Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 113, Bobcats 90 (updated)
Vivlamore reporting.
The Hawks were not about to let an opponent back into the game.
Not this time. Not with what was at stake.
The Hawks started fast and rarely let up in a 113-90 drubbing of the lowly Bobcats Thursday night at Philips Arena. The win gave the Hawks (14-6) a share of first place in the Southeast Division and second place in the Eastern Conference with the Heat.
The victory came one night after the Hawks had to hold off the struggling Magic. It also came two weeks after almost losing a double-digit, fourth-quarter lead to these Bobcats at home.
After leading this game by as many as 28 points in the second half all thoughts of another comeback were moot.
“I think we were able to keep executing,” forward Josh Smith said. “We didn’t get complacent. When we get big leads we tend to get complacent a little bit and let our guard down. Tonight we were able to put our foot on the gas and not let up.”
The Hawks have won 11 of their past 13 games on the way to the top of the standings. They have won seven straight against the Bobcats, including all three meetings this season. One of the Hawks’ last two losses came Monday against the Heat when they had a chance to take over first place.
“I think we feel good about where we are right now,” Korver said. “I think we have a lot of room to grow. I think we are just starting to make some strides in areas we need to grow in, like execution, awareness, discipline. We have a lot of talent but we have to keep paying attention to details. I think in the last week and a half the team is starting to do that more. If we keep growing in those areas, that’s what you have to be able do. To beat the good teams in the fourth quarter you have to be able to execute and you have to play with discipline. You can’t just play harder. I think we are starting to get that.”
The struggling Bobcats (7-15) lost their 10th straight game. They haven’t won since Nov. 24 when they matched last season’s win total.
The Hawks didn’t have to rely on Al Horford and Smith in this one. They got big games from a host of players. Devin Harris scored a game- and season-high 20 points. Ivan Johnson, who had not played in three of the past four games, scored 16 points. Lou Williams had 13 points and tied a career-high with nine assists. Kyle Korver returned to the starting lineup and added 13 points.
Coach Larry Drew made a point to highlight the play of Johnson.
“I had not been playing him but he came in tonight and had an impact on the game,” Drew said. “Immediately you felt his presence. He did a phenomenal job coming off the bench.”
Smith had 18 points and Horford chipped in 11 points to round out the double-digit scorers. Horford had his streak of seven straight double-doubles snapped.
An 18-7 Hawks’ run to start the third quarter, including back-to-back 3-pointers from DeShawn Stevenson, put the lead at a game-high 28 points.
“I think mentally, in the locker room, we just decided that we were going to do it,” Korver said. “It’s easy to let up when you have a lead. We’ve done that several times. We’ve gotten away with it. But we know. Tonight, coach came in and he was talking about it but he didn’t have to because we were already talking about it. Like we were going to go out there and put them away.”
The Hawks led by as many as 19 points in the second quarter and took a 60-43 lead into intermission. Drew called the first half one of the best by the Hawks this season.
The Hawks took control of the game with an 11-2 run late in the first quarter and never looked back. By the end of the first 12 minutes, the Hawks were leading, 30-19, on 61.1 percent shooting (11 of 18). The Bobcats, by stark contrast, shot just 30 percent (6 of 20).
The Hawks had three double-digit scorers in the first half alone with Harris (16), Smith (12) and Korver (10). Harris bested his previous season-high of 15 points through just one half.
“It wasn’t easy,” center Zaza Pachulia said of the Hawks’ position in the standings. “There are 14 other teams that are trying to be in your place. It always feels good to be number one. It’s just a quarter of the season and we have a long way and more games to go. It’s important to have this feeling. We still have to improve. I’m sure we have a gap there that we can get better, especially against the better teams. We haven’t played New York and Boston yet.”
The Hawks have played back-to-back games four times this season. They are 3-1 in the openers and 4-0 in the finales.
- Chris Vivlamore
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183 comments Add your comment
Rev in Tampa
December 14th, 2012
11:15 pm
test
Rev in Tampa
December 14th, 2012
11:18 pm
Hey, Hey!!! Thanks C-Viv. You are the best. I can blog from home.
Of course, I am going to blame you when my wife hounds me for ignoring her.
doc
December 14th, 2012
11:32 pm
high sider i am not sure why you are addressing me on this.
i think rglll is the real deal and i really like his brain/articulation, his effort and deportment as a cultivated member of this society. i could only hope my child could be as mature as he is. some are obsessed about race and some aren’t. the best book i ever read was cry the beloved country that i read and fully absorbed in 1965 but i was fully engaged to the stupidity of it by the age of 7. i was also in the streets as was buddy g. i am still not obsessed by it but will not abide by it when i see it or hear of it in any form, angry white boys nor angry black bruthas.
this idiot on espn was an example of reverse racism as i see it, simple concept. a seeming huge problem for the african american culture, i think and denial about what integration means and entails, i guess. is kayne west not a brutha because he is doing kris’ girl/wife as they are still married. see, it is really stupid isnt it? not sure if i can give it any credence at all and i hope you really aren’t.
doc
December 14th, 2012
11:40 pm
for rod i see what you are talking about when it comes to d12. kobe has nothing but respect for him:
In the end, these Lakers are responsible for regenerating championship aspirations themselves. There always promised to be an uneasy partnership between Bryant and Howard, because they’re personalities that are so diametrically different. Howard is the class clown, and Bryant has little, if any, use for levity within the locker room – especially amidst the losing. They’ll never be close – not unless they win a title, anyway – and truth be told, for these Lakers to prosper, they don’t need to Bryant and Howard to be close.
This is why Bryant was calling upon Gasol and World Peace to be his partners in shepherding these Lakers back to championship contention. D’Antoni has never been a coach to hold people accountable, to be a great leader of men, and thus so much more is thrust upon this Lakers locker room. On the day of the Lakers’ trade for Howard in August, Bryant told me he believed Howard’s clown act wouldn’t travel from Orlando to Los Angeles, because he said, “I think that changes just by the pressure that he’s under now.”
heh heh, riiight.
Grandad
December 14th, 2012
11:46 pm
If RG III is black … they wear headgear in fb;
so if `n yawl say he`s black then okay by me.
-and-
RG III marries his white fiancee;
then they have a baby ?
The baby ain`t white nor black – so what`s the Big deal.
*[taupe - I reckon]
It don“t matter / skin color don`t matter;
-until-
somebody decides it matters.
So, if we let it alone;
little RG IV don`t have to worry `bout none of this Bull$#:+;
`scuse me ladies … manure.
The more muck folks rake … the more muck gets stirred up;
-ergo and thereupon-
releasing that much more methane into the atmosphere !
High-sider
December 14th, 2012
11:57 pm
doc,
I am not a fan of Rob Parker and am in no way defending him on his discussion of RG3’s “blackness.” I found him to be disturbingly inarticulate and ineloquent during his RG3 rant – hard to believe he actually attended Columbia University but I digress. I understood Rob Parker’s premise but the way he “went about it” somehow ended [up] wrong. He [R. Parker] came across as he shouldn’t [have] and that was “unfiltered.” Rob Parker needed to have realized [that] he was on ESPN First Take and not at “the barbershop.”
Najeh Davenpoop
December 14th, 2012
11:59 pm
High-Sider, everything you said may or may not be true and I have no interest in entering the white-black racial conversation since I am neither. What I do know for a fact is that a) Rob Parker doesn’t know RG3, b) Rob Parker has no idea what RG3 thinks and what motivates him, and c) Rob Parker made up some unsubstantiated sh-t about RG3 to get people paying attention to Rob Parker. Pretty standard operating procedure for him and everyone else at First Take. He is the worst.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 15th, 2012
12:01 am
Here’s another thing — when did it become OK for grown men to gossip about who another grown man is having sex with? Forget the barbershop, that seems more like a conversation appropriate for the beauty salon.
doc
December 15th, 2012
12:25 am
najeh is that meant towards me? i was drawing the analogy of one black man having a fiancee and another being with a white woman jet setting all over the world. is one a brutha and the other not is the point i was making. parker brought it up in not too complimentary form and high sider seems to find some truth it. if it is true for one then it is true for all and just making that a point of reference.
i refrained from saying anything specific. you, i guess chose to make more out of “doing” to be something specific. so, i guess your mind was gossiping. kayne and kk seem to be pretty tight though, by all appearances. anyway, hanging, doing hooking up, traveling together all over the world, is it gossip or something they want everyone to see? doesnt seem to gossipy if their pix are all over does it? it is obvious and quite froward and how she makes her money and him too. najeh come on now, that is not gossip. it is commerce of today, face factor.
bfred
December 15th, 2012
12:26 am
I saw Parker’s comments live during the show and frankly couldn’t believe what I was hearing. RGIII can’t just be a man, a human? He has to live according to Parker’s prescribed code of being ‘down with the cause’? You know when Stephen A. is stunned a line has been crossed. I’m glad to hear ESPN is already taking action.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 15th, 2012
12:35 am
“najeh is that meant towards me?”
No, I was talking about Rob Parker. I didn’t read your post before I posted that.
doc
December 15th, 2012
12:43 am
ok sorry and cool because i did allude to the issue because h-s included some of it. i didnt hear it in full. i dont want to hear it but heard about it on the radio today, many of the details and in print what was said.
i dont know if anyone heard the accounts of witnesses that were at the scene of the accidnet that took the life of a cowboy but it was the most chilling thing i have ever heard. the rant of parker is one i can do without. someone texted to a radio show, that it was a rant that made anyone dumber who had to listen to it. i can see that.
I MUS WRITE
December 15th, 2012
1:02 am
Slim Jr apparently you didnt see the Orlando Game Nicholson was a non factor, he looked like a deer in the headlights. He has one good game and hes a budding All Star? You and Grandad should drop the pom poms. Grandad what language is that your speaking -I think ur the only one who understands gee chee.
Rob Parker is a coward -Dont hide behind unknows at a barber shop, Just say you dont like RG3 Just you think hes an Uncle Tom. A suspension was coming either way go out with gunz a blaze’n
Sumbody mentioned this earlier but we should kick the tires on Birdman Anderson.
I MUS WRITE
December 15th, 2012
1:07 am
AhhhhYes…… Najeh Davenpoop The colorless one -almost forgot -Come on man ive only been asking for 4 yrs -what are you Native American,Aborigine,Eskimo,
Grandad
December 15th, 2012
3:28 am
Andrew Nicholson:
Actually I haven`t mentioned him since before the draft;
but since ` I MUS ‘ called out [myself and slimjr]
I reckon I ought to answer.
The kid is still finding his way.
`Though I would love for our Hawks to have this kid.
Obviously, he will need to learn the ropes, but,
when he does, he may or may not be an all-star;
however, he will be a solid pro for 10 plus yrs.
Thats my prediction – barring inj.
He would be better suited on a team with a veteran Big
that could provide guidance, ORL does not have that.
IF he were here Josh, Al, and Zaza
would provide a good vet support system.
Better yet, if he were in Boston or San Antone;
and could learn from KG or Duncan.
He`s a highly intelligent kid,
he`s gonna be a keeper.
In reality he`s more a blue collar type than flashy.
Is that enuff.
Grandad
December 15th, 2012
4:28 am
G`Dad —>translates Gee Chee :
headgear – helmet
fb – abbreviation for football
if `n – if / not to be confused with f `in or effin
taupe – a color; tannish brown with a grayish tint
fiancee – girl one is to marry / or sumpin` real fancy
RGIV – little Robert or Roberta
Bull$#:+ – manure; or bovine excrement,
BS cont.(also feces from a non-castrated adult male cow)
`scuse – excuse, or pardon me
manure – see above; r e; B$
muck – soil; most famously in and around Pahokee & Belle Glades Fl.
*(local HS fb players develop speed chasin` rabbits in the muck)*[true]
rakin` – stirrin` up (in the context with which I used the word)
ergo – latin; Cogito, ergo sum ( I think, therefore I am)
methane – gaseous emissions from manure
atmosphere – air
Glad to oblige.
doc
December 15th, 2012
10:00 am
wow, pahokee/belle glade. was rich soil on which to grow stuff. had a buddy in school from there.
O'brien
December 15th, 2012
11:33 am
If the Lakers continue to spiral, the chances of D12 leaving will increase. Bu I think chances are he will consider Dallas and Houston before ATL.
On another note, JJ hit the game winner for the Nets against the Pistons. Typical JJ – clutch against bad teams.
terrell
December 15th, 2012
11:38 am
Overpaid JJ and Bust Marvin Williams are finally being exposed. Been holding TJeff, Al, and Josh back for years. Now bring the ASG their money back. lol
Ken Strickland
December 15th, 2012
11:40 am
GRANDAD-Skin color does matter to many, but it’s genetics that’s the deciding factor. The Black gene is dominant while the White gene is recessive. We know, or at least should know, that recessive genes cannot produce dominant genes, while dominant genes can produce both dominant and recessive genes.
Therefore, the offspring of a Black and White parent will be Black genetically, regardless of skin color. As far as this race thing is concerned, we must remember, or learn to accept, that all of the so called races are nothing more than genetic variations of the one ORIGINAL RACE, THE BLACK RACE.
It has been proven linguistically, anthropologically, archeologically, geographically, and genetically, that the 1st humans were Black. Therefore, all of the so called different races originated from the SEED RACE, the little reddish black TWA or pigmies. History, genetic, and science lesson over.
GEE CHEE-This is associated with a group of former African slaves and their decendents who spoke a deviated version of the english language. They were originally centered in and around the Charleston, SC area and spoke in the verb TO BE, which is an African linguistic trait.
They’ve also included a number of West African words and phrases that’s allowed linguist to trace their origin back to specific tribes in West Africa. As far as this race thing is concerned, we must all remember, or learn to accept, one thing.
Therefore the idea of a White Adam and Eve is pure BS, and that all of the so called races are nothing more than genetic variations of the one ORIGINAL RACE, which was BLACK. Lesson over.
terrell
December 15th, 2012
11:46 am
I see Joe hit his once a year game winner last night. lol. I’m loving the “energy” around here without the two energyless ones.(Joe/Marvin)
terrell
December 15th, 2012
11:51 am
As long as RG3 stops wearing that damn headband, he can be whatever color he wants to be. lol. Looks kinda sissy.
keith
December 15th, 2012
11:55 am
Christmas came “very early” for me with the “Exodus” of one Joe Johnson and one Marvin Williams. Maybe Danny Ferry has at least 1 more X-mas present for us going forward???
Slimjr
December 15th, 2012
12:00 pm
Weapon of choice by the invisible one: divide and conquer…
its been working for at least 6 thousand Human years…..Hmmmmmmm
keith
December 15th, 2012
12:13 pm
Great move by not pursuing Pau Gasol, bad knees, however, we still need more defense in the playoffs.
We could use a “Sam Dalembert type” by the trade deadline to lighten the defensive load on Josh Smith. As of right now, Josh is our leading shot blocker.
brigadierjerry
December 15th, 2012
12:25 pm
doc, granda, etc,
interesting article on mike woodson and his feelings on larry drew:
http://nymag.com/news/sports/mike-woodson-2012-11/
paian
December 15th, 2012
1:40 pm
Keith you finally come to the light to realize that pau is a bad addition, An I think we should pursue dalembert also b/c he gets no playing time behind larry sanders, ekpe udoh, ilyasova, and drew gooden.
paian
December 15th, 2012
1:43 pm
Thing is who are we going to trade for him? I think his salary is at 7m
keith
December 15th, 2012
1:58 pm
I would offer Morrow and Ivan for Dalembert. Drew does not understand how to use Ivan anyway.
Just Joe
December 15th, 2012
2:29 pm
I prefer Ivan over Dalembert. Ivan’s effort and toughness would be missed. Dalembert is just a 7′0″ stiff IMO. I’m not sure he can have much impact on a game.
I hope the Hawks go after a scoring threat at the trade deadline rather than a 2nd/3rd string center. Maybe Ferry can find us a 6′9″+ guy with a 3-pt shot. A guy that can help out on the boards while spacing the floor. You know, what Tolliver was supposed to be able to do.
doc
December 15th, 2012
2:33 pm
brig good read
thanks you know iike a thoughtful article
time for woody to put the hachet down though. as it put in the article even the most loyal will do what they have to do to get an open job. in woody’s case he dropped probably one of his most trusted associates through the years to get a new agent. the job was open and woody was the only one who didnt realize it. they werent going to give him a raise one 4 mil a year sund signed him for before the crash and an even more disinterested ownership and he wasnt going to take a pay cut to less than a mil a year that ld took. he was too proud a man.
he is a good man and got the job of a lifetime for being one and patient. ld delivered unbelievably well on his promise too. billy knight is still without a job. finally, woody, with a big market budget team now has more talent at every position through the bench and the guys in a suit behind it, than he had as a hawk coach. i expect them at least in the ecf. good for him.
at this point to even bring ld into the equation is just gamesmanship. woody is looking for any edge.
keith
December 15th, 2012
2:40 pm
“Mama, there goes that man” by Mark Jackson
Tonight’s game will be another litmus test in terms of how good we are. Mark Jackson interviewed for the Hawks coaching vacancy after Woody. Mark may allready be the early leader for Coach of the Year. Golden State matches up solid against us. The key will be our bench tonight.
keith
December 15th, 2012
2:49 pm
Drew will never make Ivan a part of his permanent rotation. I suspect that there some sort of personality conflict between Drew and Ivan. Ivan more than likely crticized Drew and his horrible decsion making with his “Body language” and maybe “verbal language” . Consequently, Myopic Megalomaniac Monkey, Larry Drew, does not understand how to manage critcism in a “Big Boy” manner!!! Grow up Larry, Ivan should be playing major minutes!!!