Atlanta Hawks vs. Mavericks: Game thread
Vivlamore reporting from Philips Arena.
The Hawks will be without Al Horford for at least the first round of the playoffs. This we know. It’s looking more like they could be without Zaza Pachulia. That’s the All-Star center and his backup not in the lineup versus the Celtics.
Horford, rehabbing from a torn left pectoral muscle, said he isn’t ready from a physical standpoint.
Pachulia, who will miss his seventh straight game with a sprained left foot, was wearing a walking boot when he left Philips Arena following shoot-around this morning. That’s something that he hasn’t been wearing the times I’ve seen him since suffering the injury against the Magic. Coach Larry Drew continues to term Pachulia as day-to-day. He is scheduled to be re-examined this weekend. The Hawks open the playoffs on Sunday.
I wanted to get a better idea of how the Hawks offense with differ without the two big men.
Drew made it clear this morning that it won’t be the first time they have played short-handed in such a way.
“We’ve been without both guys before,” Drew said. “We’ll just have to go out and play solid basketball, number one, and number two we’ll have to be prepared to make some adjustments. Not having your starting center and your backup center throws a monkey wrench into things but you have to keep moving forward. We hope and wish that we could have had a full squad this season, and at this point in the season, with injury being part of the game. You can’t sit around and mope about it. You have to keep moving forward and that’s what we plan to do.”
From a technical standpoint, the Hawks have been without one of their man scoring options without Horford. That has put more pressure on Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Jeff Teague.
“One thing I have tried to exploit, at least since I’ve been here, is putting [Horford] in more pick-and-pop situations,” Drew said. “I think he is one of the better pick-and-pop big men in our league. I’ve really tried to put him in more situations like that.”
While Pachulia wasn’t a primary scoring option, he knew when and how to get his points. It is his defense and rebounded that will be missed.
Without the two centers, the balance of scoring shifts according to Willie Green. That is why the Hawks’ deep bench has been such an asset this season.
“When you have Al, when you have Zaza, when you have those guys implementing your offense you are going to have a few guys dominate more – you are going to have Al, Joe and Josh. It’s going to take some shots away from other guys.
“Without those guys, you have to have substitution guys step up. It also creates a bigger role for Josh, creates a bigger role for Teague, creates a bigger role for Joe. Those three guys we are really leaning on to carry us in the starting lineup. The substitution guys can come in, get points, get some steals, create some ruckus on both ends of the floor. It’s a balance situation when you have guys in and guys out. You try to pick up the slack where you can.”
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375 comments Add your comment
DawgNole
April 26th, 2012
8:19 pm
Big Lou
April 26th, 2012
7:49 pm
“A lot of that stuff you cite is just straight-up racist–on both sides; I’m sure you’re aware of that. If/when Ryan proves his mettle in the playoffs, his blog fans will far outnumber his detractors.”
That’s the point I’m trying to make. That’s why I said Ryan has a lot of the same haters that Vick had only different skin colors.
Anyone judging a QB based on his first four years is insane. Name a current QB, either than Tom Brady, that had huge post season success in that time frame? Heck, even Peyton Manning/Eli Manning lost their first three post season games. This isn’t the NBA. It take time to build a dynasty, not only a couple of star players.
I do hope you’re right, though.
_________________________
I don’t think we have an argument here–and that’s not a bad thing at all.
Luke Cage
April 26th, 2012
8:19 pm
@drmaryb.(*_*).
Deion got charged yesterday too for assault
Now yo azz know
April 26th, 2012
8:20 pm
This stupid love affair Michael Cunningham has with Al ” I dont wanna play defense ” Horford is disgusting .
Even when Al was healthy he was a Houdini in the play offs with 10 pts ans 7 rbs while averaging just 1 blk. What the hell do we care if he comes back or not. WTF kind of story is that ? Id rather hear about the guys who dont argue about what position they are told to play. Guys who dont fight in the locker room.
Trade All Scrubb injury prone 12pts 8rb Al Houdini. He means very, little to this team and has no impact.
Find something better to blog about Michael Cunningham.
Slimjr
April 26th, 2012
8:20 pm
That Knick/Charlotte game is on TNT..Wish they would give Stephanie some air time? Hehehe
Luke Cage
April 26th, 2012
8:20 pm
Hawks clicking like a mug.
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 26th, 2012
8:20 pm
Josh jumper IS reliable in rhythm.
DawgNole
April 26th, 2012
8:21 pm
Strong start to this one for the Hawks. Always worry about the slump and simultaneous opponent rally, but I’d rather start like this than fall way behind early.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 26th, 2012
8:21 pm
Cleveland traded 4 picks to move up one spot and pick a guy who plays RB, a position where the Vikings have the best player at the position in the league. They lose.
Luke Cage
April 26th, 2012
8:21 pm
Trent Richardson will never be heard from again in cleveland.
DawgNole
April 26th, 2012
8:21 pm
Think we can continue shooting 83 percent?
Blast
April 26th, 2012
8:21 pm
Hawks are smooooooooking!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
April 26th, 2012
8:22 pm
Hawks doing an incredible job sharing the ball.
Big Lou
April 26th, 2012
8:22 pm
Haha
The Browns trolled Tampa Bay.
Sautee
April 26th, 2012
8:22 pm
“Stephanie Ready #1, Suzy Kolber #2″
Not what Joe Namath thinks.
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 26th, 2012
8:22 pm
Heyward is GARBAGE! Champs look like Chumps!
Luke Cage
April 26th, 2012
8:23 pm
Namath was also drunk too LOL!
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 26th, 2012
8:25 pm
“Hawks doing an incredible job sharing the ball”
This is how they have to play now with all the injuries. T O G E T H E R!!!
Big Lou
April 26th, 2012
8:25 pm
Even the great white hope, captain Kirk, playing good.
Rob
April 26th, 2012
8:25 pm
Glad Browns got Richardson and not the Bucs
Big Lou
April 26th, 2012
8:25 pm
Even Kirk making it happen.
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 26th, 2012
8:26 pm
Joe Namath! LOL @ Sautee.
DawgNole
April 26th, 2012
8:26 pm
Sautee
April 26th, 2012
8:11 pm
LOL @ Nique:“Nowinski”
________________________
No surprise. Speaking properly isn’t his forte. Aw, who needs it; he’s only an “announcer.”
Blast
April 26th, 2012
8:26 pm
Who is guarding Josh?
Najeh Davenpoop
April 26th, 2012
8:26 pm
Save some of those makes for the playoffs, Josh.
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 26th, 2012
8:27 pm
Heat Check JOSH!!!!! OH NO JOE!!!!!
Big Lou
April 26th, 2012
8:27 pm
Wow.
Wow!
OMG!
Big Lou
April 26th, 2012
8:27 pm
Hawks wanting to end this by half time. Lol
Najeh Davenpoop
April 26th, 2012
8:28 pm
Picks 3 through 6 have been in and tweeted out by everyone for like 15 minutes, but they won’t announce them because Chris Berman needs to wheeze about something to get his airtime.
Luke Cage
April 26th, 2012
8:28 pm
Another 30+ point 1st qtr for the Hawks, I like that trend
Blast
April 26th, 2012
8:28 pm
Hawks piling it on.
Mavs are not into this game, which is good for Hawks who are taking full advantage.
Rob
April 26th, 2012
8:28 pm
Hawks got me hype, time for another beer
Luke Cage
April 26th, 2012
8:28 pm
Damn, Blackmon going to come here to jags
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 26th, 2012
8:29 pm
Rest the Starters before someone gets injured. Mavs didn’t come to play.
Doc Rivers saying, “UH OH!!!!!” You know they game tracking now. LOL
Doc may as well pull his starters too – it’s OVA now!!!
Drew got his boys ready.
atlantadeepdirtybench
April 26th, 2012
8:30 pm
Teague 5 assists already without even trying!
DawgNole
April 26th, 2012
8:30 pm
Big Lou
April 26th, 2012
8:17 pm
Who are these Hawks?
They are playing with fire!
____________________________
Sure hope they don’t wake up. Don’t pinch ‘em.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 26th, 2012
8:30 pm
Debo just took the entire Mavs front line’s bikes.
Luke Cage
April 26th, 2012
8:31 pm
Mavs just jackin up anything
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 26th, 2012
8:31 pm
On Tap!
Shock Top (wheat I.P.A.) #2 bottle for me. LOL! 5.8% alcohol and a Cuban soaking in 100% rum. LMAO!
Now yo azz know
April 26th, 2012
8:31 pm
Al is a loser, he is not to be mentioned with Josh and JJ the back bone players on this team
Zaza
Josh
JJ
Teague
Hinrich
Al is All Average and gives up more points than he scores. Almost all players dunk on Al and he is a Houdini in the play offs. Al is only thinking about his self. He is the most selfish and divisive player on the team.
Al By The numbers:
College? 12 pts 4 rbs
Career(pro).? 12pts 8 rbs
All star ? 5pts 3 rbs
PLAYOFFS? 10pts 7 rbs
anybody can put up those numbers. Id rather keep Ivan and Zaza. Neither one complains about playing another position and both will fight their hearts out to defend the rim for the Hawks. The only thing Al will fight is his teammates over whether he can play Josh’s position or not. Al defensively and offensively weakens the team at the 4.
Al is not in the same talent level as Josh and JJ and doesnt deserve to be mention with players like Zaza or Ivan.
Trade the playoff Houdini now.
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 26th, 2012
8:32 pm
Hawks 40-26
It was a very good year. 2012
Luke Cage
April 26th, 2012
8:32 pm
Damn, all these teams trading their picks, cowboys got the 6th pick now
DawgNole
April 26th, 2012
8:33 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
April 26th, 2012
8:28 pm
Picks 3 through 6 have been in and tweeted out by everyone for like 15 minutes, but they won’t announce them because Chris Berman needs to wheeze about something to get his airtime.
_______________________
Berman’s schtick wore thin YEARS ago.
Big Lou
April 26th, 2012
8:34 pm
Come on, Teague! Play defense!
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 26th, 2012
8:36 pm
Game Face!
“LOL @ Nique:“Nowinski” – Sautee on fiyah-
I heard that one too. Nique” bless his heart, he missed “hooked on phonics” lessons. LOL!
Luke Cage
April 26th, 2012
8:37 pm
Nique with that Georgia Bulldog edumacation
Melvin
April 26th, 2012
8:38 pm
Don’t think I ever seen the Hawks shoot it that well for an entire quarter.
Sautee
April 26th, 2012
8:38 pm
If Josh doesn’t get a triple double tonight, it’ll be because he doesn’t get enough minutes. I’m guessing it happens by the third quarter.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 26th, 2012
8:40 pm
Bench isn’t impressing me so far. Gotta hold on to this lead.
Blast
April 26th, 2012
8:40 pm
Without Pargo, bench is struggling. Starters might have to play more minutes to secure home court.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 26th, 2012
8:41 pm
Don’t blame Nique. It’s hard for French people to pronounce those German names.