Atlanta Hawks game thread: Morrow out, Stevenson questionable (updated)
Vivlamore reporting from Washington, D.C.
UPDATE: Anthony Morrow will not play against the Wizards as he continues to experience soreness in his back. “We are going to rest him tonight due to the soreness in his back,” coach Larry Drew said. “We’ll take the extra precautionary measures.”
I asked Drew if the loss of Morrow would tempt him to play DeShawn Stevenson, whom he would like to rest for tomorrow’s game against the Thunder. Stevenson will dress. “In terms of the game plan of (Stevenson) playing or not playing, I was hoping (Morrow) would be able to play. So, we’ll just see how the game goes.”
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The Hawks will go with a starting lineup of Jeff Teague, Devin Harris, Kyle Korver, Josh Smith and Al Horford against the Wizards tonight.
There are two reasons for the unit, according to coach Larry Drew.
With a game at home against Oklahoma City tomorrow, Drew may not play DeShawn Stevenson. The veteran swingman and defensive stalwart does not play in back-to-back games and Drew would likely rather have him against the Thunder. By not starting Stevenson, Drew can monitor whether he needs to use him.
“There is a possibility that we will limit his minutes,” Drew said. “There is a possibility he will not play. We will make that decision right before game time.”
Drew also likes the lineup for matchup reasons.
“We have two guys who really push the basketball,” Drew said. “Kyle gets up and down the floor and is a spot-up guy. I think our matchups are pretty good with both Jeff and Devin. They are not very big at the 3 so we can go a little smaller.”
* Drew said the status of guard Anthony Morrow would be a game-time decision. Morrow, who has been suffering from a sore back, went through the team shoot-around Tuesday. Drew said he was still experiencing some soreness.
* The Hawks enter the game having won 17 of the past 18 games against the Wizards, including both games this season. Drew is wary that his team does not take the Wizards lightly.
“They are a very physical team with Nene, (Emeka) Okafor and (Kevin) Seraphin,” Drew said. “They have guys who can score the ball. … They are a very capable ball club. The last thing you can do is come into a game like this and underestimate this team. Forget the record. You have to go out and play this team with a sense of urgency. That is going to be the message tonight.”
Chris Vivlamore
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390 comments Add your comment
High-sider
December 18th, 2012
6:38 pm
Oh, this [blog] IS the game thread – my bad.
MattP
December 18th, 2012
6:42 pm
Wonder if we will see Jenkins this game. Could be a real possibility with Korver starting at 3 and it is only the Wizards. But knowing Drew he will go with a small rotation again like against the Grizzles.
doc
December 18th, 2012
6:46 pm
Najeh it may have been a shooting star but you aren’t giving the kid cred for what he did which was to revive a dead brand and team that was lost until he got on the court. If he hasn’t done what he did they would not have been in a position to be in the playoffs.
He may not be a one hit wonder as he and harden figure it out. No slouch walks in and does 22 and nine dimes in the garden under pressure and not have some skill. His contract is no more absurd than JJ’s and I counter Lin’s will have more worth to it in the end in comparison. It was quite a put down by those guys and he has a target on and people and players not wanting him to succeed much like Jackie Robinson did because of his race and accolades. That is my point as well. Rationalize all you want folks have done that on race and gender for a long time.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2012
6:55 pm
“ND, you don’t think Linsanity was because an underdog got hot on the biggest stage…..NYC?”
Partly, sure. But at the same time, I don’t see the reigning NL Cy Young winner getting the kind of national love that Lin got, despite also being an underdog in NYC. And I definitely don’t think he is 3rd in the West among guards in All Star voting if not for his ethnicity. Just saying it works in his favor at least as much as it works to his detriment, that’s all.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2012
6:56 pm
And apparently I can’t say the reigning NL Cy Young winner’s name because it gets eaten by the blog monster.
High-sider
December 18th, 2012
7:02 pm
doc,
“Najeh it may have been a shooting star but you aren’t giving the kid cred for what he did which was to revive a dead brand and team that was lost until he got on the court.” – doc @6:46pm, 12/18/2012
You aren’t giving Woody enough cred[it] for what he [Woody] did with the Knicks from last season to present. The Knicks [squad] is currently a No. 1 seed in the East. You don’t even give Woody enough credit for what he did with the Hawks. While this [Hawks] franchise may not be a title contender at the moment, it [this Hawks franchise] sure as hell ain’t “irrelevant.” [sic]
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2012
7:05 pm
“It was quite a put down by those guys and he has a target on and people and players not wanting him to succeed much like Jackie Robinson did because of his race and accolades. ”
Come on, man. Crowds yelled the N word at Jackie Robinson in unison. How many crowds were yelling chink at Lin? Dude got standing ovations in opposing arenas last year. It’s not even close to the same.
Lin had a target on him because he was being hyped way beyond his level of production, which in turn was at least in part because of his ethnicity. Yao Ming saw some early resentment when he was getting voted into All Star games, but most of that dissipated once he evolved into a player who actually deserved to start the All Star game. If Lin develops into that player, I figure you’ll probably see a lot of the resentment towards him dissipate as well.
I’d also argue the Amare signing and Melo trade revived the Knicks’ brand a lot more than a 16-10 stretch with Lin at the helm did.
Clarification
December 18th, 2012
7:06 pm
Mike Woodson’s coaching record:
W 242 – L 298 448%
Playoff record: 12-22 .353%
Just the facts, ma’am.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2012
7:10 pm
I don’t remember Yi Jianlian ever being targeted or resented by his peers. Just saying. The negative reaction comes from hype a lot more so than race.
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
7:11 pm
Good work Hawks!!!! This is the Game Thread!
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
7:11 pm
Hawks win the tap
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2012
7:13 pm
Hawks doing a better job of giving Korver options when he catches the ball coming off screens. He did a good job finding open teammates in Chicago when teams played him too aggressively.
Great ball movement so far.
Melvin
December 18th, 2012
7:14 pm
Nice start by the Hawks. 10-2
Hawks_4_Life
December 18th, 2012
7:15 pm
No mercy
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
7:17 pm
H-s,
its interesting how some of these Hawk fans show resentment towards Woody who took a basketball team who hadn’t been to the playoffs in almost a decade take them their several years in a row! What gives? Hmmmm
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
7:20 pm
Woody is 36-12 with the Knicks:
.750 wining percentage..That’s a fact, not imagination.. Hahahahahah
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
7:21 pm
there^^^
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2012
7:21 pm
Bob and Nique ain’t holding back about Jordan Crawford.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2012
7:23 pm
This is not Teague’s finest quarter, to be kind.
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
7:24 pm
Oh here comes NeNe!
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
7:25 pm
#3 with the Facial! Vicious Dunk!
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
7:25 pm
Go Ivan!
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
7:26 pm
wizards shooting 57%
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
7:27 pm
Both teams are pushing it tonight! Its run and gun..
Melvin
December 18th, 2012
7:27 pm
LD needs to show some confidence and play Jenkins. He’s down 2 wing players and playing the awful Wizards. Let the rookie play….
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
7:29 pm
Wizards are 3-18, just brutal..Injury bug has set them back big time…
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
7:30 pm
ZaZa too slow to guard NeNe!
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
7:31 pm
NeNe is a freaking beast!
Sautee
December 18th, 2012
7:32 pm
slim, IMO, Woody under achieved in his last two seasons. Plus, he lost the team, so what’s to be done?
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2012
7:34 pm
Sloppy quarter by both teams, but good result for the Hawks. I’d like to see them limit some of the wide open jumpers the Wizards got.
Blast
December 18th, 2012
7:35 pm
Not a bad qrt, but too many Hawks turnovers.
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
7:35 pm
Free Jenkins!
MattP
December 18th, 2012
7:36 pm
Looks like my question was answered early, Drew is going to play a small rotation instead of giving Jenkins time against the Wizards.
Hawks_4_Life
December 18th, 2012
7:36 pm
No a fan of Williams at the point but it works most times.
High-sider
December 18th, 2012
7:37 pm
Slimjr,
I don’t know “what gives.” I guess some of these Hawks fans have “selective ‘Romnesia.’”
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
7:37 pm
This Beal guard is smoking the Hawks guards!
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
7:38 pm
Hahah@ H-s!
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
7:42 pm
Dang Crawford just is a tough shot.
Hey Nique your description of JC2 mirrors your playing days!
“he’s an unconscious scorer”
“he never saw a shot he did not like” WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Sautee
December 18th, 2012
7:42 pm
Selective? I thought I was pretty specific.
Luke Cage
December 18th, 2012
7:42 pm
SWEET CHRISTMAS!!!
J.J.M.
December 18th, 2012
7:42 pm
Serious question who’s the last first round pick from the hawks that actually got crazy playing time?
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
7:42 pm
hit^^
2 FOR JOHN DREW
December 18th, 2012
7:42 pm
GO HAWKS !!! …… ATL IS WINNERSVILLE AGAIN !!!!!!!
Luke Cage
December 18th, 2012
7:43 pm
Back after a mini hiatus
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
7:44 pm
The Hawks suck right about now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
9 TO’s converts to 12 pts for the Wizards.
Wizard shooting 64%? Huh?
Luke Cage
December 18th, 2012
7:44 pm
Seems like our High Flyin’ Hawks are looking past the generals tonight and already thinking about OKC
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
7:47 pm
Wizards are playing like they are14-4?
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2012
7:47 pm
“Serious question who’s the last first round pick from the hawks that actually got crazy playing time?”
Horford
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2012
7:48 pm
LD needs to quit f-cking around and get Josh back in this game.
drmaryb.(""_*).
December 18th, 2012
7:48 pm
Dog Fight!
No defense going on here.