Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 109, Pacers 100 (updated)
Vivlamore reporting. Here is the updated game story from Saturday’s win over the Pacers. I got some really great stuff from Lou Williams on being in the starting lineup. Look for that story tomorrow.
There was no need for a 14-point fourth-quarter comeback this time.
The Hawks jumped out early and cruised to a 109-100 victory over the Pacers Saturday night at Philips Arena.
The Hawks had to erase a big deficit for a victory over the Pacers on Nov. 7. That was not the case on this night – thanks in large part to Zaza Pachulia. The center stepped in for the short-handed Hawks and delivered with a double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds.
“I’m trying to do my best every game,” Pachulia said. “I’m a role player. I’m trying to do my duty. I’m trying to do the things the coaches expect from me and my teammates as well.”
The Hawks (19-9) played without leading scorer Josh Smith, Anthony Morrow and Devin Harris due to injury. Still, they led by as many as 18 points for their fourth straight victory. The Hawks, third in the Eastern Conference have won four straight and 11 in a row at Philips Arena against the Pacers.
Lou Williams had a career-high 12 assists to go with 21 points for his first ever points-assists double-double. The Hawks also got double-digit scoring from Al Horford (20), Kyle Kover (16), Jeff Teague (15) and rookie John Jenkins (career-high 10). Ten of Teague’s points came late in the fourth quarter.
“I don’t think that is our focus,” Williams said when asked if the Hawks are respected league-wide. “I think it’s just to continue to come out and win games. We prefer to fly under the radar. I’m sure when teams come in here they realize they are playing a good basketball team. In the locker room we understand that. That is the only thing that matters.”
The Pacers (17-13), fourth in the East, had a four-game win streak snapped and lost for only the second time in nine games. David West led the way with a game-high 29 points.
The Pacers used an 18-8 run to start the fourth quarter to cut their deficit to three points, 91-88. But the Hawks answered with a 10-2 run to re-gain some breathing room.
Pachulia got the start in place of Smith to counter the Pacers’ 7-foot-2 center Roy Hibbert. The Hawks limited the big man to no points and one rebound.
“Just be physical with him,” Pachulia said on stopping Hibbert. “Don’t give any ground. Don’t let him take position early or in transition. That was one of the keys and I think we did a good job.”
Pachulia spoke post-game with a long scratch near his right eye, a battle scar from the night.
“DeShawn (Stevenson) says if I’m not bleeding, I’m not playing,” Pachulia said.
The Hawks led 55-48 at halftime after shooting 61.5 percent from the field (24 of 39). They led by as many as 11 points, late in the second quarter, but took control of the first half in the opening period.
The Hawks used an 11-2 first-quarter run to open up a nine-point lead. In a key sequence, rookie John Jenkins fed Horford for a layup and after an immediate steal buried a 3-pointer for a 29-20 lead.
“Man, it feels great,” Jenkins said. “I’m not an express-my-emotions type of guy but it definitely feels good to go out there and make shots.”
A 3-pointer by Williams with 3:39 remaining in the first quarter gave the Hawks a 21-18 lead, an advantage they would never surrender.
Horford finished with 14 first-half points but the Hawks got major contributions from their bench. Jenkins tied his career high of eight points in the opening half. Pachulia, who did start at center, had eight points and seven rebounds. Even Johan Petro chipped in with four points in the first 24 minutes. Ivan Johnson finished the game with six points coming off a missed game due to a stomach illness.
“That is two games in a row that we got big, big production from our bench,” coach Larry Drew said. “I thought our bench came in and did a phenomenal job.”
The Hawks used a 14-2 run in the third quarter to push their lead to 18 points.
For the Hawks it was their second game in a stretch of four games in four cities in five nights. After a travel day Sunday, the Hawks play at the Rockets Monday and at the Hornets Tuesday.
- Chris Vivlamore
LATEST NEWS
* Drew acknowledges Smith’s ‘poor shot selection’ late vs. Pistons
* 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
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93 comments Add your comment
kevkat
December 29th, 2012
10:24 pm
Who are the “Rockers”?..lol
#1 PRHawksfan
December 29th, 2012
10:27 pm
Hope u all start giving LD some credit 19-9, almost evereybody in this blog had the Hawks playing .500 or less…c’mon like it or not right now he’s even a candidate for coach of the year!!! Go Hawks!!
Bulldawg
December 29th, 2012
10:32 pm
Could the Hawks please win a game in Houston? I can’t remember the last time they won there.
HawkFan
December 29th, 2012
10:44 pm
Heat going down hard to Bucks. Scott Skiles can really coach.
doc
December 29th, 2012
10:54 pm
two things:
horford sucks and cant play when he has to to win mor play with the big boys
milwaukee is quietly becoming really good
goid won by hawks and.a loss tomorrow makes me into a prophet heh heh
take that rod whoever you are
kidding
Blazerdawg
December 29th, 2012
11:04 pm
PR – right on about LD. Ivan Wiliams played awesome tonight as well.
terrell
December 29th, 2012
11:05 pm
Glad to see Jenkins getting some burn. Shoulda been startin at the 2 from the get go instead of Harris. Devin aint no damn 2 guard.
keith
December 29th, 2012
11:22 pm
JohnJenkins is wise beyond his years….Head is screwed on right….Proves that College helps them become better and more prepared Basketball players….Just look at at Josh., he still doesn’t get it!!!
Grandad
December 29th, 2012
11:25 pm
To Coach Drew with respect:
LD continues to do one thing, if nothing else.
He is improving still;
LD has shown growth [in his coaching] from day one.
I have both defended and castigated LD`s coaching.
Nevertheless, it is impossible to deny his ongoing maturity.
Despite all the hand-wringing,
the man deserves considerable plaudits from we, the blogerati.
Grandad
December 29th, 2012
11:26 pm
Enter your comments here
Slimjr
December 29th, 2012
11:48 pm
Grandad with words of wisdom..I’m with ya 100%^^^^^^^^
Slimjr
December 29th, 2012
11:59 pm
Teague is going to make Larry’s job easier as he takes his game to the next level..
Jeff and AL with the pick and pop/roll will become a go to tandem that will not be denied and draw many fouls!! Can you say playoffs?
Jenkins has got to play..He’s that good! Korver is the glue and Lou is the super glue!
Ivan the Great is going to get his money worth on a nightly basis and Zaza will relentlessly bang with the biggest until the Fat-Lady sings! lol!
kuhndog
December 30th, 2012
12:01 am
Good win against a good team, it was refreshing to see the Hawks play w/o smoove,we still need him even with his bonehead decisions. Do not under estimate smoove, I am suprised that LD has coached this team as well as he has. It does go to show you iso Joe probably not the best offensive scheme. I still take a wait and see approach to this team we have yet to really hit the meat of our schedule, and I have been let down too many years as a Hawks fan. Yes we could use one more good piece but can this player gel with this team?
Ken Strickland
December 30th, 2012
12:03 am
Hawk fans can criticize LDrew for singling JTeague out for criticism, and that includes me. However, none of us can deny that Teague has obviously responded to that approach.
Let’s also give credit where credit is due, and JPetro deserves a lot of credit for having a good gm after not playing much the entire season. He showed more activity and was more effective in tonights gm than in any gm this season.
I can’t say it enough, but KKorver is definitely no longer a DEF liability.
Grandad
December 30th, 2012
12:09 am
Slim the jr
” West dropped 29 on who? ”
-&-
” Hawks got the win but got killed in the paint tonight ”
Slim – please understand, I`m not defending anyone.
But your statement, along with the follow-up got my attn.
1st of all – I was pissed at how loosely we seemed to guard
DWest tonite.
After I read your post I perused the shot chart [DWest]
-breakdown-
inside = 3 made shots [one offensive reb]
mid-range [12 - 16 ft] = 5 made shots
long two = 1 made shot
from three = 2 made
FTs = 5 made
*29 pts
-conclusion-
They were giving West the jumper in order to keep him out of the paint.
I`m guessing ?
-note-
Both Al and Zaza were defending West at times;
either assigned to him or off switches / rotations.
Grandad
December 30th, 2012
12:29 am
Slimjr
Thanks for your acknowledgment @ 11:48 pm.
O'Brien
December 30th, 2012
1:13 am
Good win for the Hawks. And although I have my issues with LD, the fact is the team is 3rd in the East, and nobody expected that. Therefore, props to LD.
If Jenkins continues to get minutes, and continues to produce, I hope that convinces DF to trade Morrow or Harris, preferably for a SF.
Big Ray,
This team is better with Josh Smith on the floor, but as someone else pointed out, when Josh doesn’t play, our PG handles the ball so much more. I think the team will be better off when LD and Josh realizes that he should give up the ball on the break, and fill the lane.
O'Brien
December 30th, 2012
1:27 am
Roy Hibbert is making $13.7 mil this year. DeAndre Jordan is making $10 mil. Check out their season averages. Meanwhile, Zaza is making $4.75 mil. Props to Zaza who is the best backup center in the league.
If the Hawks can bring in another solid backup center, I am fine with Zaza as the starter, and that would allow them to trade Al for a combination of assets (SF, SG, first round picks), and resign Josh to play PF (assuming Dwight does not sign with us of course).
O'Brien
December 30th, 2012
1:30 am
Eastern Conference Standings
1) Heat: 20-8
2) Knicks: 21-9
3) Hawks: 19-9
Enjoy it Hawks fans (regardless of the schedule)
falCans
December 30th, 2012
1:58 am
You all fail to realize how much we’re over achieving. EVERYONE should be proud. Here’s a look at up coming Free Agents:
PG Brandon Jennings-8 – 10 mill
Tyreke Evans 6.9mill (this year) im guessing he takes a pay cut
Chauncey Billups 4 mill (this year)
SGMonte Ellis 11 mill (this year)Doubtful he takes pay cut
O.J. Mayo 4.3 mill (this year) Sure to get a hefty raise im guessing Ty Lawson pay (11)
Tony Allen 3.3 mill (this year)
Leandro Barbosa 1.2mill (this year )
Shannon Brown 3.5 mill (this year)
SFMarvin Williams(lol not too many wings in the market)8 mill(tyhis year) Market=3-4 mill
Chandler Parsons 800,000 (this year)not sure what market sets
PF T.Hansborough 4.2 mill (this year)
Kurt Thomas 1.2mill (this year)
C D.Howard 19.3 mill(this year)
Al Jefferson 15 mill(this year)
Darko Millicic 1.2 mill (this year
clutch
December 30th, 2012
2:42 am
Anybody who thinks the hawks are better without josh is either a fool who doesn’t know what he is talking about or just a plain hater. Point, blank, period. Secondly every team has what you people like to call ball stoppers, durant, westbrook, kobe, Pierce, lebron and so on. Thats part of the game
Grandad
December 30th, 2012
3:31 am
clutch
There`s a difference in a player who shoots alot and a ball-stopper.
I suspect you were referring to Josh in the above post:
“Secondly every team has what you people like to call ball-stoppers”
Josh is ‘`Not`’ a ball-stopper
JJohnson was a Ball-stopper / the worst I`ve seen.
Josh likens himself to Magic and fancies himself a playmaker;
when reality & logic suggest – Josh should be a finisher:
r e; Amare, SMarion, BGriffin, Nene, KenyonMartin.
From your above list – LBJ shoots alot as he should;
but in no way shape or form is he a ball-stopper.
LBJ is perhaps the Best play-maker in the game.
____________________________________________
Not being argumentative, only contributing.
EmirS.
December 30th, 2012
3:34 am
^ So wait, I got confused. Are you putting Josh in that group?
Anyways,
What do you, fellow bloggers, think of Lou Williams being in the starting lineup? Something to consider going forward? Or better coming off the bench?
EmirS.
December 30th, 2012
3:37 am
And I’m not sure whats worse…the fact that the Bobcats have lost 18 straight, or the fact that there are two teams still with a worse winning percentage than the Bobcats and one team with the exact winning percentage as the Bobcats!
Najeh Davenpoop
December 30th, 2012
4:44 am
“Hawks shot 55% from the field, 50% from the 3pt arc and 78.6% from the FT line. Do those (shooting) stats drop (considerably) if Josh (Smith) had played tonight? I don’t know.”
This is the 5th game this season that they have shot over 50% from the field. Three of those came against crappy teams, but one was the win over the Clippers. So yeah, I think it is possible they could have shot just as well in this game with Josh as they did without him.
In this game, the Hawks shot 23/42 (54.7%) from outside the paint. In other words, they took plenty of jump shots and made a really high percentage of them. That percentage would almost certainly be lower with Josh on the floor. I’d be surprised, though, if they make such a high percentage of their jump shots in a replay of this game even with Josh sitting out again. 54.7% is a pretty high number even for a team that plays Korver and Jenkins major minutes.
The point is that while it’s hard to say what impact Josh may have had on the Hawks’ shooting tonight, it’s pretty likely that they are not going to replicate this jump shooting performance as a team any time soon whether he plays or not.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 30th, 2012
4:51 am
In the last three matchups against the Pacers, here are Zaza and Hibbert’s numbers:
Tonight: Zaza 7/11, 17 pts, 14 rebs; Hibbert 0/2, 0 pts, 1 reb
Nov 7: Zaza 3/5, 6 pts, 14 rebs; Hibbert 4/12, 9 pts, 7 reb
Mar 6: Zaza 4/7, 12 pts, 10 rebs; Hibbert 3/6, 13 pts, 8 reb
I think it’s fair to say Zaza has figured out Roy.
Still stupid that Hibbert got an All Star spot over Josh last year.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 30th, 2012
4:54 am
Jenkins continues to show that he can play. I thought most of his mistakes in this game were due to unfamiliarity with his teammates, particularly the starting unit. But dude keeps showing that he can get his shot against anyone. I get that it’s tough to find minutes for him when Morrow is healthy since both players are very similar, but I think over the course of the season LD can phase out Harris and get those minutes to Jenkins and Morrow.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 30th, 2012
4:56 am
vava74
December 29th, 2012
7:43 pm
Najeh is probably at the game
Good guess.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 30th, 2012
5:00 am
FTPB
“Ferry has to notice how much better this team is playing without Josh Smith, he’s a ball stopper like Joe Johnson, except much less offensively talented than Joe.”
I expected plenty of comments like this on the game thread. Big difference between Josh and Joe — Josh gets good, open looks for his teammates, while Joe more often than not pounds the ball until the shot clock is almost up and passes to teammates who are only in a position to jack up a bad shot at the end of the clock. Both are capable passers, but Josh is far more willing and has much better passing instincts. It’s not even close.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 30th, 2012
5:01 am
Finally, props to Lou for picking up the slack as a playmaker while Teague was stinking it up on offense for the middle part of the game. A day after Lou looked like he had no business playing the point, he comes out and sets a new career high in assists.
Duluth Joe
December 30th, 2012
6:35 am
Excellent game last night. That was grown man basketball.
Those boys were playing hard and physical. Ivan and Zaza and Al played hard all the way. I was concerned couple times how hard Korver was going after the loose balls, and thought he would injure himself. Teague was again attacking, and that is good to see.
Strange to see Petro, and he was effective. Jenkins as most can see, is a player. Larry Drew is working him slowly and correctly into rotation. Fine job by our coach. I don’t want old Sloan or Van Gundy siblings or throwaway Avery Johnson or some other recycled has/had been. I want our young coach with our young(?) team to grow together.
Indiana was playing hard, in good rhythm, and with confidence coming in. Hawks lacking major pieces. And Hawks still win. This was an impressive win. Hawks are a good team, no question about it. Can’t wait to crush the Celtics next week.
Good day in Hawksville
steve brown
December 30th, 2012
8:53 am
Enough already of we are better with Josh Smith on the floor. Josh is a good player, a nice piece for some team, but he is not an all star, he continues to make the same boneheaded plays after all these years and he can be replaced by a player that might actually be better for the team (though the player may not be from Atlanta which will only help to un-cloud some of your view’s).
Danny Ferry probably really enjoyed this game and this past week for a few reasons. He has now seen the complete Josh and I don’t think he will be willing to spend max dollars on Smith, though with Smith’s ego Smith will expect max dollars and therefore most likely will sign elsewhere. Ferry can now wait for the right trade to appear, if it doesn’t, see if Josh would sign for a reasonable number or just let him go and use that money to sign a better player/free agent for this team. A win, win, win for the team.
Jody
December 30th, 2012
9:00 am
It should be mentioned that we’re a better rebounding team when we’re not playing small up front and as a result, get more possessions and more opportunities to score. Like it or not, the Hawks rebound better when ZaZa and Horford play the majority of minutes at the 4 and 5. They both also take better and higher percentage shots than Josh. That is NOT to suggest we don’t need Josh because we do. He should be used more at the three so that the team rebounding is stronger from game to game as both Horford and ZaZa a better rebounders.
keith
December 30th, 2012
9:23 am
JOSH A LIABILITY IN LAST 6 MINUTES OF GAMES
Everyone played to their strength’s last night…Zaza Pachulia’s presence along with Ivan, could not be, and can not be, quantified….Al seemed more comfortable with his shot selection…Jeff Teague was again very decisive down the stretch…..GREAT TEAM BASKETBALL DOWN THE STRETCH LAST NIGHT….
doc
December 30th, 2012
9:23 am
so folks are upset west gets samost thirty?
seems folks are missing the forest for the trees.
hibbert does nothing, west gets his from outsude the paint, even on rebounds, we font have our premier inside player on josh? seems like the plan worked perefectly as they worked hard inside and got a win against huge odds. kinda similar to when the other team lets josh shoot all he wants. sometimes he gets points as they get what matters mist, a w.
gdad i honor your mea culpa on ld. he will last past your expiration date for sure. 28 and counting. one game back in the east. whoda thunk it.
btw nice picks by df. what is jones doing, wasnt he supposed to be starting by now for the thunder iie a certain starter for us. would not have even been close to that on this heady squad. loved zaza and ivan last night, men.
Sautee
December 30th, 2012
9:34 am
“Still stupid that Hibbert got an All Star spot over Josh last year.” – Najeh
While I agree that Hibbert was undeserving, and that Josh deserved a pick, Hibbert was named by the coaches (like Al was), and until this year, the coaches HAD to name a backup center when voting. That’s the only reason Al made it in ‘09 and ‘10.
I actually think you know this, but voiced your displeasure regarding the system. If anything, Stern should have named Josh to replace Joe, but he chose Rondo instead.
drmaryb .(""_ ^).
December 30th, 2012
9:38 am
Rebound !
___________
First of all, what a treat to see Poop’s game assessments this morning That is better than a cup-of-Joe.
Mr. Smith is not going anywhere people. He is home here and, we need his talents in The ATL so, over get
keith
December 30th, 2012
9:42 am
NEXT UP HOUSTON
James Harden torched us here last time…Omar Asik played like Charles Barkley…Hopefully, we will get the “Big Line-up” against Houston…Zaza Pachulia seems to play more effectively as a starter???
HawkFan
December 30th, 2012
9:45 am
Great seeing the positive comments on LD. We have to recognize that the man has gotten better and will continue to improve. Good moves so far this year
Starting Lou and leaving him there
Working Jenkins in as he has done
Keeping all he guys hungry when they get their chance, Ivan, Tolliver, etc
In bounds plays after timeouts, he’s a damn genius here
Driving Teague to be ultra aggressive
Working Lou at point, have to have more than one option there
Just somehow allowing his team to play to their strengths. Run, shoot, steal
He recognizes the rebound problem but sees a bigger picture
I’ll probably be blogging all over his butt before the season is up but kudos to what he has done and what he might do in the future here
drmaryb .(""_ ^).
December 30th, 2012
9:49 am
Contd …
* so get over it. Last night’s fantastic play was nothing more than an incredible opportunity for the bench players and, rookies to step up and, more importantly for the coaches/GM to assess what we have and what we need to move this program forward.
What a great group of guys Mr Ferry has assembled! Offensive fire power, chemistry, ball sharing, swarming effort on defense and, a willingness to focus on rebounding when lacking from game to game. Don’t forget the fine improvement from the coaching staff with Mr Gattison(?) added in the off season.
Let’s keep this up as, this is more good stuff than even I expected.
Great Job Mr Ferry & to the eight feces throwing orangutans for their disappearing act.
drmaryb .(""_ ^).
December 30th, 2012
10:00 am
Scroll-a-Trolle!
________________
I just want to give a shout out to the disciplined Iconic bloggers & the breath of fresh air new like, Duluth Joe for, ignoring the lone-fool that fills our pages with all his foolishness re: Mr Smith on here.
This nut job is like a mass murdering school house shooter firing Hollywood blanks upon one target and, he still can’t get a clean hit. What a waste of human tissue. The only good news is, after reading the first day of that minusha? I now know when to step on the scroll key and, get to the same stuff. (lol while smh)
drmaryb .(""_ ^).
December 30th, 2012
10:02 am
* and, get to the SANE stuff.
zeyfromtheay
December 30th, 2012
10:13 am
HOW TO GET JOHN JENKINS SOME MINUTES WITHOUT SITTING HELPFUL PLAYERS
Teague/Harris/Williams
Jenkins/Williams/Morrow
Korver/Stevenson
Smith/Johnson
Horford/Pachulia
I think eventually we should start John Jenkins. Either that or keep starting Lou Williams and have John Jenkins behind him. It would be better to have the more EXPERIENCED Lou WIlliams lead the 2nd unit though.
Unless we need to play big and have Korver at the SG position, start him at the SF. We have a VERY flexible lineup.
Morrow may lose some playing time in favor of John Jenkins but we can play him if other players aren’t going. I do feel that HARRIS will have slow nights and injuries every now and then. Williams could play PG and Morrow at the SG in those cases.
But I believe depending on how John Jenkins grows, we may not need to search for a star player that desperately.
GO HAWKS!!!