Celtics at Atlanta Hawks Game 5: Game thread
7:24 pm May 8, 2012, by Michael Cunningham
- Hawks starters: Jeff Teague, Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Josh Smith and Al Horford. Zaza Pachulia (foot) is out. All Celtics players are available.
- Larry Drew on why he’s using this lineup: “One, just to give it a different look and see if it will kind of jump start us a little bit. It gives us an opportunity to move Joe back to some two. It makes us bigger so we can do a few more things defensively in making some adjustments in Game 5. And I just think its’ time. After you play four games in the playoffs, obviously it’s a game of adjustment, and you try to do things to benefit your team. It’s time to give us a different look and see if it will jump start us with Al back in the starting lineup, Marvin in the staring lineup, bringing Kirk [Hinrich] off the bench.”
- Drew on Horford’s condition: “Physically he feels fine. I wouldn’t say he’s in tip-top shape but he’s in playing shape. He didn’t experience any discomfort with the pec the other day [Game 4]. There was a play early he went for the ball and it was pulled back. I thought that would be kind of the test with him. He said after the play he was fine and he wasn’t sore after that. That was kind of the test. I know coming back he was waiting for that moment to see if he could withstand a collision or pull-back with the injury.”
- Drew on how he’ll use Horford: “He’ll only play a certain amount of minutes. I could have brought him off the bench but instead of letting his shoulder and chest stiffen up while he’s on the bench elected to throw him out there while he’s warm. We want to get off to a fast start and he certainly brings an energy.”
- Drew on the benefits of the lineup for Joe: “He’s had to defend Paul [Pierce] all four games. I kind of want to give it a different look and see if that can generate more offense out of him. He’s been chasing Paul around for four games and that can put a little wear and tear on you. We’ve decided to give it a look.”
- Drew on pushing the pace with this lineup: “When we are at our best is when [Al] and Josh rebound the ball and bring it out on the dribble. We’ve been missing that with him out of the lineup. It makes us a much better running team when we have all five guys involved in the break.”
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Drew on switching defensively: “Whether we start the game with our switching remains to be seen but it does give us a flexibility. The sets we defend we are in more switchable situations. A lot of the things they do run we can play it a little differently now going a little bit bigger at the two spot.”
- Drew on matchups: “They will have to make a decision who they match up with against Joe and Marvin. If they stay with Pierce on Joe, there’s a size advantage with Marvin on [Avery] Bradley.”
- Drew said Josh (knee) won’t be on limited minutes: “This is a do-or-die situation. Al we will definitely keep an eye on, but those other guys probably will play extended minutes given the situation.”
- Josh on his knee: “It’s pretty good. I’m in it to win it. I’m here to play so I can’t worry about my knee.”
- Joe on if the new lineup will help: “I don’t know. Hopefully it works out for the best for us. At this point we really don’t know. I guess it’s just a gut feeling.”
- Joe on if moving to shooting guard will result in more touches: “I don’t know. We’ll see.”
- Josh on Boston’s D: “With the defense they play they tend to over-help at times and we haven’t made them pay yet. We’ve got to be able to take our time and knock down the open shot.”
- Joe on Game 4: “We haven’t had a game like Game 4 in quite some time. It was mind-boggling, honestly. I couldn’t get why we came out and played so poorly after we were so close in Game 3. I’m still puzzled from that. Hopefully Game 5 will be different.”
- Joe on if he thinks Game 5 will be different: “Honestly I’m not sure. I just have to wait until we get between the lines. It’s easy to talk it but it’s different when you get on the court. Hopefully we will take a sense of pride and a sense of desperation and try to make it back to Boston.”
- Josh on Game 4: “To me, to be honest, we played pretty good defense. We was with them on every shot, every catch, and they shot the ball extremely well, especially Paul Pierce in that third quarter when we were trying to make a push. We have got to to try to meet them right before they past halfcourt i guess to give ourselves a chance.”
- Drew on Game 4: “When you lose a game like that, it’s deflating. But like I told our players I think we’ve had a great season in spite of that one game. That game is no reflection on the rest of our season. It happened. We’ve watched film, we’ve learned form it and now it’s time to move on. Yesterday I was still sensing guys were a little down. After our meeting we had yesterday it seemed to kind of rejuvenate them again. And then coming into shootaround today they were back to themselves.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
1,176 comments Add your comment
Slimjr
May 8th, 2012
11:08 pm
Wow All ignore his pt guard all night..That ish was funny….
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 8th, 2012
11:09 pm
No minutes should be given to Pargo/Green unless we need a big shot to finish a quarter.
T-Mac should be well rested for game 6, if LD remembers who he is…
Slimjr
May 8th, 2012
11:09 pm
But Teague did not let it faze him..Nice wrap around dish to All for the dunk after dribble penetration into the painted area…A thang of beauty!
drmaryb.(*_*).
May 8th, 2012
11:10 pm
PP 16 pts (27.0 series avg) 6 rebs 4 assts 0 FTA’s >>> somebody locked his azz up tonight.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 8th, 2012
11:11 pm
Rod, we goin to game 6! Marvin needs to be ready for that game…Not expecting much
christopher mehegan
May 8th, 2012
11:11 pm
HEY,DAWGNOLE @DAWGNOLE HAHAHAHA IMAGINE THIS COME THURSDAY U WILL WITNESS FIRSTHAND THE FUNERAL PROCESSION OF THE ATLANTA PLAYOFF STEPPING STONE OUTHOUSE CHOKERS SEASON WILL END THURSDAY IN THE MOST AGONIZING DEFEAT EVER AS THE CELTICS WILL SINGLEHANDEDLY WIPE THE PARQUEE FLOOR GOOD WITH THE CHOKERS RIGHT OUT OF THE GARDEN BEANTOWN STYLE HAHAHAH CLOSING TIME ATLANTA TIME FOR U TO DYE CAUSE THE 1ST ROUND SERIES EXIT IS CALLING U HOME AND INTO THE OFFSEASON U GO FOR GOOD GREEN AND WHITE FOREVER BYATCH GO CELTICS C’S IN 6 AND THE SERIES 4-2 HHAHAH STUFF THAT IN UR CHOKERS PIECE PIPE
Slimjr
May 8th, 2012
11:12 pm
Pauls left knee locked him up..He was dragging that leg all night..He could not fake it..He’s playing hurt…..
Karma?
High-sider
May 8th, 2012
11:13 pm
High-sider
May 8th, 2012
10:57 pm
northcyde’s attendance at the game tonight must have been Marvin Williams’ good luck charm. Hey, northcyde, please drive to Boston [from Tennessee] for Game 6 and then to Atlanta for Game 7, if necessary.
————————————————————————————–
northcyde, don’t forget to post your driving [travel] schedule on the AJC Hawks Blog. Thanks.
Mr.E
May 8th, 2012
11:13 pm
JJ in the post game conference on the last play:
“I was just trying to find my man and JOSH made a great play on defense to seal it”
smdh
Geno
May 8th, 2012
11:14 pm
Wassup wit paul pierces little chimmy when he shoots his 3’s….. Lol
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 8th, 2012
11:14 pm
LMAO @ High-sider.
northcyde,
Go to the Boston game, and pump up Joe before game 6 so he steps up too. Just ask for 10 & 4 from Duck because when you predicted 19 from Marvin vs. NYK months back, he didn’t show up.
#WhateverItTakes
Melvin
May 8th, 2012
11:15 pm
Even when the Hawks win, their fans want to point the figure at somebody…. Just take the win..
Luke Cage
May 8th, 2012
11:17 pm
Both Sixers & Bulls going to get Brand & Gibson suspended for the next game.
Sautee
May 8th, 2012
11:17 pm
“Wow All ignore his pt guard all night..That ish was funny….” -slimjr
Astro Joe
May 8th, 2012
9:46 pm
“Horford grabs the board and gives it to Teague immediately. What a CRAZY idea”
WTF? Somebody is exaggerating.
Edgewood Adam
May 8th, 2012
11:18 pm
Karma if I’ve ever seen it on Pierce. Dude fakes like he’s hurt anytime a call does not go his way. Now it looks like he really is hurt. Could not have happened to a bigger basketball a-hole.
drmaryb.(*_*).
May 8th, 2012
11:18 pm
WOW AL!
Boy have we missed this man all year long! What a warrior-esque recovery!
Geno
May 8th, 2012
11:18 pm
@christopher M…. Your team just couldnt cut it tonight…. Its ok.. (old, injured and loosing confidence painfully)…. . Lol
christopher mehegan
May 8th, 2012
11:19 pm
EY,GINO @GINO HAHAHAHAH COME THURSDAY U WILL BE HEADING BACK TO BEANTOWN STILL DOWN 3-2 IN THE SERIES COME THURSDAY NIGHT THE CELTICS WILL STOMPING THE ATLANTA STEPPINGSTONE PLAYOFF FOOTNOTE CHOKERS RIGHT OUT OF THE BUILDING AND INTO THE OFFSEASON AND OUT OF BOSTON ON A 1 WAY TICKET TO BACK TO ATLANTA THE HARD WAY AND UR CONTINUED PERIOD OF HAWKLESS MEDIOCRITY BAD KARMA AND UNCERTAINTY WILL CONTINUE CLOSING TIME GINO TIME TO SAY GOODBYE TO THE HAWKS CAUSE THE WILL GET SHOWN THE DOOR TO THE 1ST ROUND SERIES EXIT AND THE OFFSEASON WHERE U BELONG GREEN AND WHITE FOREVER U USELESS SHMUCK GO CELTICS
drmaryb.(*_*).
May 8th, 2012
11:21 pm
Hawks stay alive, holding off Celtics 87-86
By PAUL NEWBERRY
Posted May 08 2012 11:16PM
ATLANTA (AP) Al Horford scored 19 points in his first start since January, and the Atlanta Hawks held on for an 87-86 victory over the Boston Celtics in a thrilling Game 5 of the Eastern Conference playoffs Tuesday night.
The Celtics lead the series 3-2 heading back to Boston for Game 6 on Thursday. If the Hawks can steal one on the road, the deciding game would be Saturday in Atlanta.
Boston had a chance to clinch the series when Rajon Rondo stole Josh Smith’s inbounds pass with 10 seconds remaining and raced down the court, looking for the winner. But he got hemmed in along the sideline and Smith knocked away a desperation pass, the ball rolling away as time ran out.
A relieved Smith collapsed on the scorer’s table.
Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett led the Celtics with 16 points apiece. Rondo had 13 points and 12 assists, and the last of his five assists gave Boston a chance to end the series early and get some much-needed rest. But there’s still work to do.
The Hawks kept their season going, getting a huge contribution from a player who wasn’t there for much of it. Horford went down in January with a torn pectoral muscle, missing the rest of the regular season and the first three games of the playoffs. But he made a surprise return in Game 4, one of the few bright spots in an embarrassing 101-79 loss that gave the Celtics command of the series.
Boston headed to Atlanta intent on wrapping things up, but Horford clearly wanted to play a little longer after missing so much time. He led fast breaks and dived on the court for loose balls, not the least bit worried about reinjuring himself. In addition to leading the Hawks in scoring, he grabbed 11 rebounds, dished out three assists, came up with three steals and blocked three shots.
Smith clearly looked hobbled by a sore knee, but still managed 13 points and 16 rebounds. Jeff Teague had 16 points, while Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams had 15 apiece, giving Atlanta double-figure scoring from all five of its starters in a revamped lineup. In a back-and-forth game, the Celtics tied it at 83 on Ray Allen’s 3-pointer from the corner, capping a quick 7-0 run.
The Hawks called time out and set up a play that reclaimed the lead for good. Teague drove into the lane and dumped it off to Horford for an uncontested dunk. After Garnett missed a jumper in the lane, Johnson ran down the shot clock looking as though he had every intention of shooting. But, at the last possible second, he rifled a pass to Horford coming off the wing. The big center threw up a sort of pseudo-hook with Garnett and Brandon Bass all over him. The ball bounced around the rim before falling through with 1:34 left, giving the Hawks an 87-83 lead.
With less than a minute to go, after misses by Pierce and Horford canceled each other out, Pierce was inexplicably left open for a 3-pointer. He swished it, pulling the Celtics within a point. They wouldn’t get another, even with a couple of chances.
Teague missed an open 3 for the Hawks, giving Pierce a look at the go-ahead shot. But his 18-foot jumper with Johnson in his face barely touched the bottom of the net, falling harmlessly out of bounds while Pierce looked around in disbelief, believing he must have been fouled.
Rondo’s steal gave the Celtics one more chance, but they never actually got a shot off.
Boston appeared to have the momentum, closing the third quarter on a Rondo-led 10-0 spurt that cut Atlanta’s 12-point lead down to a mere basket. The Celtics kept it going early in the fourth, pushing out to a 73-69 edge on Allen’s 3-pointer with 8 1-2 minutes remaining.
But no lead was safe in this topsy-turvy game. The Hawks ripped off a 14-3 run. The Celtics called time out and scored seven straight of their own, capped by another 3 by Allen. Looking to spark his team and generate more offense, Atlanta coach Larry Drew juggled his lineup for Game 5. Horford’s first start since his injury wasn’t totally surprising, given the center had 12 points and five rebounds off the bench in the 22-point blowout.
Perhaps more significantly, the Hawks started Williams at small forward and shifted Johnson to shooting guard, hoping that would create mismatches and give Atlanta’s top scorer more offensive chances. He took only eight shots in Game 4, a totally unacceptable number that had some wondering if Horford’s return disrupted the offense more than it helped. No one is questioning him now.
Notes: The Hawks have used three different lineups in the five-game series. … Allen kept up his solid play off the bench with 15 points. Bass had 14.
Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited
Big Ray
May 8th, 2012
11:27 pm
Somebody get the troll off the ledge….Al Horford saved the series for the time being.
Pretty good game for Jeff Teague, who seems to have grown his confidence in the jumpshot category, especially from deep.
Check that, leave the troll up there…he’s gonna jump anyway, what with two of his favorite hates playing so well.
I see Josh managed to have a monster night on the boards despite a not so great knee. Funny, I’ve always heard excuses for Joe everytime he’s been “injured” or “playing despite being nicked up”, but nobody speaks up for Josh, who has been a stalwart in a critical area (rebounds) no matter how he’s shooting.
I also notice that the usual stuff was going on – he and Joe dominating on shots as if they are competing. I’m not convinced that they aren’t , especially after having heard Joe’s post game comments in the past about “some of us worrying too much about their shots”…..it never bodes well for us when those two are going at it for who gets the most shots, and it never bodes well for them, either. Both are forcing it now, and it showed tonight, though…as I said before…Josh isn’t at full health. But we all know that’s only an excuse for Joe, and besides…Joe is a hero because he forced overtime in game 3…which we lost. Heh….
How about the efficiency of Marvin? Amazing. There was a time when he was consistent in this fashion….
Hawks hang on. The return of Horford (and his double double ability) may hold a spark of hope while two “more talented” guys try to get it together.
Jump troll. Jump.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 8th, 2012
11:27 pm
Edgewood Adam
May 8th, 2012
11:18 pm
Karma if I’ve ever seen it on Pierce. Dude fakes like he’s hurt anytime a call does not go his way. Now it looks like he really is hurt. Could not have happened to a bigger basketball a-hole.
LinkReport this comment
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if we are leaving him open on 3s he will murder us. I do not want any Celtics out. If Pierce sits we will just bend over
Geno
May 8th, 2012
11:27 pm
@christopher M…. Your team smelled like Goat poop tonight…..
Harry Hawk
May 8th, 2012
11:28 pm
Here’s what makes me mad:
I hated the Celtics in 2008. Hated their guts.
This year? I want them to win.
Why? Our owners. They got rid of my hockey team and maxed out the payroll on a basketball team that isn’t good enough to win titles.
I hate being in this position, but folks like Gearon and Levenson put me here.
christopher mehegan
May 8th, 2012
11:28 pm
HEY,GINO @GINO COME THURSDAY NIGHT WHEN THE ATLANTA STEPPINGSTONE PLAYOFF FOOTNOTE CHOKERS GET PUMMELD BY THE CELTICS UR TEAM WON’T EVEN CUT THEMSELVES HALFWAY PAST UR MUDDERS BUNGHOLE CELTICS WIN GAME 6 AND THE SERIES ENJOY UR OFFSEASON U GONNA NEED IT MUHAHHHHHHHHH MORON
Sautee
May 8th, 2012
11:29 pm
LOL@ Big Ray
Slimjr
May 8th, 2012
11:30 pm
A novel idea indeed…..Guess ya missed your pt center leading the break several times eh?
Thats okay….Lots of great action tonight!
Lets hope he can lead again?
Slimjr
May 8th, 2012
11:30 pm
btw its indefensible..never been done before…
Sautee
May 8th, 2012
11:32 pm
“Guess ya missed your pt center leading the break several times eh?” -slimjr
No, I saw, but didn’t you say “all night” instead of “several times”? Yes, you did.
Slimjr
May 8th, 2012
11:39 pm
its okay…Hey you and the the two Bigs should start the All Pt. Center Fan club! Keep up the good work..
Larry has found a new weapon in the nick of time? Awesome….
Slimjr
May 8th, 2012
11:40 pm
Keep the one off the ledge when its over..It cant hold him….lol
Big Lou
May 8th, 2012
11:40 pm
“And the Bravos make it icing on the cake!” DawgNole
Great game by them, too. Delgado has had two good games in a row. I hope they take the series going into St. Louis. They are going to need it.
Big Lou
May 8th, 2012
11:46 pm
LD needs to get a dang clue and put Kirk on Ray Allen. I am tired of seeing Willie ‘no defense’ Green off the bench.
Ra'mon
May 8th, 2012
11:46 pm
On last week, I questioned Al’s toughness and ability to play with injuries or to come back from one. The last two days, he has clearly showed me that he possess a good bit in both. This was Al’s best playoff performance in his career. I also think, that tonight showed the vast difference of Al being under the goal to receive assists from Teague and Josh compared to Zaza/Collins/Dampier. You can even see on the assisted baskets by Josh, that he and Al do possess a chemistry where Josh is able to pass it to where Al is going, not to where he’s at. With the other bigs on the team, they appear to never truly be ready for a hot pass when cutting or under the basket when Josh is at the high post. Tonight, the Hawks proved what they’re capable of doing when they have FOUR (sometimes 5) capable players on the court (Joe, Josh, Al, Teague) compared to just Joe and Josh on most nights. And the shots Marvin hit were big, because never this season did the Celtics face the Hawks with FIVE players on the court who were scoring.
However, the obvious negative of the night is, once again Iso Joe in the last 4-5 minutes almost lost the game for the Hawks. When the Celtics went on the 7-0 run to tie the game, the Hawks offensive sequences were full of Iso Joe resulting in bad shots and low percentage shots at the end of the shot clock. Joe always say he has to be more decisive and quicker with the ball, yet he rarely adjusts to this for more than a game.
This is why, I feel the Hawks, if they do not move either of the three, have to find a way to sign Nash. With Kirk coming off of the books, if you are able to amnesty Marvin, you should have room to sign Nash before signing your minimum vets.
Big Play Ray
May 8th, 2012
11:46 pm
Al was the man tonight and the reason we won. The rest of the crew was the same group of bumbling idiots who had set themselves up to lose this series. Marvin hits a couple of wide open 3’s and all the sudden years of poor play are forgotten? No way- he left Pierce wide open for a late 3 that almost cost is the game. Marvin is and always will be a complete bust. Josh did some nice rebounding but his ball handling and shooting were suspect as usual. He should be thanking Al for tying up Rondo in the end to make up for Josh’s inbound guffaw. Nothing to say about Joe. His play was average again and his confidence is non-existant. His pregame comments came off like he was unsure how the Hawks would do. One thing is crystal clear, Joe is not going to be a leader of this team going forward- that role was EARNED by Al tonight.
drmaryb.(*_*).
May 8th, 2012
11:49 pm
Bottom Line!
Bottom line is the Hawks shared the ball all night long. The scoring column is reminiscent of what Boston put in on their championship runs. Basically, the big three scored about 15 points each on their title quest.
On any given night, you never knew who would be the highest scorer. It will always be a team effort and no heroes when a team is winning thangs.
Great team win tonight, game ball goes to the 5 starters and Marvin really stepped up tonight in a MUST win game.
Great job MY Hawks! I sure prayed for this win, I prayed hard. Thank You God!
Big Lou
May 8th, 2012
11:50 pm
“No way- he left Pierce wide open for a late 3 that almost cost is the game.”
I don’t know why the blame was put on Marvin. Josh cheated on help defense and left Paul Pierce wide open for no reason… probably being stupid like always. I mean… Josh made A LOT of stupid plays tonight. He almost cost the game on the last possession for Gods sakes.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 8th, 2012
11:50 pm
Cosign BL
Even put Marvin on Ray before u put Willie on him. Marvin was terrible coming off screens
drmaryb.(*_*).
May 8th, 2012
11:51 pm
Gasol has no calf muscle. Nam’ one.
tyger
May 8th, 2012
11:51 pm
Hawk Pride!!! whew!!!
Big Lou
May 8th, 2012
11:57 pm
You know, even by some miracle, the Hawks pull this out…
…they will most likely face the 76ers. Lol!
Marcus
May 8th, 2012
11:57 pm
Big Play Ray,
Copying..pasting what I said over on Jeff Schultz’s blog, I think i saw Marvin was left guarding two Celtics (Pierce and Pietrus) camped outside the 3-point line when I saw the replay on ESPN. Pietrus was in the corner, Pierce, behind the 3-point arc beyond the extended elbow. Somebody left Pierce to probably double-down on Rondo’s penetration and Marvin was in no-man’s land between the two, with probably primary defensive responsibility on Pietrus.
doc
May 9th, 2012
12:01 am
Huge win and gat to be a hawks fan at the Phillips tonight. There were a huge number of greenies there making noise but quiet in the end.
Al was so huge josh and jj fair tiring to give it away from time to time but they weathered the storm at the beginning and came back from a sure exit. Couldn’t believe how well rondo played at critical times but wasn’t able to take the game over completely. Kg didn’t get the free looks with josh ad al nearby.
Quite a game for our big guys and after all year of hearing how meaningless al was to this team in one fell swoop showed them wrong. Nice to see some vocal leadership there too. Also nice to see that erick still has some game and should have been out there a lot more than he has been. Sad.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 9th, 2012
12:02 am
Marcus, Smoove stayed in lane to help cover KG. i think it was Smoove’s fault
Mike D
May 9th, 2012
12:05 am
Great win for Hawks, Im still p’d off about Willie Green an KH get minutes before Tracy!
Marcus
May 9th, 2012
12:06 am
Remains to be seen what Game 6 adjustments both teams will make … wouldnl’t be surprised if Ray Allen gets the start at SG to see if he gets off to a hot start, then bring Avery Bradley in as backup. He most certainly has a speed advantage and scoring capability over any 2nd unit guard we bring in.
I see LD rode the starters with a shortened bench tonight. Wow .. just looking at the box score, I don’t even remember McGrady getting in the game. Still, seems like he did the opposite of Game 2 with all 2nd unit on the floor and no starters ….. and we STILL gave up a double-digit lead at the end of the 3Q *perplexed*
Big Lou
May 9th, 2012
12:07 am
Agreed, Grandmaster JeJe.
I’m glad somebody else saw that. Josh almost cost the game a few times tonight. It was easily the worst game in the series for him–mistakes wise. Didn’t you see the stupid reaction Josh made after Paul made the three? His usual stupid reaction with his hand on his head and his face scrunched up like he smelled manure.
christopher mehegan
May 9th, 2012
12:08 am
atlanta stepping stone playoff footnote chokers season ends thursday hahahahahah c’s in 6 and the series 4-2 go celtics hahahahaha
Big Lou
May 9th, 2012
12:10 am
“Great win for Hawks, Im still p’d off about Willie Green an KH get minutes before Tracy!”
Krik should get minutes over Tmac on Ray Allen, since he’s too old/slow to chase him pass those screens. I do agree that he should play more minutes against Bass.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 9th, 2012
12:11 am
Lou,
The last 2 or 3 mins of that 3rd qtr.
This idiot threw worst pass ever after basket which Rondo intercepted. How in the hell do you throw that pass? That’s what a HS JV does. SMH.
That inbound play at the end really pissed me off. No one was even close to open. This was AFTER we used a timeout
tom
May 9th, 2012
12:11 am
if they hawks limit their turn overs they have a shot a stealing game 6.