Game thread: Smith back in Hawks lineup (updated)
Vivlamore reporting from Houston.
Josh Smith returned to the Hawks lineup Monday against the Rockets. The forward missed the team’s last game, a win over the Pacers Saturday, with a strained right hip flexor.
According to Smith the extra day of rest was beneficial.
“I’m going to play,” Smith said. “It always helps when you have an injury and you can get some extra treatment and extra therapy.”
But is Smith still in pain?
“I’m going to play,” he said. “I’m all right.”
The Hawks didn’t hold a shootaround Monday but Smith warmed up prior to the game and declared himself ready.
“Prior to our last game we wanted him to rest and treat it,” coach Larry Drew said. “It’s feeling better. We wanted to wait and see how he did when he got over to the gym today. He went out and warmed up and he felt pretty good.”
* With Smith back, the Hawks returned to a starting lineup of Jeff Teague and Lou Williams at guard, Kyle Korver and Smith at forward and Al Horford at center.
* Guard Devin Harris (sore left foot) and Anthony Morrow (right hip strain) did not travel with the team to Houston. According to Drew, they will also miss Tuesday’s game at New Orleans. They remain in Atlanta and a further evaluation will be made when the team returns.
* The Hawks will be looking to avenge their season-opening loss to the Rockets with James Harden went for 45 points. Williams will draw the initial defensive assignment on Harden.
Drew said the Hawks’ defensive lapses were the main issues in the 109-102 loss at Philips Arena.
“We are going to have to do a good job stopping dribble penetration,” Drew said. “That was the one thing that just killed us the last time we played this team. They just continually got to the basket. A lot of was just off of our pick-and-roll coverage. We didn’t do a good job on our pick-and-roll coverage. They are a team that plays a real up-tempo style, make or miss. Our last game they really pushed the ball down our throat. We didn’t get back and get matched (up defensively). It’s going to be important that we try to control the rhythm of this game and not try to get into a jump-shooting contest or run-and-shoot contest with this team. This team is built for that.”
* I asked Drew if he would take a different tactic with Harden considering his 45-point effort in November.
“I remember. Don’t remind me,” Drew said of Harden’s game. “We just have to be better with our defensive coverages. That’s where we had the breakdown. I think defensively we are in a better place that the first game of the season.”
* The Hawks will be looking to avenge another home loss with a win on the road. The Hawks defeated the Cavaliers Friday after Cleveland won at Philips Arena in November.
- Chris Vivlamore
LATEST NEWS
* Harris, Morrow not on trip to Houston
* Williams wants to remain starter
* 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
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211 comments Add your comment
High-sider
December 31st, 2012
8:45 pm
Spurs blowin’ out the Nets and “Coach Killer” (Deron Williams) at the end of the 4th quarter, 85 – 52.
Blast
December 31st, 2012
8:45 pm
Zaza might not have played well in the early half, that does not mean he won’t play better in the 2nd. Only Hawks playing well in the 2nd are Lou and Al. Everybody else has stunk it up. Josh, Teague, Korver, Ivan…
You name it.
High-sider
December 31st, 2012
8:47 pm
Teague is currently 1-13 from the field; make that 3-of-15. Two quick buckets.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 31st, 2012
8:47 pm
Lin fouled the sh-t out of Jenkins on that layup, no call. Sucks to be a rookie.
northcyde
December 31st, 2012
8:47 pm
Batista killing us.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 31st, 2012
8:48 pm
17 points on 12 shots, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks in 23 minutes. Josh hasn’t been that bad.
northcyde
December 31st, 2012
8:49 pm
High-sider
December 31st, 2012
8:47 pm
Teague is currently 1-13 from the field; make that 3-of-15. Two quick buckets.
*******
If Josh Smith was having that type of game, this blog would literally be on fire right now.
Nice stroke from Jenkins.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 31st, 2012
8:50 pm
Pretty sure at least 5 of those Teague misses have been layups.
Blast
December 31st, 2012
8:50 pm
Seems like Hawks are the only team Houston can beat on a consistent basis, otherwise their record would be better than it is.
Melvin
December 31st, 2012
8:51 pm
ZaZa ain’t doing nothing tonight. Put Ivan back in….
Rod from College Park
December 31st, 2012
8:51 pm
“17 points on 12 shots, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks in 23 minutes. Josh hasn’t been that bad.”
Just about to say, Josh has played pretty well. Not sure what game these other dudes are watching. The guard and wing play has killed us. Other than Lou Williams, no production and no defense.
High-sider
December 31st, 2012
8:51 pm
Josh Smith is the only Hawks’ player who’s attempted a FT in tonight’s game?
Najeh Davenpoop
December 31st, 2012
8:52 pm
Teague is 1/9 in the paint and 1/7 at the rim. On nights like these he needs to start drawing whistles when he drives inside.
Melvin
December 31st, 2012
8:52 pm
Lin and Harden are getting too much respect from these refs
Blast
December 31st, 2012
8:52 pm
Refs freaking killing us, as usual.
Not like Houston is a championship team. Why refs have so much bias against the Hawks?
LouWill83
December 31st, 2012
8:53 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
December 31st, 2012
8:47 pm
Lin fouled the sh-t out of Jenkins on that layup, no call. Sucks to be a rookie.
Well Sucks to be a Hawk, because Teague penetrated at least 7 times and missed and at least 2 were definite fouls. The difference in this joke of a league is if you are a superstar they will give you free throws to gain confidence and start hitting shots but if youre not than you have to make shots before they start blowing the whistle… Joke
northcyde
December 31st, 2012
8:53 pm
High-sider
December 31st, 2012
8:45 pm
Spurs blowin’ out the Nets and “Coach Killer” (Deron Williams) at the end of the 4th quarter, 85 – 52.
*******
WHAT???
I was watching this game, and it was 55 – 47 at halftime, with JJ trying to keep it close.
And they only scored 7 points since then? Wow. 10 points now
Outscored 39 – 10 in the 2nd half right now.
FIRE PJ
Sautee
December 31st, 2012
8:54 pm
Delfino killing us
Nate ArchiBALL
December 31st, 2012
8:54 pm
If Teague could shoot a left handed lay up when he’s on the left side he would be dangerous……..always brings the ball back to his right for the layup.
Melvin
December 31st, 2012
8:54 pm
Houston is shooting it too well tonight.
W.R. Terrell
December 31st, 2012
8:54 pm
The HAWKS lost timing and continuity with the starting unit put on the floor tonight. Another reason LD needs to go. The man has believed in a dream concerning the “Smoove” for too long. ZaZa should have started. Josh throws everything off, his only quest is to get his points.
Melvin
December 31st, 2012
8:55 pm
Put ZaZa on the bench
northcyde
December 31st, 2012
8:55 pm
And that’s why Zaza shouldn’t be in.
Gotta love what Jenkins is doing right now.
LouWill83
December 31st, 2012
8:56 pm
Someone please Beg for Drew to take a stand behind his team and criticize officials after the game.. Oh Wait, That Fine is Probably 3 month salary with what we re paying him.. oh well
Najeh Davenpoop
December 31st, 2012
8:57 pm
“If Teague could shoot a left handed lay up when he’s on the left side he would be dangerous……..always brings the ball back to his right for the layup.”
Very true. Or even if he could just go up strong and draw contact.
Jenkins has looked good and even Scott has looked like a player who belongs in this league.
High-sider
December 31st, 2012
8:57 pm
Korver has only three field goal attempts?
Rod from College Park
December 31st, 2012
8:58 pm
“Josh Smith is the only Hawks’ player who’s attempted a FT in tonight’s game?”
That is the problem with the Hawks as constructed. Nobody gets to the line regularly.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 31st, 2012
8:58 pm
The Hawks other than Josh are 0/0 at the free throw line. That is pretty unbelievable.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 31st, 2012
9:00 pm
Jenkins!
JaeEvolution
December 31st, 2012
9:00 pm
JOHN JENKINS!!!!!!
northcyde
December 31st, 2012
9:00 pm
His shot is so pure. Git em Jenkins.
That damn Batista hit another 3. Get it back
Blast
December 31st, 2012
9:01 pm
Jenkins! Love that guy! Drew stupid for not playing him, but Carlos is killing us, man.
High-sider
December 31st, 2012
9:01 pm
northcyde,
I meant to say “85 – 52 at the end of the 3rd quarter.”
Najeh Davenpoop
December 31st, 2012
9:02 pm
Carlos Delfino season stats: 36.7% FG%, 33.9% 3FG%, 2.1 ast, 1.3 TO
Tonight: 8/10 FG, 6/8 3FG, 7 ast, 0 TO
northcyde
December 31st, 2012
9:03 pm
If Drew doesn’t put the starters back in now, they’re not coming back in. Drew may be saving them for tomorrow night . . or he wants this to be a comeback that Teague spearheads.
Sameba
December 31st, 2012
9:03 pm
The small forward problem is haunting Hawks??
Mookie Blaylock
December 31st, 2012
9:03 pm
So its safe to say Morrow and/or Harris is gone in a trade at some point this season?
northcyde
December 31st, 2012
9:03 pm
No starters.
And Zaza is a statue.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 31st, 2012
9:04 pm
For comparison’s sake, Josh shoots 35.6% from 3. So the Hawks have let a worse 3 point shooter than Josh shoot 6/8 from 3, which is basically the difference in this game.
That and-one by Harden is probably the dagger in the coffin.
northcyde
December 31st, 2012
9:04 pm
John Jenkins channeling his inner Salim Stoudamire.
Melvin
December 31st, 2012
9:04 pm
Hawks are not getting the touch fouls like Houston…
JaeEvolution
December 31st, 2012
9:05 pm
Man, John Jenkins is nice…
Mookie Blaylock
December 31st, 2012
9:05 pm
I thought this guy couldnt drive and couldnt defend? Nice to see guys in Hawks unis overachieving as opposed to watching our “all stars” Al and Josh under perform most of the time.
Melvin
December 31st, 2012
9:05 pm
This shooting by Houston is unbeliveable…
Nate ArchiBALL
December 31st, 2012
9:06 pm
Two games in a row where AS-Al has zero free throw attempts.
Offensive light is on for JJ.
Blast
December 31st, 2012
9:06 pm
Who is guarding these 3 point shooters? Nobody. They are too good to be left wide open!
northcyde
December 31st, 2012
9:06 pm
This is like reverse Clutch City right here. Instead of tossing it to Olajuwon, and he kicking it out to shooters, the guards break everybody down and they kick it out to the shooters.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 31st, 2012
9:06 pm
Houston is the 14th best 3 point shooting team in the league, at 35.5%. The Hawks are 8th at 37.4%. Tonight the Rockets are 14/27 (51.9%) from behind the arc.
Admiral SnAckbar
December 31st, 2012
9:07 pm
Hawks have to sag in too much cause we don’t have a rim protector in the middle and get killed from the outside. too many wide open shots. but we haven’t folded. keep fighting till the end and maybe….
Sautee
December 31st, 2012
9:07 pm
“Two games in a row where AS-Al has zero free throw attempts.”
Which is not to say that he hasn’t been fouled.