Hawks 81, Magic 72
By Michael Cunningham
There was a real sense of relief among the Hawks when they got off the road and away from the virus that swept through the team on the four-game trip.
After seven days away, most of them spent trying to fend off the bug, the Hawks figured they’d find a safe haven at Philips Arena tonight. The Hawks were healthier but the effects of that West Coast voyage still lingered.
The Hawks eventually shook off a sluggish start and overcame a lackluster finish to pull out an 81-72 victory against the Magic.
“That was a really tough game for us to play,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said. “I could tell guys were still weary from the West Coast. We didn’t have our legs early. I could see guys gasping for air in the first four minutes. This game was going to have to fight from beginning to end. This Orlando team plays hard and when they are down they just keep coming. I’m very happy that we gutted it out.”
The Magic (3-7) had lost four of five road games but the Hawks (5-4) didn’t expect an easy game. Orlando has adopted a scrappy, spirited style in the wake of All-Star center Dwight Howard’s departure to the Lakers over the summer.
The Magic engaged Atlanta in their kind of game to stay close in the first half. The Hawks came out of halftime playing at a faster pace with crisper passing.
They opened the third period with an 18-8 run, led 65-49 at the end of the quarter and were up by as many as 24 points in the fourth period.
“We definitely picked up the energy,” Hawks center Zaza Pachulia said. “We were able to get stops and run. Josh [Smith] got involved, Al [Horford] got involved and we got fast-break points.”
But after building the big lead the Hawks couldn’t sustain the effort.
Atlanta’s starters were set to watch the final quarter from the bench until Orlando cut the lead to 78-66. That prompted Drew to send Teague, Horford and Kyle Korver back in to finish off the victory.
Horford had 15 points and nine rebounds, reserve guard Lou Williams had 14 points and Teague added nine points and seven assists. Atlanta shot 38 percent from the field but held Orlando to the same mark while collecting 12 steals and scoring 24 points off 19 turnovers.
In the the third quarter the Hawks made 11 of 21 shots, held Orlando to 27 percent shooting and recorded four steals. Harris had three steals and Teague had three assists during the quarter.
“I thought Jeff and Devin did a really good job picking up the tempo,” Drew said. “I told both of those guys at the start of the third quarter, ‘You guys have got to set the tempo for the rest of the game and get out and run and make the rest of these guys run with you.’”
The Hawks started sluggishly with three turnovers in their first five possessions, setting the tone for the half. Atlanta trailed 23-21 after shooting just 38 percent in the first quarter with four misses close to the basket. The Hawks shot even worse in the second quarter (33 percent) but held Orlando to 14 points in the period to lead 41-37 at halftime.
“It’s always like that after a trip,” Pachulia said. “It’s normal, I think, to be tired. But we did a good job of turning things around. We needed this win. No more excuses.”
The Hawks are not scheduled to practice tomorrow, allowing them extra time to catch up on rest before facing the Wizards on Wednesday at Philips Arena.
“We have the rest of this week to kind of settle back in,” Williams said.
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88 comments Add your comment
O'Brien
November 20th, 2012
12:02 pm
Good win for the Hawks, coming off a long road trip.
And I’m glad LD has cut Tolliver’s minutes. He is shooting 28% from the field, 18% from the 3. 3 pts, 2 rebs in 13.4 mpg. Would James be any worse? I think if nothing else, he would rebound more.
Doc,
SF’s backup looked good last night, but its still only one game. I need at least a 3 game sample. But if I’m a Bears fan, I’m upset that they cant find O-line men to protect my QB. Cutler has consistently been one of the most sacked QB since he went to Chicago (even if he does hold the ball a little too long). .
Ken Strickland
November 20th, 2012
12:04 pm
Let’s face it fans, Josh has lost his confidence. His FT shooting has gotten so bad that he’s afraid of getting fouled, so he resorts to shooting more jumpers. His lack of aggressiveness has also started to affect his DEF and rebounding. It’s revealing how a certain ANAL MINDED MORON continues to blame Horford for everything wrong while not once mentioning Josh’s major struggles.
Once again, STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES. I paid close attention to LWilliams as he was running the point, and his PG skills are definitely below average at best. It took LDrew 9gms to realize IJohnson is a far more productive player overall than ATolliver. How many more gms will it take for him to realize DHarris and JTeague are far better at playing the point than LWilliams?
I’ve noticed how he pounds the ball and settles for jumpshots too much, and seldom takes it to the hole when at the point. He’s much more aggressive and effective when playing the 2. Drew should have Teague and Harris at the 1, Morrow and Williams at the 2, and Korver at the 3.
If Josh doesn’t start playing with some sort of consistency on both ends of the court, and stop settling for so doggone many jumpers, he needs to be sent to the bench and replaced by IJohnson. Both he and his delusional Josh loving fans need to come to the realization that he’s not capable of carrying a team as a #1 option. He’s just not skilled or mature enough for that responsibility.
In fact, he seems to be crumbling under the pressure of trying to carry that load.
Sam
November 20th, 2012
12:08 pm
Only Atlanta Hawks fans are dumb enough to want Damian James on their team. Signing James (and people of his skill level) is exactly why the Hawks are stuck in mediocrity every single year. If he was so good, other teams would want to sign him…yet THAT ISN’T HAPPENING!
Sam
November 20th, 2012
12:14 pm
The Hawks need a real small forward, not Josh Smith masquerading around as one. Wonder if the Spurs would be interested in Smith? Ferry could call up his old team about Kawhi Leonard and Gary Neal. Someone like Boris Diaw could be tossed in to make the salaries work. The Spurs have enough room under the cap to offer him a good contract at the end of the year.
Sam
November 20th, 2012
12:16 pm
*to offer Josh Smith a good contract at the end of the year.
Tiago Splitter is also interesting, but I doubt they would trade him.
drmaryb.(""_*).
November 20th, 2012
1:10 pm
Is it getting HOT in here, or is it just Big Ray’s breath?
MsDee
November 20th, 2012
1:11 pm
KenS,
Im SO not jumping on the Josh Smith fan club, but dont cha think we should replace Drew? Maybe JUST maybe Josh NEEDS an experienced captain to lead this Hawks ship and to guide Josh in the way he should go? Yes, Josh confidence is slowing disappearing and I blame Drew FOR IT ALL!! U cant coach someone like Josh and allow him time after time after time to just basically do WHATEVER he wants to do without some consequences. Cause he will eventually create the Josh we have today, someone who has lost his mojo!! Ferry PLEASE release Drew of his duties and replace his RIGHT, QUICK, AND IN A HURRY!!
NUNNA!!
November 20th, 2012
1:12 pm
These hawks have been competitive all year long..There has only been one game that we played that we were not in it or had gotten blown out all year!!
Im proud of how we’re playiing. We would have been blown out in at least 3-4 of the 9 games that we played this year, if we had the same lineup that we had last year..
LD needs to go..We are better and winning in spite of LD..
cdog
November 20th, 2012
1:16 pm
I DON”T UNDERSTAND THE HAWKS FANS.WHEN THE HAWKS PLAY A HOME GAME, THE CROWD ARE NO FACTOR. PHILLPIS SHOULD BE LOUD AND ROCKING NO MATTER WHO THE HAWKS PLAY.FANS NEED TO CREAT AN ELECTRIC ATMOSPHERE FOR THE HAWKS AND THEY WILL FIND THAT THE HAWKS PLAYERS WILL RISE TO ANOTHER PLAYING LEVEL JUST LIKE THE MIAMI, BOSTON AND NEW YORK CROWD DOES.
cdog
November 20th, 2012
1:19 pm
THATS WHY THE HAWKS PLAY SLUGGEST AT HOME.THEY LOOK MORE LIKE A WINNING TEAM WHEN THEY PLAY ON THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THE DEAD FAN SUPPORT THEY DON”T GET PLAYING AT HOME
Astro Joe
November 20th, 2012
1:26 pm
Just Joe, I agree completely, right down to your comment about Korver. I tried to watch Korver on defense during the Magic game. He isn’t going to lock down anyone but he is mostly where he is supposed to be, is close enough to challeneg shots and does little things like slightly bumps a player who appears to be slashing through the lane just enough to disrupt the timing of the play. i think we could do far worse than finsih the year with him as the SF (even when he isn’t making 50% of his 3s).
GoHawks
November 20th, 2012
1:32 pm
Hawks are a very respectable team this yr.. I have a feeling they are going to gel soon and be a real threat this yr.
doc
November 20th, 2012
1:49 pm
o.’b no doubt on what you say but he was impressive. it was also a shock to hear the coach not down play it into, he had a lot of help, we kept it simple so he had to only execute etc., not, we have two qb’s now with a hot hand.
in green bay they know what they had when they finally got favre out of there. they speak of how the back up, shredded the packer first team defense during practice time. it may be the same scenario.
Melvin
November 20th, 2012
2:10 pm
Astro,
Just for you. An unbaise opinion….lol
“The Nets have some ground to cover, but the way that Andray Blatche has responded to Avery Johnson and the impact he has made on the team is undeniable. Joe Johnson needs to give more than he is, but some of that is the fact that there are so many mouths to feed offensively. Brook Lopez and Kris Humphries combine for a formidable rebounding presence and Blatche has become that in-the-paint scorer the Nets desperately needed.”
Melvin
November 20th, 2012
2:16 pm
Uh, I meant. Unbias opinion from Hoopsworld…
tjhook
November 20th, 2012
2:17 pm
@Sam,
I think you miss the possibilities a marginal player like Damien James offers. You get a player who can move the ball on offense, make plays in the halfcourt without the ball on offense, and play strong perimeter defense. I think his strength allows players like Josh and Al to be more aggressive on offense because they have a guy (James) who doesn’t constantly need help on defense (Korver) or can get the team second chances with offensive rebounds. By the way, I think he is not marginal – only unproven. He could become more of an offensive threat because he would be around the goal for junk baskets.
tjhook
November 20th, 2012
2:26 pm
Your trade suggestion about Josh to the Spurs is interesting because they are looking to send Duncan and Ginobelli out with a title. Popovich likes Leonard but Smith really helps a squad trying to get to the championship this year. They also have Stephen Jackson as a SF. Trying to see what combo would go well with Leonard and Teague. But I would also ask for the Red Rocket (Matt Bonner).
Melvin
November 20th, 2012
2:28 pm
tjhook,
I think you hit the nail on the head with Damion. Already good at defense and rebounding. I think he’s a little unproven as a offensive player. Not sure what his strong suit on offense but he would have at least been a slasher and hustler on that end. Which are too attributes I think this team could use.
Astro Joe
November 20th, 2012
2:37 pm
Melvin, too bad the Hawks don’t have Avery Johnson.
Positive Thinker
November 20th, 2012
2:40 pm
Why is it that fans on this blog always want the players we don’t have?
Melvin
November 20th, 2012
2:40 pm
Astro,
Are you saying that your boy LD couldn’t have instill discipline in him by playing him inconsistent mins….
Astro Joe
November 20th, 2012
2:52 pm
Melvin, my boy? Just because I was okay with him sitting a player in one game, he is my boy? Now that’s funny. I wonder if I go back to LD’s first 3-6 months, if you were flapping all kind of good vibes about LD?
Sam
November 20th, 2012
3:04 pm
@ tjhook
My original question still stands – If he can do all that stuff, why hasn’t someone else signed him?
Sam
November 20th, 2012
3:08 pm
All anyone wants to do is talk about why we shouldn’t have cut him/why we should resign him. I have yet to hear from a single person why he hasn’t gotten picked up by another team.
Slimjr
November 20th, 2012
3:11 pm
Josh needs a shooting coach to work with him all season and in the off season..Playing at the small forward is really exposing his broke jumper big time..
Ken S. is on point that Josh is losing confidence and that’s what happens when you are continually misfiring around the perimeter.. Now the misses are affecting his free throw shooting too? Oh boy..
This is more than Larry can manage unfortunately…Why not delegate? Hmmmmm
9-1? The falls come harder…
Melvin
November 20th, 2012
3:12 pm
Astro,
LD never gotten my endorsement for nothing…
doc
November 20th, 2012
3:55 pm
9-1 leaves faux fans desperate to find fault so they make up concerns.
enjoy the novelty as we have never acheived this before. 12-4? would still beat my expectations which havent changed. if they keep grinding they may exceed mine even more.
bfred
November 20th, 2012
3:59 pm
An organization like the Spurs wants no part of an undisciplined, unpredictable player like Josh. How long do you think Duncan would put up with his antics?
Sautee
November 20th, 2012
4:03 pm
doc,
Yeah, 12-4 is what I see and that’s more than I thought before the season. But I STILL think they are at best the 3rd or 4th best team in the NFC.They DO have a favorable schedule this year.
Niners, Packers, Bears (with Cutler), and maybe the Giants look as good or better to me today. And that’s not counting the Saints, OR the Bucs.
Still, I’ll enjoy every game, win or lose.
The playoffs will tell us a lot. So will this week at Tampa.
MsDee
November 20th, 2012
4:16 pm
Marc Stein: With Kawhi Leonard & Stephen Jackson ailing, Spurs in process of calling up Spurs alumnus James Anderson from D-League’s Rio Grande Vipers. Twitter @ESPNSteinLine
After reading this tweet, u would THINK Sam had a point about Damion James
doc
November 20th, 2012
4:16 pm
would love it if we take down the saints finally and do pay back to the giants.
the bears ate humble pie last night. better believe oc’s for the remaining teams they play against will go over that one in detail.
Melvin
November 20th, 2012
4:25 pm
MsDee,
Not necessary. Keep in mind that Spurs James Anderson was a (2009, i think) 1st round draft pick of the Spurs
Sam
November 20th, 2012
4:27 pm
bfred,
Duncan is able to put up with Stephen Jackson. Smith and Jackson are both headcases. He also is able to co-exist with Tony Parker – who got in trouble for fighting in NYC and has allegedly had problems with another player’s wife.
Duncan just wants to win.
MsDee
November 20th, 2012
4:50 pm
Melvin,
True but it’s CLEARLY that Damion James out played James Anderson BIG TIME!!
Melvin
November 20th, 2012
5:03 pm
MsDee,
When both were member of the Hawks, I agree but I think the Spurs are considering Anderson b/c he’s familiar with the organization.
hawksordie
November 21st, 2012
12:55 am
yall crazy …this is basically a new team they have to GEL AND BECOME USED TO ONE ANOTHER ANDDDD WE WILL WIN PLENTY OF GAMES ..WE ARE A STEP.ABOVE LAST YEARS HAWKS SO THE HATERS NEED TO CHILL …..
Ken Strickland
November 21st, 2012
9:36 am
SLIMJR-It looks like Knicks HC MWoodson has the veteran ladened team he’s always wanted, especially at PG, and an ISO capable player in CAnthony. It’s been his history to have very good regular season results, only to have his team fizzle out come playoff time.
His ISO dominant OFF approach hasn’t worked very well in the playoffs, and he’s never been one to have a backup plan, other than blaming the players for whatever fails.
Ken Strickland
November 21st, 2012
10:20 am
MSDEE-LDrew isn’t a bad HC, he’s just not championship caliber. He’s definitely not the right HC for the Hawks at this point, considering we have so many younger players. He’s consistently hurt the team with his OFF over DEF and experienced over less experienced no matter what approach.
These are some of the same issues that gave Woodson so many problems and caused both he and his teams to underachieve. After 9yrs of dealing with the same issues and bad habits, at this point it’s up to Josh, not any HC, to turn things around. However, there are some things Drew can do to expedite the process.
He can bench Josh whenever he losses control or refuses to do what’s need or what’s best for the team, rather than what’s easiest for him. He can give him a big slice of humble pie by starting Ivan in his place, rather than continuing to play underachieving one dimensional role players like ATolliver and DStevenson.
And I’m sick and tired of the lame excuses he and some of our fans have offered for not playing AMorrow or JJenkins more. After ignoring all else while insisting on relying on 2 total DEF liabilities in JCrawford and MBibby, pretending to use DEF, in the case of Morrow and Jenkins, is a sorry excuse for not playing these 2 young players.
When it’s a player, or players, he likes, especially veteran players, he’ll totally ignore DEF or rebounding if they possess an OFF trait that he likes. But when it comes to rookies or less experienced and often more talented players, he uses DEF as his excuse for not playing them.
When it came down to the SF position, Drew had Tolliver, Stevenson, Korver and DJames to choose from. And as most of us already know, by cutting James he basically left this team without a viable SF by choosing OFF, particularly 3pt shooting, over DEF, rebounding, and long term potential. I do want drew out of here at the end of the season, if not sooner.
KKorver has proven throughout his career that he can be very effective at what he does best coming off the bench, and doesn’t have to start. DJames out rebounded, out played, our defended, and I believed he out scored every other SF candidate during exhibition season. Plus, he gave us a combination of size, strength, height, rebounding and DEF ability we don’t currently have at SF.