Game thread: Drew, Smith talk after ‘poor shot selection’ late vs. Pistons (updated)
UPDATES: Ivan Johnson is definitely out tonight. He remained at the team hotel. … Hawks will start Jeff Teague, Lou Williams, Kyle Korver, Josh Smith and Al Horford. “In the last couple of games we’ve played in going with this lineup it’s been good for us,” coach Larry Drew said. “I think with both Teague and Williams in the lineup it gives us speed, it gives us the ability to play a little faster. … I think it’s important on the road to dictate the tempo of the game and when it’s time to run we have to get out and fly.” … Drew said there is a “probability” he will save DeShawn Stevenson for tomorrow night’s game against the Pacers.
Vivlamore reporting.
Hawks coach Larry Drew acknowledged Josh Smith’s late-game shooting issues against the Pistons Wednesday as “poor shot selection” and said the two have spoken and are ready to move on.
Despite finishing with 31 points, Smith combined to score only one point in the fourth quarter and both overtimes. He was 13-of-18 shooting through three quarters but 0-of-7 in the final 22 minutes.
“It was just poor shot selection,” Drew said. “He knows it. We’ve already talked about it. That was a game where I thought he probably settled a little too much on the perimeter. He acknowledged it. We look at tape and we talk about it and we just move on.”
* Tonight the Hawks’ main focus will be on stopping the Cavaliers’ dribble penetration. The Cavs scored 46 points in the paint in their victory over the Hawks on Nov. 30 at Philips Arena. Now, they have point guard Kyrie Irving back.
“After looking at our last game, that is what really killed us,” Drew said.
Drew said the Hawks have added a few wrinkles for this game against the Cavs based on the last game. However, the focus will be on better execution both offensively and defensively.
“From an execution standpoint we have enough stuff where I think we can keep them off balance offensively,” Drew said. “It’s just a matter of us getting out there and executing the play and making sure we explore the option off the play, especially on the road. This is where it’s most important because we want to try to control the tempo on the road.”
The Hawks had trouble defending dribble penetration late in Wednesday’s game against the Pistons. Will Bynum scored 26 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter and two overtime periods. When Bynum and the Pistons weren’t scoring on layups, they were dishing to Andre Drummond for dunks.
“It is something we saw the last game when Bynum was penetrating, a big man was helping and then Drummond had the wide-open dunks,” Zaza Pachulia said of the Hawks defensive breakdowns. “Other guys have to help the big guy. It’s like a chain. Everybody needs to help each other and be on the same page. That is the key. If you do that we’ll make it easier on ourselves.
“I’ve seen this team doing it the right way and helping each other so I know we are capable of doing it. We just didn’t execute it the right way.”
* The Hawks will get a break in the rebounding battle as the Cavs will be without Anderson Varejao. The center has missed four games with a bruised right knee and he will miss the next two more, including tonight against the Hawks.
Varejao had 18 boards as the Cavs out-rebounded the Hawks 49-28 in their last meeting.
Varejao is the NBA’s leading rebounder at 14.4 boards per game.
Drew warned it’s not only Varejao the Hawks must be concerned about stopping.
“They have guys who really go and attack the glass,” Drew said. “We’ll have to be good in our box outs, not only our big guys but our perimeters as well. They are going to have to get in there and chase some loose balls down. Their size is certainly something we are going to have to deal with tonight but, again, we might try to combat that with our speed and quickness.”
- Chris Vivlamore
LATEST NEWS
* Johnson doubtful vs. Cavs with stomach illness
* Drew speaks to Teague about energy level
* Hawks 126, Pistons 119 (2OT)
* Williams remains in starting lineup
* Hawks have lost two of past three
* Williams ready for return to Philadelphia
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396 comments Add your comment
High-sider
December 28th, 2012
8:36 pm
After all that, the Hawks only have a one point lead at the half. [smh]
Honesty
December 28th, 2012
8:36 pm
We better crush this team in the second half. If JT has to play all 24 the so be it…and when was the last time Devin Harris played a full 82 game season? Man…
Slimjr
December 28th, 2012
8:36 pm
Hey AJ we did not have to wait long? Huh?
Lead down to 1..lol
Man, Rod Strickland’s god son is something special..Just like Rod in his prime…
keith
December 28th, 2012
8:38 pm
I would trade Al and Josh for more scrubs and tank this season to get into the lottery…. Neither Josh nor AL
Astro Joe
December 28th, 2012
8:38 pm
Slim, Hawks extended the lead when Waiters and Irving went out. On a team like the Cavs, we can expect to extend the lead when their only 2 offensive players are resting.
High-sider
December 28th, 2012
8:38 pm
Josh Smith – 7pts, 3rebs, 3asts, 2blks and 5 TURNOVERS!!!!!!!…at the half
Rusty
December 28th, 2012
8:39 pm
Lou Wliliams played PG most of the 4th quarter,so what do you expect,LD had JT on the bench. I notice that when opponents are driving to the hoop Al never steps in front of them.
keith
December 28th, 2012
8:39 pm
I would trade Al and Josh for more scrubs and tank this season to get into the lottery…. Neither Josh nor AL will ever “LEAD” this Hawk team to an NBA Championship!!!!!!!
cp
December 28th, 2012
8:40 pm
Almost the same problems each game. Who didnt see that coming
cp
December 28th, 2012
8:41 pm
The Hawks are not a good team in terms of boxing out, struggle at the free throw line, and dont like passing the pg the ball on the break. How long have we been complaining about these issues?
Astro Joe
December 28th, 2012
8:43 pm
Cavs average around 94 points/game and are on pace to score over 100. And Lester Connor is home with sickness.
W.R. Terrell
December 28th, 2012
8:43 pm
Anthony Tolliver and Zsa Zsa along with Lou were lifesavers in the 2nd quarter. Hopefully JT can resume his good play and Kyle can pick his game up. I think Al will come thru with rebounds and points and who knows what the “Smoove”, will do. My feelings is that the HAWKS should be up by at least 10 and ready to push hard for a bigger lead in the 3rd and first 7 minutes of the 4th. This is a team the HAWKS should have beaten the 1st time and should beat tonight. I really hope “STOOPID” has left the building.
Just Joe
December 28th, 2012
8:44 pm
Only problem I see is we allowed them to shoot 47% (26 pts in the paint). Tighten up the defense a little, and we should be fine.
Astro Joe
December 28th, 2012
8:44 pm
That Ciroc commercial has some very average looking women in it. Very strange choice… for a Diddy ad.
MattP
December 28th, 2012
8:45 pm
Why has Lou played more minutes than Teague?
Astro Joe
December 28th, 2012
8:48 pm
Nets responded to the firing of Avery by winning their first quarter without him, 33-15.
SteveW
December 28th, 2012
8:48 pm
Why don’t the Cavs play Leuer? Isn’t he Kevin McHale Jr according to somebody who at least used to visit the blog (sarcasm)?
Remember he wanted us to trade half the team for Leuer, and the other half for bogut, our two missing pieces…
Slimjr
December 28th, 2012
8:48 pm
” I notice that when opponents are driving to the hoop Al never steps in front of them.”
He’s watching like the rest of us.
Bet he has not taken 1 charge this season thus far? Hmmmmmmm
cp
December 28th, 2012
8:48 pm
MattP. LD is the coach. I hope Teague can get it going again in the second half but wont be shocked if its a repeat of the Kings game. Great first quarter, gets pulled then cant get back into his rhythm
cp
December 28th, 2012
8:49 pm
If tonight is any indication of how Josh will play after he and LD talk, then I hope that was the last talk of the season.
SteveW
December 28th, 2012
8:50 pm
As for this game, all I can say is the Cavs are getting some nice pieces, and I’m glad varejo is out
Slimjr
December 28th, 2012
8:50 pm
“Only problem I see is we allowed them to shoot 47% (26 pts in the paint). Tighten up the defense a little, and we should be fine.”
With this SOFT Front Line do not expect any change..Cleveland will hang in there and potentially pull out another win..
Slimjr
December 28th, 2012
8:51 pm
Irving is going for 30-35 tonight..
Blast
December 28th, 2012
8:52 pm
Game of runs. Who gets the last one?
2 FOR JOHN DREW
December 28th, 2012
8:52 pm
AJ …… how can Lester Conner help us ? Is he that big of a difference ?
Jesse
December 28th, 2012
8:54 pm
All of the NBA players are now to “buddy buddy.” Back in the 80s there wasn’t this nice chit chat on the floor. It made it more entertaining to watch.
Astro Joe
December 28th, 2012
8:54 pm
Connor is the defensive coordinator. Hawks give up aqround 94 PPG but appear like they will give up over 105 tonight.
Jesse
December 28th, 2012
8:55 pm
Wasn’t Teague supposed to be good on D? Bynum and now this? Come on JT, pick it up. I know Irving has hit some tough shots, but he needs to be a shut down PG
2 FOR JOHN DREW
December 28th, 2012
8:55 pm
I see …. Thanks
J.J.M.
December 28th, 2012
8:55 pm
Send josh to the bench
Najeh Davenpoop
December 28th, 2012
8:56 pm
I’d like to see them run more plays to get Al looks around the basket, like the one they ran out of the timeout.
Of course, the Hawks’ main problem right now is on the other end of the floor.
Honesty
December 28th, 2012
8:57 pm
You would THINK the players on the court would realize that JT was hobbling and run the play through somone else but thee looked about as clueless as Mike Woodson in a Time Out.
J.J.M.
December 28th, 2012
8:57 pm
Teague getting raped again by another elite point guard
Rusty
December 28th, 2012
8:58 pm
Buddy G you are exactly right the only reason LD said anything to Josh was the fans reaction to his jumping on JT. I just started to watch the game on the DVR 6 minutes into the game . Apparently Josh
Isn’t listening to him,he has taken 6 outside jumpers making 1′ Maybe LD said to him help me out but you really don’t to pay any attention to what I say. Just seen a fast break with Al in between the shooter
& the basket ,Al might as well not been there at all. That was 4 not 6 shots.
Astro Joe
December 28th, 2012
8:58 pm
Gotta run something for Lou. If he isn’t attacking on offense, then why is he playing?
J.J.M.
December 28th, 2012
8:58 pm
Why is korver even on the floor?
Melvin
December 28th, 2012
8:59 pm
Terrible start to the 3rd qtr for the Hawks….
cp
December 28th, 2012
8:59 pm
How hard is it to block out? Teague we need more of that
Jesse
December 28th, 2012
8:59 pm
If the starting 5 is getting run off the floor in the first five min, why not sub?
Honesty
December 28th, 2012
9:01 pm
Dang Lou…
Najeh Davenpoop
December 28th, 2012
9:02 pm
Run more plays for Al and Korver, or get Zaza in the game.
Admiral SnAckbar
December 28th, 2012
9:03 pm
Korver is one smart BB player.
Slimjr
December 28th, 2012
9:04 pm
Al getting beatdown!
Josh with 4 blocks! but shooting 2-10
Honesty
December 28th, 2012
9:04 pm
Bob Rathbun and his “Miss-calls” really annoy me. Everyone in the building KNOWS it’s the opposite call except YOU Smh…
Astro Joe
December 28th, 2012
9:04 pm
Good flop by Zaza.
Slimjr
December 28th, 2012
9:04 pm
Al aint playing any d! Sit his azz down….
Just Joe
December 28th, 2012
9:05 pm
Teague broke 20!!!!
Astro Joe
December 28th, 2012
9:06 pm
Josh didn’t see a pass on the fast break coming. Been too long since he allowed someone else to lead a fast break.
Blast
December 28th, 2012
9:06 pm
Say it again, Jeff is the MAN! Korver finally stepping up. Game of runs!
Honesty
December 28th, 2012
9:06 pm
Korver playing some serious D right now.