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
Rod from College Park
December 18th, 2012
9:28 pm
“not saying he’s a complete bum or anything, but he’s not in the same ballpark as JC1.”
Ding, Ding!!!!!! They make the same amount of money also.
keith
December 18th, 2012
9:28 pm
Punk Booty Teague….SMDH….Trade Teague and Al Horford TONIGHT to the Lakers for the LAKERS BENCH!!!!!
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
9:29 pm
Teague jumper needs a ton of work and he knows it that why he does not pull in the paint for the wide open 8-12 footer..
He aint got one: a[mid-range Shawty]!
Mookie Blaylock
December 18th, 2012
9:29 pm
Best options as a “closer” = the ball in Lou Williams hands….or kicking something to Korver
drmaryb.(""_*).
December 18th, 2012
9:29 pm
NeNe’s feet were NOT set!
High-sider
December 18th, 2012
9:29 pm
“not saying he’s a complete bum or anything, but he’s not in the same ballpark as JC1.” – Wabe @9:25pm, 12/18/2012
Hello!
MattP
December 18th, 2012
9:29 pm
Mookie I agree.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2012
9:29 pm
“Teague jumper needs a ton of work and he knows it that why he does not pull in the paint for the wide open 8-12 footer..”
The problem isn’t his jumper as much as his release point. He has shown he can make shots at a decent rate, but he can’t make them off the dribble because they get blocked too often since he releases the ball so low.
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
9:30 pm
If they lose tonight, they get blown out tomorrow
MattP
December 18th, 2012
9:31 pm
Teague pretty much disappeared after 1st half, Lou should have been the closer.
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
9:32 pm
Yea, so what your saying is his jumper-release pt needs a major adjustment or this is what you get TO’s…
Mookie Blaylock
December 18th, 2012
9:32 pm
All Star Al…..STUFFED
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2012
9:33 pm
Nice play call by the Hawks but Al gets rejected. This hasn’t been Al’s night offensively.
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
9:33 pm
Al gets his shot blocked again!
Wheres our ALLSTAR???????????????????????
J.J.M.
December 18th, 2012
9:33 pm
Bench horford for ivan dude is too damn weak
Melvin
December 18th, 2012
9:33 pm
Horford has at least 3 block dunks tonight…
keith
December 18th, 2012
9:33 pm
WEAK AL GETS BLOCKED TOOO EASY!!!!
Rod from College Park
December 18th, 2012
9:33 pm
“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.Enter your comments here”
Not sure where that info is coming from, but it is not true. JC1 has been to the line more than Lou this year, and he is a better FT shooter.
Melvin
December 18th, 2012
9:34 pm
Has Krover even touch the ball in the 2nd half?
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
9:35 pm
I dont believe I have ever seen al get his shot blocked so much?
Deshawn!
drmaryb.(""_*).
December 18th, 2012
9:35 pm
A. HORFORD #15 C 41:38 2-10 0-0 0-0 +3 1 10 11 6 2 1 1 0 3 4
MattP
December 18th, 2012
9:35 pm
Stevenson’s 3 has been very helpful this season.
Rod from College Park
December 18th, 2012
9:36 pm
Again, why is SF checking Nene. DOes the all star have foul trouble. LOL
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
9:36 pm
Ballgame Stevenson! Whew….
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2012
9:36 pm
“JC1 has been to the line more than Lou this year”
On a per minute basis Lou gets to the line more, which matters because Jamal plays more minutes than Lou. But the difference between the two hasn’t been as great this year, because Lou’s rate of getting to the line is down while Jamal is getting to the line at his highest rate in five years.
keith
December 18th, 2012
9:36 pm
Opposing Teams do not respect our Post defense…..
keith
December 18th, 2012
9:37 pm
We have got to free up our MVP KORVER…
O'Brien
December 18th, 2012
9:38 pm
Does this mean Stevenson wont play tomorrow night against OKC?
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2012
9:38 pm
Al picked a great time to have his best defensive possession of the night. Switches out on Jordan to push him out nearly to half court and rotates in time to block Webster’s shot.
keith
December 18th, 2012
9:38 pm
Watch Horford Miss 2 Free Throws……..
Rod from College Park
December 18th, 2012
9:38 pm
Good d Al.
keith
December 18th, 2012
9:39 pm
Hawks got lucky 2-night Boys…
High-sider
December 18th, 2012
9:39 pm
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.
————————————————————————-
Not counting tonight’s game:
2012 – 2013
Lou Williams – 21 games; 70-of-80 from the FT line [0.875]; 3.8 FTA/gm
Jamal Crawford – 24 games; 89-of-95 from the FT line [0.937]; 3.95 FTA/gm
MattP
December 18th, 2012
9:40 pm
wow come on
Mookie Blaylock
December 18th, 2012
9:40 pm
All Soft Al
All Air Ball Josh
wtf were Al and Josh doing those last 2 possessions?
O'Brien
December 18th, 2012
9:40 pm
missed FT will cost them games against good teams. They missed 11 tonight.
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
9:40 pm
Josh and Al just day yum!
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2012
9:40 pm
Lou at PG over the last couple of possessions has been pretty ugly.
keith
December 18th, 2012
9:40 pm
STUPID BIGS….SCREWING UP IN CRUNCH TIME…..SMDH…OVER AND OVER!!!
High-sider
December 18th, 2012
9:40 pm
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/crawfja01.html
J.J.M.
December 18th, 2012
9:41 pm
Hawks deff will lose tomorrow with all these minutes/drew not giving other people playing time
High-sider
December 18th, 2012
9:41 pm
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/willilo02.html
MattP
December 18th, 2012
9:41 pm
i hear a crawford 3 coming
Sid
December 18th, 2012
9:41 pm
what a clown
Mookie Blaylock
December 18th, 2012
9:41 pm
Ferry, get a star around these ROLE PLAYERS Josh and Al…or put them on a plane for one.
O'Brien
December 18th, 2012
9:41 pm
Najeh’s fav song. Gangnam Style
Slimjr
December 18th, 2012
9:42 pm
Tomorrow= Oh the Humanity!
SOS Hawks
December 18th, 2012
9:42 pm
Keep the ball away from the ball hog josh. He sux
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2012
9:42 pm
High-Sider, on those basketball reference pages, scroll down to the per-36 minutes section.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2012
9:43 pm
“Najeh’s fav song. Gangnam Style”
Haha… if only the Hawks won in regulation they might have got through the whole game without playing it even once.