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
Sautee
December 18th, 2012
9:18 pm
keith,
You were talking about rebounding:
Okafor 2 reb,
Nene 4 reb
Horford 10 reb
Jae Evolution
December 18th, 2012
9:18 pm
Josh Smith making game-winning plays.
drmaryb.(""_*).
December 18th, 2012
9:19 pm
Fed Up!
A. HORFORD #15 C 36:36 2-8 0-0 0-0 +3 1 9 10 6 1 1 1 0 2 4
He not hungry fellas. My man Fed-Exed his game to Oklahoma City … [it was over nighted, yawl!]
keith
December 18th, 2012
9:19 pm
GREAT DEFENSE THAT TIME BY “SOFT” AL……
Rod from College Park
December 18th, 2012
9:19 pm
Why is our SF (josh checking Nene? Oh, I forgot, I know why. LOL . Predicted it before the game.
Melvin
December 18th, 2012
9:19 pm
That was a big no call on Josh and touch foul for NeNe
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2012
9:20 pm
Thanks for that gift, Joey Crawford.
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
9:20 pm
Al cant check Nene.He’s too slow of foot..
Melvin
December 18th, 2012
9:20 pm
Josh got the touch foul back… SMH
MattP
December 18th, 2012
9:20 pm
Melvin,
That foul was on Korver that swatted in the air.
keith
December 18th, 2012
9:21 pm
Easy lay-up missed by Josh…. Hit a d…..free throw please!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2012
9:21 pm
That’s one of those situations where the ball actually didn’t lie.
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
9:21 pm
tough misses on the free throw line…
J.J.M.
December 18th, 2012
9:21 pm
And that’s why josh will never be a #1 option can’t knock down clutch free throws
Wabe
December 18th, 2012
9:21 pm
not sure what everybody else’s take on Louis Williams has been…
but that dude is mighty overrated in my opinion.
Mookie Blaylock
December 18th, 2012
9:22 pm
All-Snub teamer..Josh Smith
High-sider
December 18th, 2012
9:22 pm
“Free Throw Shawty” – I be damn!!!!!!!!!
Melvin
December 18th, 2012
9:22 pm
Missed free throws at the end of the game, nothing new for the Hawks….
keith
December 18th, 2012
9:22 pm
If i am Danny Ferry, I am working the phones tonight…. I need another starting Center….
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
9:22 pm
SWEET LOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Melvin
December 18th, 2012
9:22 pm
Big 3 by Lou
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2012
9:22 pm
I was just about to complain why they are running Lou off screens instead of Korver, but nice shot.
Rod from College Park
December 18th, 2012
9:23 pm
Lou!!!
drmaryb.(""_*).
December 18th, 2012
9:23 pm
FREE!
They’re FREE boys. That means no one is guarding you. It is an uncontested shot opportunity. Get OFF the bus and stay in the gym till 3:00 O’Clockkkk 2-nite.
Bang! Lou Will for THREE!
Wabe
December 18th, 2012
9:23 pm
guess I look stupid…
still overrated though
Melvin
December 18th, 2012
9:23 pm
Teague hurt his ankle….
J.J.M.
December 18th, 2012
9:23 pm
Lol doublin crawford
keith
December 18th, 2012
9:23 pm
How does SCRUB Baron hit a shot???? Come on mannnnn!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2012
9:24 pm
Hold that ball at the top for 15 seconds, run Korver off a screen and get him a shot.
Mookie Blaylock
December 18th, 2012
9:24 pm
Wabe
December 18th, 2012
9:21 pm
not sure what everybody else’s take on Louis Williams has been…
but that dude is mighty overrated in my opinion.
______________
To be a guy off the bench, not really. It seems he gets his 13,14, 15, 16 points quietly. We waited on our “star” Johnson to put up similar numbers game after game.
High-sider
December 18th, 2012
9:24 pm
In the words of Florida Evans from “Good Times,” “Damn, Damn, Damn!!!!!!”
Rod from College Park
December 18th, 2012
9:24 pm
“And that’s why josh will never be a #1 option can’t knock down clutch free throws”
No one on the team is a number 1 option. That’s the problem.
keith
December 18th, 2012
9:24 pm
Earl Barron looks like my mailman…he should be sellin insurance…..
drmaryb.(""_*).
December 18th, 2012
9:24 pm
FREE Basketball?
Let’s hope NOT!
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
9:25 pm
25 11 for JC2! Larry you messed up on that one..
Wabe
December 18th, 2012
9:25 pm
I get your take for a guy coming off the bench…
but dude is a volume shooter.
he’s taking a lot of shots to get those points.
not saying he’s a complete bum or anything, but he’s not in the same ballpark as JC1.
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
9:25 pm
JT you have to go earlier on the clock dude!
keith
December 18th, 2012
9:25 pm
Mama,,,there goes that man…..Stupid Jeff Teague strikes again…..
Jae Evolution
December 18th, 2012
9:26 pm
What…the…fu*k.
MattP
December 18th, 2012
9:26 pm
Teague trying to tackle the Wizards…
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2012
9:26 pm
They didn’t run Korver off a screen at all in the last 3 minutes. Bad coaching by LD.
Mookie Blaylock
December 18th, 2012
9:26 pm
With the game on the line and the shot clock off, I dont understand why you’d take ANY shot other than a buzzer beater. Why allow the other team the chance to get a game winning shot?
O'Brien
December 18th, 2012
9:26 pm
terrible play by Teague. He should have made his move at 12 seconds (imo).
And where was the shot for Korver?
J.J.M.
December 18th, 2012
9:26 pm
Get teague out of atlanta next year! How the hell you a point guard and don’t even give your team a chance to win
keith
December 18th, 2012
9:26 pm
No confidence in his Jump-shot…..
Melvin
December 18th, 2012
9:27 pm
Call me a homer but i didnt like that charge call on Teague
drmaryb.(""_*).
December 18th, 2012
9:27 pm
You BIG Dummie!
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
9:27 pm
Should have hired Mark Jackson instead of Larry
High-sider
December 18th, 2012
9:27 pm
The best 1-on-1 and clutch player is Lou Williams. LouWill should’ve been takin’ that last shot. Come on, LD; get with the program!!!!
Plus LouWill is the team’s best FT shooter.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2012
9:27 pm
“not saying he’s a complete bum or anything, but he’s not in the same ballpark as JC1.”
Jamal was a better shooter off the dribble, but Lou gets to the free throw line at a much higher rate. 9/9 at the line. He hasn’t been consistent enough for me but I’d rather have a guy who can get to the line, especially on this team.