sider
March 31st, 2012
8:12 pm
I guess the bank is open for Meeks [on that jumper] at the Wells Fargo Center; ATM’s are usually open 24hrs a day.
Runner-
March 31st, 2012
8:13 pm
So when is Pargo supposed to return? He could be huge in this final push for the playoffs
Runner-
March 31st, 2012
8:15 pm
LMFAO Marvin got bailed out
High-sider
March 31st, 2012
8:15 pm
Enter your comments here
Najeh Davenpoop
March 31st, 2012
8:15 pm
Marvin continues to play well off the bench. That cut toward the basket by him probably saved the Hawks from a turnover.
Runner-
March 31st, 2012
8:16 pm
Joe with only 2 points tonight yet the Hawks somehow maintain a solid lead
Najeh Davenpoop
March 31st, 2012
8:18 pm
Time to bring Teague back in.
City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman
March 31st, 2012
8:18 pm
joe in check once agan…it happesn everytime against the 76ers
ntrigue
March 31st, 2012
8:18 pm
time for Teague to return!
doc
March 31st, 2012
8:19 pm
goooo u of k babeeeee!!!!
Big Lou
March 31st, 2012
8:19 pm
Man.
Joe is horrible tonight.’
Josh still shooting Js, even though nobody can guard him inside.
City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman
March 31st, 2012
8:19 pm
lol and what will teague do besides miss open jumpers?
doc
March 31st, 2012
8:20 pm
its all over
City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman
March 31st, 2012
8:20 pm
iguodala ALWAYS shut joe down
Najeh Davenpoop
March 31st, 2012
8:21 pm
Teague is +6 dude. I’m sorry he f-cked your girlfriend, but he’s the best point guard on this team and the only player who can break down a defense off the dribble.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 31st, 2012
8:22 pm
Keep bringing Joe off those screens. Catch and shoot Joe > iso Joe.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 31st, 2012
8:23 pm
Condolences to MC on his Cards’ loss.
doc
March 31st, 2012
8:23 pm
sorry MC.
now to some home made sushi and beer.
cant get better than this
catch y’all for the third quarter
btw melvin didnt see you last night on kiss kam
heh heh
High-sider
March 31st, 2012
8:24 pm
Kentucky Wildcats scratch out a win over the Louisville Cardinals, 69-61.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 31st, 2012
8:25 pm
Josh and Zaza going at it?
Runner-
March 31st, 2012
8:25 pm
Hawks have no team chemistry, they’re always bi***ing at one another…
Big Lou
March 31st, 2012
8:26 pm
Stupid plays.
The Hawks should be up by 8.
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 31st, 2012
8:26 pm
Was Josh getting in zaza’s face? Butterfingers never looks to catch the ball in the paint or, his hands are made of stone whether zaza knows it is coming or not. Josh and zaza were both in position for a slam dunk.
City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman
March 31st, 2012
8:26 pm
teague is trash…I rather have a point guard who can drive the ball 65 percent of the time…lol@ getting mad on a blog site…you spend too much time on ere
Melvin
March 31st, 2012
8:27 pm
doc,
I didnt make it down but I still remember where the Jack Daniels stand at…
Section 212
March 31st, 2012
8:27 pm
Let’s go Hawks. Show some resolve
bigdave
March 31st, 2012
8:27 pm
definitely jawing at each other..
Najeh Davenpoop
March 31st, 2012
8:28 pm
Who said I’m mad? I just think your trolling is boring. If you are going to troll, at least try to be entertaining like T-S.
High-sider
March 31st, 2012
8:28 pm
Zaza [is] missing layups again.
Sautee
March 31st, 2012
8:29 pm
Just tuning in. It sure is amazing watching Anthony Davis play defense.
The #1 pick is gonna get a good ‘un.
Section 212
March 31st, 2012
8:29 pm
this was a frustrating half to watch.
City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman
March 31st, 2012
8:29 pm
how is that trolling..look up the meaning of trolling first…and yes you are getting mad ” I’m sorry he f-cked your girlfriend” you mad son
Melvin
March 31st, 2012
8:30 pm
Hawks have not business being down at the half….
City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman
March 31st, 2012
8:31 pm
I get on everyone who is playing bad and I give kudos to who is playing great! I just wish teague who drive the ball more because his jumpers are not falling at all
High-sider
March 31st, 2012
8:31 pm
Zaza goin’ one-on-one to close out the half. Was he channeling his “inner” Jamal Crawford?
City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman
March 31st, 2012
8:32 pm
I agree Melvin seem like they should be up by at least 6 points
THAD YOUNG & ALL US 76ERS
March 31st, 2012
8:32 pm
yawn !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
March 31st, 2012
8:32 pm
90% of your posts are about Teague sucking. I only responded to you because you responded to me. You are a troll. Try trolling more creatively. Have a good day.
Big Lou
March 31st, 2012
8:33 pm
“Zaza goin’ one-on-one to close out the half. Was he channeling his “inner” Jamal Crawford?”
I don’t even know why he tries to score straight up. Can’t even make wide open layups half the time.
High-sider
March 31st, 2012
8:33 pm
I hate this truncated [NBA] regular season but it beats having no season at all.
City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman
March 31st, 2012
8:34 pm
off topic…dish network still hasnt renewed a deal with peachtree tv…guess ll have to stream games from my computer this season smh
MattP
March 31st, 2012
8:34 pm
speaking of trolls, I see we got the 76er troll back.
City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman
March 31st, 2012
8:34 pm
lol@90% dude be on here all day long…jobless
MattP
March 31st, 2012
8:36 pm
“lol@90% dude be on here all day long…jobless”
You are jobless?
Big Lou
March 31st, 2012
8:36 pm
76ers troll = Slimjr
He just jumped off the Knicks bandwagon after last night.
City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman
March 31st, 2012
8:36 pm
and I responded to ntrigue post not you…but anyways lets get this win hawks!