Atlanta Hawks: Clippers 89, Hawks 76
Vivlamore reporting from Los Angeles.
Lob City turned into Turnover City for the Hawks.
Atlanta committed a season-high 22 turnovers, 10 in the fourth quarter, en route to an 89-76 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers Sunday at a sold old Staples Center. Many of those turnovers led to uncontested layups as the Clippers went on a 26-5 run between the third and fourth quarters. Devin Harris hit a 3-pointer late in the third to put the Hawks up by one point, 60-59. Then 10:24 later, the Hawks trailed by 20 points, 85-65.
Hawks coach Larry Drew said his team lost its composure.
“I thought our guys followed our game plan for two and a half quarters,” Drew said. “Midway into that third quarter, it’s like we totally forgot what had put us in the position we were in. As I told them, on the road we have to be consistent, we have to be on the mark with all of our coverages.
“We knew coming into this building we knew one of the things we needed to do was take away momentum plays. We did that for the most part, but late in that third quarter we totally abandoned what was good for us for two and half quarters.”
The Hawks had just seven points and nine turnovers in the first 8:39 of the fourth quarter.
“Fourth quarter was a disaster,” Zaza Pachulia said. “It was full of mistakes. It’s sad that you are playing so well for three quarters and one quarter you throw it all away in the ocean. This should be a good example for our team.”
The Hawks (2-3) lost their second straight game and the first on a four-game West Coast road trip. Josh Smith led the Hawks with 13 points, but they came on 6-of-14 shooting. He missed all four free-throw attempts. For the season, Smith is 26-for- 66 (.394) from the field and 2-for-14 (.143) from the free-throw line.
Al Horford and Lou Williams each added 11 points for the Hawks.
“Those guy played the passing lanes,” Smith said. “They are a gambling team. Give credit to them, the plays they gambled on they succeeded. That kind of gave them momentum in that fourth quarter which hurt us.”
The Clippers (5-2), winners of three straight, placed six players in double-figure scoring. Blake Griffin had 16 points followed by Chris Paul (15), Caron Butler (13), Eric Bledsoe (12), Jamal Crawford (11) and Matt Barnes (10).
Free throws were hardly an issue for just Smith against the Clippers. The Hawks combined to shoot 7-for-16 from the line. In fact, the Hawks had two more 3-pointers than free throws. On the season, the Hawks are shooting 54-for-81 (.667).
“We couldn’t make a free throw,” Drew said. “You have to make free throws on the road. That’s the bottom line. .. You have to step up, concentrate and knock it down.”
For the first time this season the Hawks’ bench failed to outscore their opponent’s bench. The Clippers’ reserves held a 35-32 advantage.
The Hawks did manage to hold the Clippers under 100 points, snapping their streak of six games to start the season over the century mark.
The Clippers got physical with the Hawks late in the game and it had an impact, according to Drew.
“We got sped up with the pressure and then we let the officiating bother us a little bit,” Drew said. “As I told them, we can’t play any road game with the mindset that during that game there are going to be calls that they might not like. That cannot affect their play. Tonight, we let some calls get us a little out of character. You can’t play like that on the road. You have to be solid. You have to be focused. We lost focus at the end of the third quarter.”
The Hawks road trip continues against Portland Monday night.
Notes
* Rookies John Jenkins and Mike Scott made their season debut. They entered the game with 3:21 remaining after the Clippers took a 20-point lead. Jenkins made 2-of-4 shots to finish with four points. Scott missed both his shots.
* Guard DeShawn Stevenson did not play. The veteran was held out because the Hawks play again Monday and the plan is not to play him in back-to-back games.
* The Hawks started their big lineup of Jeff Teague, Kyle Kover, Smith, Horford and Pachulia. It was the first time the team duplicated a starting lineup this season.
* Center Johan Petro was inactive for the fifth straight game.
* The sellout was the 55th straight for the Clippers. The Staples Center also hosted a Lakers game later in the evening.
LATEST NEWS
* Hawks start four-game road trip against Clippers
* Ferry ‘fully engaged’ with Drew
*Drew declines comment on Brown firing
* Lessons to be learned in technical fouls
* Smith to play against Pacers
* Williams is Hawks’ go-to guy in fourth quarter
Follow me on Twitter at ajchawks
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
184 comments Add your comment
Rod from College Park
November 12th, 2012
4:11 pm
“Al`s No Hustle play was inexcusable.
* [I did not see Josh`s]
amidst all the others distributed equally between teammates [`ALL]”
Glad to know that you can be fair Grandad, unlike others here.
Grandad
November 12th, 2012
4:13 pm
While it`s relevant:
when BGriff stole that pass … Al should have chased him down
and snot-knocked him into the cheap seats.
*[pay back]
The Truth
November 12th, 2012
4:14 pm
I’m noticing how undisciplined Lou has been playing since being a Hawk vs. at Philly. Like Josh, LD will just let Lou launch repeatedly bad shots without any consequences something Doug Collins would never allow. Just because they have been labeled the “the star players” shouldn’t mean they are immune to being chastised by their coach.
If LD doesn’t address the players’ bad behaviors, there will be no improvements only more of the same; like poor FT%, TOs and other missed opportunities.
Grandad
November 12th, 2012
4:15 pm
Thanks Rod
Rod from College Park
November 12th, 2012
4:15 pm
“Try another one, would ya? If any coach could turn Al into their version of Karl Malone he would not be coaching in the NBA cause he could probably turn water into wine! LMAO!!!!!!!”
Karl Malone is a 25 and 10 guy for his career ,and never backed down from anyone. Al well ….. LOL
HawkEye
November 12th, 2012
4:16 pm
At this point, it is getting harder and harder to say that LD will make it through the rest of the season. I know Danny Ferry does not want to fire LD in the middle of the season, but if this trend of inconsistent (and in some cases consistent) coaching continues, he may be left with no other choice. However, the only ways I see LD being fired is if 1) the Hawks accumulate multiple losing streaks this season or 2) a huge flare up with him and the team or a player occurs that Danny discovers.
About this whole Josh and Al thing, they both have their flaws, but when they both play the right way they make this team a lot better.
One thing that bothers me about Al is his lack of aggression on a daily basis and that he does not demand the ball enough. I think they need to involve Al more in the beginning of games and establish him on the low block. He may not realize it (or if he does like it), but he actually plays better at center. His ability to knock down that jumper keeps his defender honest and can create offensive rebounding opportunities by drawing the center out on the perimeter.
Josh is going to take those jumpers and to his credit, he does not miss all the time. What bothers me about Josh is not only his free throw shooting (which I hope will get better) but also that he often times takes too many of those jumpshots (esp. when they are not falling). I don’t know who I fault more for this. Is LD purposefully putting Josh out on the perimeter or is Josh purposefully drifting out there. If anyone is to blame IMO it would have to be LD. If you are going to play Josh at SF, then run plays where his is posting up his (usually smaller) defender. Also, I think not having Joe here makes Josh think that he must carry the offensive load which might account for why he takes so many shots a game.
A couple of other thought:
*Do the Hawks have a DLeague affiliate team? If so, can we send Jenkins and Scott so they can develop?
*Morrow’s DNP-CD after he scored 17 points in the Miami game is another reason I think LD will not last this season. I’m sure his reasoning for this would be “match-ups”.
*Harris, Korver, and Tolliver are still getting too many minutes. Veteran preference is killing the Hawks.
*Teague needs to play more in the 4th quarter.
Rod from College Park
November 12th, 2012
4:22 pm
“I’m noticing how undisciplined Lou has been playing since being a Hawk vs. at Philly. Like Josh, LD will just let Lou launch repeatedly bad shots without any consequences something Doug Collins would never allow. Just because they have been labeled the “the star players” shouldn’t mean they are immune to being chastised by their coach.”
That’s the point I have been making even since backing up Jamal for the last couple of years. With th offense we run Jamal and Lou’s job is to come in a score at all cost. It does not matter to the coach if they are taking bad shots, they are to come off the bench, and get up as many shots as they can. You can’t blame the player, if the coach is directing him to shoot. Similar to Josh our sets always have Horford and Josh standing on the perimeter with no movement. LD tells Josh to shoot those jumpers if he is open, and we all know he will always be open. We start the games off going to Josh on the block, and after the second quarter, youu never see that play again. the team reverts back to what they know.
Slimjr
November 12th, 2012
4:27 pm
LaMarcus Aldridge:
OH THE HUMANITY!
Slimjr
November 12th, 2012
4:30 pm
This guy is an assistant trying to play Head Coach and just like Wade Phillips [NFL]it does not work for some..Go back and do what you do best: assist. Ummmmmmmmm
round peg / square hole
MsDee
November 12th, 2012
4:42 pm
Ok Mr. Slimjr,
The reason that Malone is “one of the Greatest Power Forwards to ever lace up his shoes with over 36,400 points scored in his career in the NBA”, and to Rod from CP, the reason that Malone has been “a 25 and 10 guy for his career” is because Karl Malone has had a COACH FROM THE BEGINNING OF HIS CAREER (unlike Horford who has had umm Woodson and umm what Drew right??)who KNEW how to make and put him into many situations to score the ball effectively WITHOUT allowing anyone else to create mishaps along the way, someone lets say, like a ummm a Josh Smith cause TRUST ME, if Josh was the age that he is today BACK THEN on Utah’s team, Josh’s BUTT WOULD BE BURIED ON THE BENCH FO SHO!! He would be getting the Morrow treatment right about now!
Poor Horford has had to have a very steady career thus far with coaches like Woodson and Drew to STILL become a 2TIME ALLSTAR!! Now image Horford STARTING his career with umm, lets say a Jerry Sloan from the beginning………………ummmmmmmmmmmm, WOW, lets just leave IT at THAT!!
The Truth
November 12th, 2012
4:42 pm
“With th offense we run Jamal and Lou’s job is to come in a score at all cost”
So true Rod, LD must have learned that trick from his former HC Woody because he deployed Flip Murray the same way.
cp
November 12th, 2012
4:43 pm
They should beat the Blazers but it all depends on what LD does with the minutes tonight. Guys who aren’t producing need to be sitting. Guys who are playing well need to play more minutes. Its as simple as that but for some reason this escapes LD.
The Teague vs Lillard matchup will be entertaining to see only if LD lets the dude play more than 26 minutes. Lillard was being compared to Teague when coming out of college. He has been a lot better than I thought he would be.
MsDee
November 12th, 2012
4:45 pm
HawkEye,
“Also, I think not having Joe here makes Josh think that he must carry the offensive load which might account for why he takes so many shots a game.”
What!! Josh has been doing that every since he has put on a Hawks jersey!! Has NOTHING to do with JJ being gone.
Rusty
November 12th, 2012
4:47 pm
Ferry can’t.really evaluate this team or players as long as LD has control.
Jay Dubu
November 12th, 2012
4:49 pm
Harris is playing as he always has. Don’t expect anything different the rest of the season. Just count on him not being here next season. That was the straw that stirred the Marvin trade for Harris. Marvin has another year on his contract after this year, and Harris only has this year.
Goood trade for money reasons. Now the GM has to find a player worthy of earning that 8+ mil next year.
MsDee
November 12th, 2012
4:50 pm
Rusty,
“Ferry can’t.really evaluate this team or players as long as LD has control.”
Well, if thats the case, Ferry should just fire Drew now so he can BEGIN to evaluate the team properly. Problem solved there!
Slimjr
November 12th, 2012
4:51 pm
Hey Rod check out the Highlites on NBA.com..
Rudy Gay: one on one against Lebron at the top of the key dribbles with his left crosses over behind his back as he drives, Labron reaches for air as he tries to steal the dribble, Rudy takes two steps and elevates in the paint with a GIGANTIC TOMAHAWK DUNK!!! The Miami bigs wanted no part of that poster! LOL!
This dude is 6′9″ with two guard ability at the three, but Billy Knight wanted no part of it..
Enamored with the Stiff, SHELL HEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!@#$%^&*()
Jay Dubu
November 12th, 2012
4:58 pm
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but, both Josh and Al are overpaid for what they bring to the table. But that seems to be par for the course in the NBA.
The two of them are making ~43% of the Hawks payroll, and neither sells any additional tickets.
When a player causes fannies to be in the seats, they can are worth as much as they can get. That is why when certain teams / players come are on the schedule for the Highlight Factory, the ticket prices are raised, and their jerseys are in the fan shop.
EmirS.
November 12th, 2012
5:10 pm
Mike Brown could not help Lebron win a ring in Cleveland. He (Mike brown) did reach the Finals once. Coach Brown was not able to navigate a Kobe/Gasol/Bynum team to the Finals last year and had a VERY poor start with a Kobe/Gasol/Howard/Nash team going only 1-4. With Nash being out two of those games. Interm GM, Bernie Bickerstaff, has the team 2-0 already. I’m sure we are all in agreement that Mike Brown is a MASSIVE upgrade over Larry Drew.
Now, question:
With all that in mind, as we are rebuilding is Mike Brown a possible fit to rebuild this Hawks team around as far as coaching wise?
Just Joe
November 12th, 2012
5:18 pm
Josh and Lou sick tonight. Not sure if either will play yet.
mp
November 12th, 2012
5:26 pm
You seen this discussion thread on Reddit?
http://www.reddit.com/r/AtlantaHawks/comments/12ybm5/taking_stock/
Couple of things there got my attention…
hot.trod.87
November 12th, 2012
5:26 pm
For the first time this season the Hawks’ bench failed to outscore their opponent’s bench. The Clippers’ reserves held a 35-32 advantage…. No Desean Stevenson or Morrow. Jenkins in too late. relied too much on Harris. Guard DeShawn Stevenson did not play. The veteran was held out because the Hawks play again Monday and the plan is not to play him in back-to-back games…..losing perimeter defenders in Joe & Marvin has put a lot of defensive pressure on our guys guarding in the paint, I’d like to give Mike Scott some burn because he can play some defense…That besides Stevenson….Teague still gets caught in screens Anthony morrow and Lou should play a lot in the 4th. Jenkins should get good pt in the 2nd/3rd since he’s a rookie….Rotate Al and Josh…never sit out BOTH Stevenson & Morrow…someone has to rotate Al &Josh in and out. Petro really needs to bring his butt back.
hot.trod.87
November 12th, 2012
5:27 pm
Hard losing when you outrebound the Clippers 41-38. Have 1 less assist than them. Lead in blocked shots 9-6 & free throws 16-8. League had 8 points & 6 assists..Zaza had 5 points 6 rebounds…Coach Drew put a DNP by Stevenson & Morrow…Smith, Lou, & Horford were the only ones in double figure. Not Zaza, Teague or Korver of the starters. DNP Morrow & Stevenson. rookies in too late??Devin Harris played 25 minutes for 5 points & 4 rebounds…. Jenkins played 4 minutes with 6 points & 2 rebounds.
Slimjr
November 12th, 2012
5:27 pm
Ans:
Woody>WoodyLite>WoodyLite Jr[ aka, MIKE Brown]
Coach Brown went [1-12] [ including the preseason] [kick rocks Coach]!
hot.trod.87
November 12th, 2012
5:28 pm
Ms. Dee doesn’t know what she’s talking about
mp
November 12th, 2012
5:29 pm
Also, CV, you’re doing a tremendous job here. Keep up the good work.
And to my fellow commenters… Take a breath, guys. You’re going to hurt yourselves jerking your knees this hard. Season’s still young, and it’s going to take a good month or two before the Hawks are comfortable with all their new guys and how they fit into the system. Just relax and enjoy.
Rod from College Park
November 12th, 2012
5:33 pm
“Ms. Dee doesn’t know what she’s talking about”
That’s already been proven. She is here for laughs.
Rod from College Park
November 12th, 2012
5:35 pm
Slimjr,
I would take Rudy Gay over Al and maybe Josh straight up right now. He’s got game.
Slimjr
November 12th, 2012
5:39 pm
Yes Sir. I concur one hundred percent.
hot.trod.87
November 12th, 2012
5:41 pm
I said Drew would lower the value of Lou and look at him using Lou for something other than what he is
sameba
November 12th, 2012
5:43 pm
”
While it`s relevant:
when BGriff stole that pass … Al should have chased him down
and snot-knocked him into the cheap seats.
*[pay back] ”
Grandad, I always greatly enjoy your posts, but did not expect that you were that great !!
Totally agree – Al should start to be the man, or he will not be very successful…
hot.trod.87
November 12th, 2012
5:56 pm
What if Al made those free throws against Boston in Game 6 last year when Boston was up by 2 with a little over 2 seconds to go???
hot.trod.87
November 12th, 2012
5:57 pm
Rod,
I wouldn’t take Rudy Gay because he’s playing with Zebo and Marc Gasol… I’d take Josh with Al & Dwight over that matchup any day
hot.trod.87
November 12th, 2012
5:58 pm
Put Rudy Gay in the Hawks system he’s be as confused as Josh and Al, because Larry Drew is the coach