Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 86, Magic 80 (updated)
Vivlamore reporting.
It was supposed to be easy. The Hawks made it look that way – at least for 45 minutes.
The Hawks used fast starts in the first and third quarters but had to hold on to defeat the Magic 86-80 Wednesday night at the Amway Center.
The Hawks (13-6) defeated the Magic for the eighth consecutive game, including both meetings this season. It was also the Hawks’ 10th win in 12 games, concluding a 2-1 road trip.
The Hawks built a 19-point third-quarter lead but had to withstand a Magic rally in the final three minutes of the game. Keeping big leads has been an issue for the Hawks this season and the problem reared its ugly head again.
“For our team, we are going to have to learn to develop a killer instinct when we get a team down,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said. “Right now, we don’t have it. We bobble too many balls. We miss too many fast-break opportunities. We have too many defensive breakdowns when we get leads. We allow teams to get back into games. It’s something that we are going to have to develop.”
The duo of Al Horford and Josh Smith led the Hawks again. Smith had 16 points and 11 rebounds and Horford added 13 points and 13 rebounds, his seventh consecutive double-double. The Hawks also got double-digit scoring from Jeff Teague (16), Lou Williams (11) and Devin Harris (10).
“You can really see them starting to gel,” Drew said. “They’ve played together over the years but what I’m seeing from them is something that is special. They both are really learning to play off each other. When you have a guy with the versatility as Josh and Al is a guy who has similar versatility. They seem to read each other well and it’s getting better every game we play.”
The Magic (8-13) lost their fourth straight home game, something they haven’t done since Dec. 2007. Aaron Afflalo led the Magic with 16 points, including three 3-pointers.
The Hawks built a 19-point lead in the third quarter, 57-38, by going on an 11-2 run and cruised from until the Magic put together their late run. Drew said he never felt comfortable, even with the large lead.
“We were just a little out of rhythm,” Horford said. “You have to give them credit. They never went away. That’s the type of team they have over there. I’m just happy that we were able to hold the lead.”
The Hawks got off to a fast start scoring the first 10 points of the game. The Magic missed their first six shots and had a turnover before finally scoring with 7:19 remaining in the first quarter. The Hawks led by as many as 14 points, 16-2, as they made 8 of their first 11 shots.
The Magic stormed back with a 13-2 run in the opening period. They took a brief lead in the second quarter when a J.J. Redick jumper made it 27-26 with 6:35 remaining in the second quarter. It was the Magic’s only lead of the game. The Hawks scored the next six points and closed with a 20-7 run and took a 46-34 lead into intermission. The Hawks shot 47.5 percent (19 for 40) compared to just 34.1 percent (14 of 41) for the Magic. Smith led the Hawks with 10 first-half points.
“(We were) able to get off to good start,” Smith said. “We didn’t want this crowd to get into the game and we didn’t want to give them confidence early. We came out and were able to push the extremely well, look for open people. We started off the right way but we have to make a conscious effort of not letting teams back in the basketball game when we have large leads.”
The Hawks also got nine points from Kyle Korver, who played 23 minutes after missing five games with back spasms. Zaza Pachulia had seven points and nine rebounds. Ivan Johnson did not play for the second straight game. When asked about Johnson’s status, Drew said the forward “will certainly be rested” when it comes time to play the Bobcats.
The Hawks play their third game in four days when they host the Bobcats Thursday.
- Chris Vivlamore
LATEST NEWS
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* Video: Hawks look to sustain winning ways
* First place on the line vs. Heat
* Josh Smith named Player of the Week
* 3-pointers may be key to defeating Heat
* Harris not settling for jumpers
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148 comments Add your comment
terrell
December 13th, 2012
8:19 am
And Keith, whats up with all the hate for Teague? Teague has clearly had a better year than Harris so far. Teague has had maybe two or three(out of 19) not so good games, while Harris has had maybe two or three decent games ALL YEAR. I just dont get it????? But whatever. Go Hawks!
sam'l
December 13th, 2012
8:24 am
anybody else noticing these little news teases which pop up on the blog……I think they suck, but maybe they make sense to people who still live in Atlanta or Griffin or Union City.
The Hawks won the Orlando game. They did what they were supposed to do.
I think that down the stretch in the Miami game the Hawks got very tentative. A few speedy layups by Teague might have changed things or maybe some 3s if they started giving Jeff room. Maybe Miami was too smart for us. I dunno. Hawks are surprisingly good this year. Hope they win tonight.
DS
December 13th, 2012
8:37 am
Great win by the Hawks! Can’t wait for Saturday’s game, the Highlight Factory should be completely packed…or I hope…anyway, what’s up with all the negativity towards the team after a W?? Even if we couldn’t blow them out, we still got the W!! Makes you wonder if this blog is just filled with trolls now…
O'brien
December 13th, 2012
8:41 am
Najeh,
Warriors and Wizards have victories over the Heat, but we are 0-2 against them this season. Why can’t we beat Miami?
Rod,
Co-sign. I think mike smith is a good regular season coach, but not a good playoff coach.
TBird
December 13th, 2012
8:42 am
Where are all the genius bb minds that talked about Al Horford being soft….not a “real” center…poor rebounder??? The guy is healthy and an all star….again…while Roy Hibbert one of the many “true centers” average 8 rebounds a game!!!
ag
December 13th, 2012
8:45 am
Great win, but as the December schedule continues, there is a lot about our team we will learn. So far this season, if the playoffs started today, we would be a 3 seed. But..
We are 0-2 against playoff teams in the East! Basically, we have played and lost twice to Miami. We are 7-1 against non-playoff teams in the East.
In the West, we are 3-2 against playoff teams. Saturday we get to face Golden State who we lost to earlier this year. We are 3-1 against non-playoff teams in the West.
ag - FACT CHECKER
December 13th, 2012
8:49 am
Tremaine
November 2nd, 2012
10:13 pm
Put me on record, #2 is going to have a nice season for Utah.
If you call in 19 minutes 2 points 2 rebounds 2 blocks and 3 turnovers on 1-5 shooting… I guess you love our new Marvin Anthony Tolliver. For the season, Marvin is averaging 9.9 ppg and it looks like he is falling out of favor.
The best thing about the Harris for Williams deal is Harris deal expires – we will have $8 million to spread around. That will certainly pay for raises for Josh and Teague – also possibly bringing Harris back on a lower contract!
Just Joe
December 13th, 2012
8:59 am
Horford gets a ton of minutes, which is helping his double-double streak. He’s averaging 37+ minutes a night. Of the top 20 rebounders in the league, only Noah and Lebron avg more minutes.
Pretty solid rebounder, but not elite. 27th in the league in rebounds per 48 minutes. ZaZa is 22nd. Josh is 67th. Ivan (not enough minutes to qualify) would be top 60. Would love to add a young shotblocker to those 4 guys (even though LD would never play him).
ag
December 13th, 2012
9:01 am
C Viv DOES READ OUR BLOGS AND ASK QUESTIONS…. Basically LD was being a A$$ to CViv “He will be well rested for Charlotte” There was nothing more CViv could say. Remember it is a DNP – Coaches Decision. If the Hawks would have lost, then I could see the logic with more questions.
The Hawks pretty much beat Orlando in every phase of the game. If the Hawks would get the killer instinct, maybe we would see more of Jenkins, Scott and Johnson. (Although Johnson does not deserve those type of minutes).
If you guys have noticed, there is one starter on the floor at all times, and for the most part, Josh or Al are on the floor. It has been a while since both are on the bench at the same time. The same rotation is for the guards, you either have Lou or JT0. The days of Harris, Korver, Morrow, Ivan, and ZaZa are over.
Slimjr
December 13th, 2012
9:01 am
Miami attacks Al and Zaza [escort service] with joy! The sea parts ways time and again..Miami’s front line has superior foot speed that allows them to dismantle the Hawks interior defense..
Just a tune up for Miami…
Oh and the guard play is subpar on both ends of the court.
ag
December 13th, 2012
9:06 am
Mike, Stephen A can ask Kobe tougher questions because he is a national reporter. C. Viv is our beat reporter and has to have a great rapport with LD. If he loses that, LD and the team will avoid him like the plague.
KevinM
December 13th, 2012
9:12 am
Slim, you’re still on your game with your LD comments!
Good stats ag! That is what matters with this team.
We haven’t proven much yet, other than we can develop a balanced scoring attack. Did we really look like we could threaten Miami?
I say we struggle with the Bulls, Celtics and Knicks. Those are the measuring sticks for this team.
Our streak against the Magic is impressive though. LD may have a lot of us questioning his moves, but he is building a justification to keeping him because we are distributing the ball around like the Spurs.
Mark Jackson coming to town Saturday with a confident team after that Heat win. This one ought to be fun to watch. Does Jackson get inspired by us not hiring him for more motivation?
drmaryb.(""_*).
December 13th, 2012
9:20 am
Oh Why?
Can anyone on here explain just why The Lakers are so horrible with all their individual talents? This is so baffling to me.
Hey Coach! Play Ivan – fool!
Let’s Go Hawks!
doc
December 13th, 2012
9:23 am
stephen a works for espy, cviv works for ajc, has to live with these guys and look them in the eye every day.
nice job cviv. we can read between the lines as well.
meanwhile, we have the sixth best record in the nba and have wins against 3 of the teams with better records than us. not too shabby for a team thrown together in two weeks early summer. it is way beyond most expectations. oh yeah we are winning most games we should and folks complain about it. see suns vs grid or heat vs warriors, cavs. tough to even win all the supposed to’s in the nba.
then there are those still saying just wait, it wont last long like a nostradamus or basketball expert. of course it won’t! doesnt take a lot of smarts to say that, only a big ego to be stroked. it is still remarkable and worth enjoying or giving cred when cred is due.
good job to our dynamic duo, josh and al! get em some real nba help danny boy.
doc
December 13th, 2012
9:33 am
dynamic duo, you like the sound of that slimj? heh heh
O'brien
December 13th, 2012
9:49 am
Ms Dee,
one of Lakers biggest problems are FT.
They lost to Dallas by 8, but lakers missed 19 FT.
Lost to Spurs by 2, but missed 8 FT
Lost to pacers by 2, missed 20 FT
Lost to Houston by 2, missed 12 FT
lost to Cleveland by 6, missed 15 FT
Lost to Utah by 9, missed 14 FT
If they made more FT (Dwight being the biggest culprit), they would have at least 5 more victories in my opinion.
Astro Joe
December 13th, 2012
9:51 am
Winning isn’t enough. Evidently, winning is slightly ahead of proper minute distribution. I guess folk have to b!tch about something, huh?
Section 303
December 13th, 2012
9:52 am
I loved the way the Hawks played last night. It felt like they were in control the entire way. Never had the feeling they were going to lose. If the Magic scored 100 pts, the Hawks would have scored 101.
May be early to make this claim, but I’m saying it anyways…From when the Hawks first made the playoffs (2008) to now, I think this is the best Hawks team of that group. They move the ball better, score easier, and play consistent defense better than any team in that timeframe. Any thoughts on that?
vava74
December 13th, 2012
9:57 am
Did not watch the game but watched all the plays shown on the condensed version of the game which can also be watched, one by one on: http://watch.nba.com/nba/games/20121212/ATLORL/21200310?isPost=true
This is a nice way to watch some of the crucial plays and get a feel on how things went.
Particularly impressed with Al’s apparent new spin move to his right when opponents overplay his left trying to take out was his most habitual post move. That was a powerful move and a jam to match.
Section 303
December 13th, 2012
9:57 am
Astro, I agree. I think LD has earned some credibility this season. He is winning me over. I wanted him replaced heading into the season. I do not feel that way now. Really impressive how productive the team is out of timeouts, both on offense and defense.
Also, LD seems to know how when and when not to interject himself in things. That’s just an observation from watching the games live and on TV. I think he is getting the hang of this coaching thing…
My only complaint (and I’m not sure I’m in the right on this)…I would like to see him get on the officials a little more. But, I hate officials. I think they’re all terrible.
Joey
December 13th, 2012
10:04 am
I loose respect for Ferry as he lets LD get away with just being stupid. – Rusty
********************************************
Just wow . . .
MsDee
December 13th, 2012
10:08 am
Combined, both Josh and Horford are averaging 33.8 Pts, 18.7 Rebs and 6.9 assists…Eastern coaches should vote those guys alone to be AllStars this year..boy, would THAT make Josh happy!!!!
vava74
December 13th, 2012
10:20 am
On LD and the Hawks:
It’s still early. Other teams have not yet scouted us and did not take us into consideration as a threat.
We could be going through the same procedure that JJ went:
1st: Early success whilst not being THE player on a team which posed a threat and that had to be scouted and stopped.
2nd: Subsequent struggles once he was properly scouted and became the focus of defenses since he was the most important player of a team which was now a threat.
To avoid the drop in production the Hawks will have to make adjustments faster than the scouting and the adjustments of the opposing teams is made.
We are still undersized all across and have exploitable weaknesses and it’s on LD to disguise and mask them and/or exploit them in our benefit (which is basically COACHING).
Astro Joe
December 13th, 2012
10:35 am
vava, is it safe to assume that the moment the Hawks have a 2-3 game losing streak is the moment when other teams take us as a threat? It sounds like as long as we’re winning, it is because the other team is not doing enough to win so the moment we start losing is when they decide to stop treating us like a junior high school girl’s team.
hfc95
December 13th, 2012
10:47 am
I find it hilarious so many of us on the blog realize how efficient and productive Ivan Johnson is, we are literally lobbying hard for a guy that plays 10 minutes a game. For whatever the reason may be for LD, personal, tactical, or just completley unaware that he has a guy that actually possess “that killer instinct” and he doesnt utilize him. Our PF and C rotation should be Josh and AL with ZaZa coming in and let Ivan get some time every night to relieve josh and al from playing 35+ a night.
Idk which starting lineup I like better
Jeff-Devin-Kyle-Josh-Al or Jeff-Deshawn-Kyle-Josh-Al
When we go big with Jeff-Kyle-Josh-Al-ZaZa it is great but with devin/deshawn/lou on the bench I feel LD cant get his subs down right when our bench gets guard heavy.
Astro Joe
December 13th, 2012
10:47 am
Let’s assume for a moment that the objective of a head coach and professional basketball team is to win as many games on your schedule as possible (I know, an absolutely crazy assumption). If you consider that moronic idea, then why not applaud sthe achievement of the goal? Sure, the schedule is going to change… there will be more games to be played and there is always a chance that the winning will give way to the alternative. But, again, assuming that the goal is to win as many games as you can witht he schedule that the league has put before you, why not celebrate success as opposed to sit around and wait for failure?
If you know that the fine lady that you luckily hooked up woth may get up and leave your sorry butt in a few weeks, don’t you enjoy whatever “perks” come with being with that fine lady while you have her? Or do you sit there in the corner with a joystick in your hand waiting for her to finally realize how much of a loser you are?
vava74
December 13th, 2012
10:56 am
AJ,
I am failing to see the logic on your posts. Sorry.
I am merely pointing out that:
1. Yes, nice early season success.
2. Causes for such success may not withstand the rigours of a long season and LD’s previously notorious inability to make adjustments.
I am enjoying the wins, but I am also seeing that there are several factors which should curb our enthusiasm.
Where’s the problem with that?
I know you are a live by the day Hawks’ fan, but guess what, I am too, however, that does not prevent me from being analytic.
I am surprised by the early season success and I am trying to determine why this is happening and how relevant it is.
vava74
December 13th, 2012
11:02 am
The concept is simple:
Yes, I think we have been getting some wins on account of catching other teams a bit with their pants down and that later in the season and against prepped up opponents it will be substantially more difficult.
Just like I think GS is being successful now, early in the season, also on account of a certain level of surprise factor.
Astro Joe
December 13th, 2012
11:15 am
vava, I guess I don’t understand the point (things may change). is there ever a scenario, where “things may NOT change” in the future? If a key player goes down, things will change for the most elite teams, right? I simply don’t understand the sentiment of issuing a warning that a storm may come. There is ALWAYS a chance that a storm may come. Isn’t that obvious? What’s the point if not to damper the excitement of a fan base? To provide a public safety announcement?
DS
December 13th, 2012
11:18 am
I agree with Astro Joe, LD deserves some credit. This Hawks team is not only winning, but it is actually a fun team to watch now.
“I think we have been getting some wins on account of catching other teams a bit with their pants down.” Really? The reason we are winning is because “we are catching them with their pants down”? I know that you live in Portugal, but you should try to watch a couple of more games…and not only Hawks game, watch other games too, because I seriously doubt you understand the NBA.
vava74
December 13th, 2012
11:21 am
AJ,
No. That’s not the point. The point is: “are we real or a temporary illusion”, not “things will change”.
Things can always change, but as fans of the Hawks and fans of basketball it is interesting to discuss WHY and HOW we are winning instead of only sitting and watching.
When you know WHY and HOW you are winning, you can plan (or in our case, as fans, simply conjecture and issue couch GM opinions) how you can improve and sustain momentum.
DS
December 13th, 2012
11:23 am
Not a rap music fan at all, but I’m glad to see that management is bringing some local artists to perform during Hawks game. TI will be performing on halftime on Dec 22 for the Bulls game. Danny Ferry is really turning around this franchise!
Astro Joe
December 13th, 2012
11:23 am
It is a beautiful, sunny day in Atlanta today.
WARNING – Rain may come sometime in the next few weeks. Don’t expect sunny days indefinitely.
You have been warned.
You can thank me later.
DS
December 13th, 2012
11:26 am
Best post of the day, Astro Joe (11:23 am)
vava74
December 13th, 2012
11:30 am
AJ,
Wrong again:
You look outside and you see the sun and feel warmth.
You want to go to the beach.
Don’t you want to know the forecast? Is it worth to load the car, change clothes and get on your way without knowing if the weather will suddenly change?
Why don’t you simply watch old tapes, strictly of Hawks’ wins?
Astro Joe
December 13th, 2012
11:52 am
vava, okay seriously. I don’t know if this is sustainable but I guess I don’t really care. Sure, teams will make some adjustments to take advantage of some of the roster deficiencies (i.e., size) but it isn’t like 25+ teams have the size and skill required to take advantage of that weakness. I fully expected the Hawks to win around 42 games this year and I would be thrilled if they beat that prediction by 10+ games. I do think they will eventually endure their own version of rainy days (either due to competition level or eventual injuries or bonehaeded decisions by players/head coach), but isn’t that true of every team? I think there is a good chance that the Lakers current problems will be a distant memory by the time the playoffs start (assuming Nash is healthy). I’d venture that every team with several new key players and/or new head coach and/or new status (like GSW) can reasonably wonder “if they are for real”.
Here’s what I appreciate, we’re not getting the “it takes time to build chemistry when you add this many new pieces to the puzzle” BS (like I am sure other fan bases are hearing).
Slimjr
December 13th, 2012
11:56 am
In other Sports News:
“Huge Football game this Sunday..A must win for the Giants!! The Giants are a desperate team fighting for their playoff lives…
The Falcons and Matt Ryan can quite the show me crowd..
Will they show up or meltdown once again?” Hmmmmmm
Slimjr
December 13th, 2012
12:02 pm
Memo to Coach Smith:
Their have the film.
Have NFL Defenses caught up to Coach Mike Smith Offense?
@ 2-2, his QB has only 6 touchdowns but 8 huge turnovers in the past 4 games..
MsDee
December 13th, 2012
12:03 pm
“Why don’t you simply watch old tapes, strictly of Hawks’ wins?”
Naw, Vava74, why dont YOU watch other team games and ask them those same questions. Boston, Miami, Lakers, Clippers, Memphis….have had up and down games. Not ALL their games were lost due to “their pants being caught down”, maybe just because the other teams scouted them to the point of knowing how to defend them where they are weak at. Heck, with out 2 loses in the past 12 games, the only difference I saw in those loses was Korver not being there. He left early that Cavs game with no return and of course was out during the Heat’s game. WE HAVE PLAYED TO OUR STRENGTHS WHILE TAKING CARE OF OUR OPPONENTS WEAKNESSES!!
I see NO rainy clouds in the sky AS LONG as Hawks CONTINUE to PLAY TO OUR STRENGTHS WHILE TAKING CARE OF OUR OPPONENTS WEAKNESSES!!
Slim
December 13th, 2012
12:03 pm
The good thing about wins is that it builds trust, chemistry, and most of all confidence amongst the team and coaches. The hawks will continue to get better offensively. In my opinion despite the early success, the hawks haven’t played there best basketball yet.
Astro Joe
December 13th, 2012
12:05 pm
vaqva, when I want to know the weather, I get that info from a meterologist who spent years in school learning how to read highly sophisticated models and historical data to determine how to forecast the weather 7-10 days out.
So now, watching basketball games on TV and blogging about it makes us the equivalent of a meterologist? And we’re so good, we can predict months out.
Trust me, I ain’t asking no one on this blog to forecast the weather when I make a beach trip.
WOw.
Slimjr
December 13th, 2012
12:09 pm
[They]^^^
vava74
December 13th, 2012
12:32 pm
AJ,
So why bother come here to the blog? We are supposed to discuss the Hawks and play couch HC and couch GM.
That’s the whole point of following sports on a blog beyond simply watching games. Never said that my commentaries would be a reliable forecast.
Why don’t you simply tell Buddy to shut down his blog since – god forbid – we fans should not have any opinions on why and how things are going…
You are back to your old ways man… your interest is not bball, just to prowl and do something we call in Portugal “mandar postas de pescada”…
The Truth
December 13th, 2012
12:33 pm
“For our team, we are going to have to learn to develop a killer instinct when we get a team down,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said. “Right now, we don’t have it. We bobble too many balls. We miss too many fast-break opportunities. We have too many defensive breakdowns when we get leads. We allow teams to get back into games” – LD
I double the diversity of readers comes to the Hawks blog to read about giggles and cheers and nothing more.
LD didn’t seem overly thrill with the victory. This was the HC assessment of the game. It certainly wasn’t a rah-rah great victory speech but a real and honest critique of his team performance. If LD was a blogging fan making these same statements on this blog, he would be criticized for not enjoying the victory; a party pooper, perhaps even labeled as sour grapes for stealing the enjoy from the rose-colored-glasses group during this fine holiday season.
I doubt the diversity of readers comes to the Hawks blog to read about giggles and cheers and nothing more.
LoL a typical day in Hawksville
Ryder
December 13th, 2012
12:36 pm
Great win by the Hawks tonight. Nitpick if you want, but what I saw was a team that (in the past) would’ve allowed a lesser team like Orlando to come back and win this game. I do think we will see more of the bench (re: Ivan Johnson) tonight against Charlotte. Can’t let the foot off the pedal now, especially with Golden State coming up Saturday.
One poster on Vivlamore’s blog made an interesting point about trading for Tyreke Evans of Sacramento. I completely agree with him in that Atlanta needs more offensive firepower if they even hope to overcome the Heat, Knicks, and even Chicago once Rose gets healthy. I fear that at best Atlanta will remain a middle of the road playoff team that can’t get over the hump unless a change is made, and it’s been evident as the season progresses.
Ryder
December 13th, 2012
12:40 pm
Larry Drew has done an amazing job of getting this team to play together, and credit the leaders of this team (Josh, Horford, Teague) with setting the culture which has led to this fast start. Atlanta can’t let their guard down tonight against Charlotte, lest they remember Ben Gordon lighting them up like a Christmas tree last time they met.
Astro Joe
December 13th, 2012
12:42 pm
vava, I come here to celebrate wins and enjoy the fellowship of a common bond of Hawks fans. Not to b!tch about minute distribution, suggest that we’re winning because the competition doesn’t take us seriously or predict doom and despair in the future.
And I come here to antagonize people like you.
Pack an umbrella.
doc
December 13th, 2012
12:43 pm
well my two cents worth ended in the blog monster’s hopper. hate it when that happens.
doc
December 13th, 2012
12:46 pm
my two cents worth were along the lines of aj.
i did declare both the falcons and hawks would not win it all this year, and i would guarantee it but fall on my sword if they did, happily.
cant rain on my parade.
Astro Joe
December 13th, 2012
1:19 pm
The Truth, identifying the weaknesses of the roster, individual players or head coach is a little different than predicting inevitable doom. And the head coach should NOT be satisfied with a less than perfect victory… especially when the team toook far too many 3s during the Orlando game. Someone brilliant blogger kept begging them to stop shooting 3s even before Orlando got the deficit down to a 2 possession game.
Some folk act like a victory that doesn’t include Ivan Johnson playing 10+ minutes shouldn’t count on the record books.