Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 93, Grizzlies 83
Vivlamore reporting.
MEMPHIS – The Hawks gave a dose of the third-quarter medicine they’ve had to swallow of late.
The Hawks erased an eight-point first-half deficit with one of their most impressive quarters of the season en route to a 93-83 victory over the Grizzles Saturday night at FedExForum. They outscored the Grizzlies, owners of the NBA’s top record, 32-13 coming out of intermission which included a 20-0 run. Lou Williams scored the final 11 points of the stretch, including three straight 3-pointers.
In their previous three games the Hawks blew late leads, holding on for two wins.
“At home we’ve been having trouble holding leads and giving them back,” said center Al Horford, who led the Hawks with his fifth straight double-double effort. “Tonight our focus was great.”
The Hawks (12-5) now have victories over all three Western Conference division leaders in the Grizzlies, Thunder and Clippers. They’ve won three straight and nine of their past 10 games.
Horford had 19 points and 14 rebounds in the win. Josh Smith scored a game-high 24 points with eight rebounds. Williams finished with 21 points, with 13 coming in the pivotal third quarter. Jeff Teague added 13 points to round out the double-digit scorers.
“I felt like I shot the ball well in our past game in Atlanta but I had four turnovers and no assists,” Williams said. “I really didn’t impact the game. I didn’t want to have another night like that. I got off to a slow start. I think I was 1-for-6 at halftime and it was looking like I was going to have another night where I didn’t impact the game. I just went out with a blaze.”
The Grizzlies (14-4) lost for only the second time at home and suffered their worst defeat of the season.
The Hawks trailed 47-41 at halftime and were down by as many as eight points in the second quarter. After an early imploring by coach Larry Drew to turn up their energy, the Hawks went on a 30-7 run, which included the 20-0 stretch.
In the decisive third quarter, the Hawks:
*Shot 60 percent from the field (12 of 20) while the Grizzlies shot 31.6 percent (6 of 19).
*Held a 13-7 rebound advantage.
*Had nine assists against two for the Grizzlies.
*Forced four turnovers, including three steals.
Horford said the key to the third quarter was Teague.
“He came in at halftime and you could tell that he was bothered by the way the first half went,” Horford said. “So he made an effort to play better and pick up the pace of the game and I think that was the difference.”
Teague said he focus was the run against the bigger Grizzlies.
“I just know that they are a really big team and we had to use our speed, athleticism, get up and down and cause havoc on the defensive end,” Teague said. “I challenged (Horford) and Zaza (Pachulia) and they responded. Zaza came out with the most energy and was banging on the boards.
“When we come out and play like that, we are a really good team. It starts with me. When I play with a lot of energy I think I play well. If I come out lackadaisical or sluggish it goes through the whole team. I put a lot of that on my shoulders. I thank Al for boosting me up.”
Pachulia’s effort won’t fully show in the boxscore. He had just one point, but he pulled down nine rebounds, fought for loose balls and defended Zach Randolph.
The Hawks led by as many as 15 points in the third quarter. The Grizzlies made a fourth-quarter run. Rudy Gay scored nine of his 17 points in the final period. The Grizzlies used a 9-0 lead to pull within five points, 75-69, but they get no closer.
“We did a really fine job, I thought, once we got a little bit of a lead we maintained our composure even when they made a couple of runs,” Drew said. “That’s just a huge, huge win for us – getting back on the road, having played last night, against a team that has the best record in the league.”
Next up, the Hawks travel to Miami to take on the Heat. The Hawks could make another statement of where they stand. They are not concerned with that.
“We are just playing,” Teague said. “We like staying under the radar. We are going to just keep playing and try to knock off everybody.”
- Chris Vivlamore
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157 comments Add your comment
doc
December 9th, 2012
9:24 am
jss that is so right
high sider never part of the discussion . never said jc1 was a bad player just incomplete when here, lou not a bad replacement for that role who plays more to a team concept for less money, younger and better contract and maybe can get better at this point in his career. i did compliment jc1 for growing a bit as a player.
i liked jc1 as much as the next guy and cheered him on. i also watched him refuse to play defense or put energy into it. clips in their market have more money to spend and he got some of it so good for jc1. he took some risk to get it as well, the american way and won so good for him. he doesnt bring as much value to present hawks. again i say; by having to move some he finally got it that he needed to work on his game, so again, cudos to him.
you have calvin klein on him, obsession.
ag
December 9th, 2012
10:00 am
Okay, since I am done working for the rest of the year, I guess I have a lot of time on my hands. Why not go back and look at some old post.
Funny, how a 12-5 records make a lot on this blog get Romnesia!!! It was only a few of us who felt the Hawks would be a good team.
ag - FACT CHECKER
December 9th, 2012
10:06 am
Slimjr
November 2nd, 2012
10:33 am
My concern playing Josh at the 3 would be foul trouble.. He does not have the quickness advantage anymore, in fact he would be at a disadvantage.His on ball defense is not his strong suit..
- SlimJr… last night Josh was a beast. Rudy Gay, who averages 19 ppg, scored 17, but only made 7-25. Actually Josh at SF appears not to be as quick, but certainly makes them pay on the other end, as he finished with a season’s best 24.
FreshmakerGT
December 9th, 2012
10:06 am
Great win by the team last night – very impressive. Love the numbers a healthy Horford is putting up now that he’s getting the ball consistently. That’s why he’s an All Star. Very impressed by the defensive tenacity the team has shown thus far as well. If they can maintain that, the sky’s the limit. Miami will be another litmus test, and I expect us to win it. They’re struggling a bit now, and we always seem to play well in Miami.
We’re starting to get some more love nationally too. Here’s a good article by Grantland’s Zack Lowe on us. Love his work. http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/44408/an-eye-on-the-hawks
ag - FACT CHECKER
December 9th, 2012
10:09 am
swatguy
October 27th, 2012
9:11 pm
I think you guys are overreacting.
!) The team is not gonna be pinched with 15 players to start the season.
2) Damon is worthy of consideration and probably told to not go far (take 40K and chill for a month).
3) Someone will be moved in the first 45 days.
4) Toliver will surprise many.
Swatguy, you were certainly one of few of a voice of reason after the home opening loss. After predicting #1, your predictions got much worse, because most of us NEVER wanted Tolliver on the team, and preferred James.
Ray
December 9th, 2012
10:10 am
I might have to go back and say I said earlier this year somewhere around 40-48 wins max for the hawks.
I may bump that up to at least 52 from what I see so far the season is early, but damn these hawks got me confident in them.
I don’t know if I’d say #2, but Top 3 in the east with what’s happening to Boston, and the egg that’s being laid in Brooklyn.
Josh at SF is one the best things to do Rudy Gay 7-25 man someone that is picked to finally be an all-star. Also ZAZA I don’t care he is the BEAST!!!!!! ZAZA YOU THE BEST MAN!!!!
ag - FACT CHECKER
December 9th, 2012
10:10 am
Slimjr
November 2nd, 2012
10:22 pm
Has anybody authorized that bus for LARRY DREW YET?
SlimJr, you are making this too easy!!! I will admit, you were not alone on that FIRE LD bandwagon!
Ray
December 9th, 2012
10:12 am
Now I know people are eating crow after talking bad about Lou Williams and Kyle Korver those two and Morrow plus Stevenson have been BEASTS!!!
ag - FACT CHECKER
December 9th, 2012
10:13 am
Slimjr
November 2nd, 2012
10:48 pm
Grandad predicts 30 games for Larry.
I say less if they start out 2-9 or 1-8..Blah, Blah,Blah
Man, I can pick on this guy all day, but why bother. The other bloggers know SlimJr is full of crap!
Ray
December 9th, 2012
10:26 am
My only thing about Slimjr he thinks we can get away playing Jeff Teague for 40-45 mins a night which is insane no matter how old you are cause at some point injuries pop up, and why because playing for so long does that.
So if we keep playing him 40-45 mins every night BAM! could end up likke Derrick Rose or worse could lose most of his mojo if he tears ACL or something like that.
keith
December 9th, 2012
10:27 am
This was a huge win, a great win, a “you better recognize us win”. This Team is the true definition of “TEAM”. Outstanding win against a team who is statistically better than them on paper. Going forward, they will only get better.
ag - FACT CHECKER
December 9th, 2012
10:30 am
Ken Strickland
October 11th, 2012
10:08 pm
SLIM JR-You are exactly like a scratched record that repeats the same BS over and over again in a very annoying way. Surely you have enough intelligence to recognize or focus on something other than Al Horford. Are you really that sick? Only a very child like mentality can repeatedly get any sort of pleasure or satisfaction out of repeating the same theme over and over.
If your goal is to get on everyones nerves, and drawing as much attention to yourself as possible, then you’ve succeeded. Otherwise, you appear to be far to limited intellectually and basketball wise to engage anyone in intelligent discussions that involve anything other than bashing Al Horford. What’s really sad is you don’t seem to be intelligent or cognizant enough to realize you’ve long since become a broken record.
ditto
keith
December 9th, 2012
10:32 am
No Max Deal For Josh
Having said all that i have said before, I would not endorse giving Josh Smith a max contract unless he leads us to an NBA Championship this season. Otherwise, we need to shop Josh before the trading deadline and field all offers???
socialbandit
December 9th, 2012
10:34 am
Any thoughts on who we should bring in before the trade Dline. I really feel like D harris is an integral part of the team’s chemistry.
ag - FACT CHECKER
December 9th, 2012
10:44 am
vava74
October 17th, 2012
11:57 am
if LD goes into day one with a line up of Teague, Harris, Korver, … he will be fired within 2 weeks.
So… let’s hope that he does start that line up
Actually VaVa74, opening day against the Rockets, Harris and Korver started. So far this season, they are 2-1. I am sure we will see it a lot, and I doubt LD will get fired. Some on this blogs save he may be COY.
socialbandit
December 9th, 2012
10:44 am
Wishful thinking , but what about Tyreke Evans kings look like they want to move him could end up being a good piece.
prison mike
December 9th, 2012
10:45 am
“I felt like I shot the ball well in our past game in Atlanta but I had four turnovers and no assists,” Williams said. “I really didn’t impact the game.”
This quote actually made me proud. Yes he shot 80% that game but his TOs and zero assists probably accounted for lost points thus allowing the opponent to capture momentum. There are multiple ways to impact a game without a pretty stat line.
If the Hawks keep this up Jsmoove is primed for his first all star appearance. He and Al just have to keep attacking while making most of their free throws and they will rep us in the all star game.
ag - FACT CHECKER
December 9th, 2012
10:46 am
keith
November 3rd, 2012
10:48 am
I am with you guys, FIRE LARRY DREW movement has begun. LD is “Clearly” over his head when it comes to coaching. STEVIE WONDER can see that Drew should not be coaching, Horford should not be playing center, and Josh should NEVER take Jumpers!
Keith – you were wrong then, you are wrong now. Josh played SF against one of the top SF in the league and held his own. He also had a great outside and inside game. If he can consistently play as he did last night – MAX DEAL. Yes, he did take clutch shots in the 4th quarter.
ag - FACT CHECKER
December 9th, 2012
10:51 am
Ray
November 3rd, 2012
7:18 am
LOL at anyone judging this team after 1 game.
Hell LOL for anyone judging Boston and the Lakers even if their 0-3 or 0-2 this isn’t a 10 game season nor is 66 like last year it’s 82.
Honestly Early weak link for me right now is Tolliver he looked lost out there.
Jeff Teague and Devin Harris plus Lou Williams will work nicely. Josh and Al both probably need more time with the rest of the team to start building up that chemistry.
Right now I pick this team to be between 40-44 wins at a minimum and 46-48 at a max. I knew we would be taking a step back, but this pain is one I can endure because I know we have a brighter future.
Ray – truly a man of your word. You called it on Tolliver (well almost all of us did), you did not panic after the first game loss and actually saw potential in the team. The next time you play the lottery brother, let me know!
ag - FACT CHECKER
December 9th, 2012
10:53 am
keith
November 3rd, 2012
10:48 am
I am with you guys, FIRE LARRY DREW movement has begun. LD is “Clearly” over his head when it comes to coaching. STEVIE WONDER can see that Drew should not be coaching, Horford should not be playing center, and Josh should NEVER take Jumpers!
Wow Keith, are you and Slim Jr related? Well today you said we will only get better. If we lose to Miami, will you be back to fire LD?
keith
December 9th, 2012
11:07 am
ag – FACT CHECKER
December 9th, 2012
10:53 am
The season is still very young “ag” So, let’s wait a little while and see how this thing plays out. Let’s see how Coach Drew manages his playoff rotations. I do not think D. Ferry is going to accept a whole lot of “round 1″ exits from playoffs. The regular season is much more different than the playoffs.
sam'l
December 9th, 2012
11:10 am
A great win last night. Crawford is one of the most creative players ever…..wherever he plays….
Woody wasn’t a very good coach in Atlanta…go back and watch all the times when adjustments obviously had to be made and were not…..The game where Kidd bumped him on the court…….the collapses in crucial games, the incredible inconsistency of the team. he should have been fired and will always and forever more should have been fired.
But as for the Knicks and what he has done there….I’m totally impressed.
Same for the Hawks. I listened to the Memphis announcers after the game…..the Hollins interview…..They were impressed with the Hawks as well, like actually giving this club some respect and wondering how they could beat us in the future. Hollins said the Hawks beat the Grizzlies in every aspect of the game…
Ray
December 9th, 2012
11:14 am
ag – fact checker
I thank you for that, but I’ve said some things at times that were pretty bad. Like for awhile I’ve been on the LD being fired and what not, but I’m going to hold my tongue this time.
Let’s just wait and see around the playoffs, and really and truly I didn’t think this team early in season would be 12-5 and in the Top 5 teams in NBA early this season.
DawgNole
December 9th, 2012
11:18 am
Grandad
December 9th, 2012
2:47 am
The Hawks in past yrs – spent $;
the problems have been poor decisions
and in my opinion the Lack of a “Winning Culture”.
___________________
You’ve hit it on the head here, GDad. Can’t overemphasize the importance of “the lack of a winning culture”–not just within the Hawks, of course, but with all ATL pro teams. Hopefully all three of the teams currently in town are on the verge of shattering the sad legacy of Losersville.
Who Me?
December 9th, 2012
11:21 am
Two words: Danny Ferry.
DawgNole
December 9th, 2012
11:23 am
High-sider
December 9th, 2012
2:59 am
Message to the “Fire LD” and “Fire Woody” crowd. The Knicks and [the] Hawks are currently in first and third place in the Eastern Conference Standings, respectively, while the Lakers and [the] Blazers are currently in 11th and 12th place, respectively, in the Western Conference Standings which means both teams [Lakers and Blazers] wouldn’t make the playoffs if the regular season ended today [or tonight for that matter]. Where are the “Fire D’Antoni” and “Fire Stotts” posts/comments/chants?
Do I detect hypocrisy and [unequal] criticism(s) [of certain coaches] on this blog – most definitely.
____________________
I suspect you’d find plenty of “Fire D’Antoni” and “Fire Stotts” contributors on THEIR teams’ blogs.
Ray
December 9th, 2012
11:27 am
@ DawgNole
Expand that to Pro teams and major college teams at UGA/GA Tech
It’s been a problem here for decades now.
Ray
December 9th, 2012
11:31 am
@ Who Me?
I agree GM of the YEAR!
What he did which people said was extremely hard to do MAN! I’m just saying.
OH and Marvina Williams is at it again wow for anyone trying to keep him here quite glad he’s gone.
The Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets games will be interesting.
DawgNole
December 9th, 2012
11:35 am
ag
December 9th, 2012
10:00 am
Funny, how a 12-5 records make a lot on this blog get Romnesia!!! It was only a few of us who felt the Hawks would be a good team.
_____________________
True enough, but you can bet that with the team’s first losing streak, those “memories” will return in force to the blogs.
Slimjr
December 9th, 2012
11:41 am
Yea, the “wet one” certainly does have a lot of time on his hands.Must be nice….. lmao!
SWEET LOU!! Gets the game ball for that incredible 3rd quarter explosion that righted the ship!
98-69
keith
December 9th, 2012
11:42 am
Danny Ferry sent Larry Drew to Siberia to improve on his coaching philosophy. Does anyone in “Blog Land” remember coach Drews’ very interesting Summer Vacation??? So, having said that, even the GM realized that Larry NEEDED IMPROVEMENT!!!!!
DawgNole
December 9th, 2012
11:44 am
Ray
December 9th, 2012
11:27 am
@ DawgNole
Expand that to Pro teams and major college teams at UGA/GA Tech
It’s been a problem here for decades now.
______________________
I did include all pro teams in my original post. Only reason I didn’t mention UGA and Tech is because the HAVE won championships–albeit decades ago. Can’t say the same for ATL’s pro teams (except the ‘95 Braves), who’ve played a combined 156 seasons with only that Braves title to show for it.
This year obviously shows promise, with both Hawks and Falcons playing exceptionally well, but we’ve been disappointed so many times before–most recently with the Braves again. To paraphrase Grandad, we MUST develop a “culture of winning,” and that will require overcoming nearly a half-century of futility.
keith
December 9th, 2012
11:46 am
Larry Drew Observing, Meeting With Maccabi’s David Blatt
Sep 12, 2012 11:14 PM EDT
Atlanta Hawks’ head coach Larry Drew went to Israel recently to meet with and observe Maccabi Tel Aviv head coach David Blatt.
“Larry respects the international game and is enjoying the opportunity to share ideas with David Blatt,” Danny Ferry wrote in a text message. “David is a heckuva coach and I know that Larry appreciates that David has been so open. I know Larry is enjoying the opportunity to closely watch [Maccabi's] program. It is a highly respected program.”
Blatt also coach the Russian team to the Bronze medal in the 2012 Olympics.
ChipperisGod
December 9th, 2012
11:48 am
Great win last night, very impressed by the team. Have been playing well lately. Josh needs to keep taking it inside. He can make the occasional jumper, but when he penetrates or sets up in the post, he seems to be far more effective. This has been the case for years, he needs to keep going inside more.
Rod from College Park
December 9th, 2012
11:48 am
It’s still early guys. LOL. One good win or one bad loss, and opinions on the blog change dramatically.
Rod from College Park
December 9th, 2012
11:56 am
The key with the Hawks playing better this year is that they are actually playing 5 against 5 offensively as opposed to 5 against 4 with Marvin Williams on the floor. Everyone on the floor is a threat. I have said that for the past 5 years. The team is still flawed, but I have confidence that Danny Ferry knows that and will work to correct it.
keith
December 9th, 2012
12:01 pm
Rod from College Park
December 9th, 2012
11:48 am
It’s still early guys. LOL. One good win or one bad loss, and opinions on the blog change dramatically.
Yes, guys, it is still early, HOWEVER, the Atlanta Hawks are TRENDING in the right way!!! The old Hawk Teams rarely showed up against playoff teams on the road!!!
snoop dawgy dawg
December 9th, 2012
12:01 pm
Go Hawks to see the Hawks doing well is a pleasant suprise
DawgNole
December 9th, 2012
12:17 pm
Rod from College Park
December 9th, 2012
11:48 am
It’s still early guys. LOL. One good win or one bad loss, and opinions on the blog change dramatically.
____________________
How right you are. Just gotta enjoy it while it lasts–and hope it lasts all season (INCLUDING the playoffs for once).
i_am_soulstar
December 9th, 2012
12:47 pm
Still a lotta games to play but totally called us being a number 3 seed.
lewis
December 9th, 2012
12:52 pm
The Hawks perennial all-star leaves and the media coverage increases.
Rusty
December 9th, 2012
1:06 pm
The whole concept of one player playing iso basketball was flawed even if you had a Kolby or Lebron on your team it was still no good. The whole iso joe thing brought the team down. Woody & then Drew holding on to the concept doomed the team. Ferry recognized this & quickly dealt with it, Josh,Al & JT have great ability & heart, I think Ferry also was aware of this. I still don’t think that much of LD foe his substitution patterns,his favorite players bullcrap & his stubborn ways.i really think that Ferry has big input with LD ’s coaching but what makes this team good is there is there need to be a real good team.
doc
December 9th, 2012
1:08 pm
gdad that is what i suspected. maybe it was df but ld i saw as working to establish a different attitude even last year and df has his back for mow.
Ray
December 9th, 2012
1:22 pm
@ Rod
Maybe early, but I look at this team is trending in the right direction win or loss because we did two great things this offseason finally got a great GM, and unloaded two pieces that hindered us in the long run. One hindered us very badly and it wasn’t Joe Johnson as you might think.
He did hinder us, but only when it came to free agents signing on Marvin Williams hindered us badly because as we’re seeing in Utah he’s as bad as we thought he was originally.
Buddy Grizzard
December 9th, 2012
1:25 pm
High-Sider, thank you for the suggestion. I tell you what, you write the story and I’ll publish it. You can send me a draft at bgrizzard @ gmail dot com. Meanwhile, latest thoughts:
http://repatl.blogspot.com/2012/12/hawks-found-small-forward-his-name-is.html
ag
December 9th, 2012
1:31 pm
If we lose Monday, I am sure we will be back to normal. I know a lot of us made predictions, just have to find those blogs. It does look like Josh can play SF. Again, if he can maintain the level of play that he has over the last five games – yes he and Al are deserving of All- Star appearances. If the game were played today:
ag
December 9th, 2012
1:51 pm
Great article Buddy
lacsho
December 9th, 2012
1:57 pm
Great game last night. I would have to give the game ball to the fans that traveled to the game. That 200 section where they sit, is off the chain.
High-sider
December 9th, 2012
2:30 pm
Buddy Grizzard,
I’ll see what I can do about that draft.
Sameba
December 9th, 2012
2:34 pm
lacsho
Great game last night. I would have to give the game ball to the fans that traveled to the game. That 200 section where they sit, is off the chain.
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