Game thread: Hawks wary of Pistons’ bench
Vivlamore reporting from Auburn Hills, Michigan.
The Hawks take on the Pistons tonight and will use the same starting lineup from the past six games of Jeff Teague, Lou Williams, Kyle Korver, Josh Smith and Al Horford.
In speaking with coach Larry Drew before the game, he is wary of the Pistons’ bench players. It was the Detroit reserves, you’ll remember, who combined to score 85 points, erase a 22-point deficit and force two overtimes on Dec. 26 in a Hawks’ 126-119 win.
Will Bynum scored a game-high 31 points off the bench for the Pistons.
“We have to be better against their bench,” Drew said. “That particular game, their bench just played well. I don’t think that has happened to us thus far this season but that game. Their bench played well, really shot the ball well. We have to be better defensively. We know what each guy is capable of doing. Defensively we have the game plan, the game strategy and we just have to be good when those guys come into the game.
“We have to make those guys a priority. Given the way this team has played the last seven or eight ball games, their bench is a huge part of why they’ve had the success they’ve had. We have to really buckle down and we have to really zone in on their bench.”
The Pistons have won five of their past six games with the only loss coming to the Hawks.
Drew said the issues in blowing the 22-point lead rested mostly with his team.
“I was actually just in there watching a little bit of it,” Drew said. “Defensively, we had breakdowns. Offensively, just bad shot selection, bad floor spacing, bad execution. That was the result. It was funny as I was watching the fourth quarter. I believe at the six-minute mark we were up by 14 or 16 (points) and you had not seen that game or stopped the game at that point you would have never guessed it went to double overtime.
“We didn’t do a really good job offensively. We settled – a lot. When you settle, that’s the end result especially if you are not making the shots. And the Pistons just ran the ball down our throat. Bynum got to the basket pretty much at will. They had some guys who made some shots. You have to be more efficient in those situations. When you get a lead you have to understand how you got the lead and you have to learn how to really work the offense. That game we didn’t do it.”
In other news:
* The Hawks played without guards Devin Harris (sore left foot) and Anthony Morrow (right hip strain) and center Johan Petro (stomach illness). The three did not travel to Detroit and their status for Saturday’s game against the Celtics in unclear.
* Josh Smith ranks eighth on the Hawks’ franchise list with 5,001 rebounds. He entered Friday’s game trailing Cliff Hagan by 18 rebounds for seventh on the list.
“It’s a great honor,” Smith said after getting his milestone rebound against the Hornets Tuesday. “It lets me know I’m getting older. I still have a lot more in my tank to go but it’s a blessing to be doing this as long as I have.”
* Entering Friday’s game, Al Horford had 207 field goals this season with 45 (21.7 percent) assisted by Smith.
- Chris Vivlamore
LATEST NEWS
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* Behind the scenes photo gallery
* Drew named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month
* Drew looking for more minutes for Jenkins
* Drew concerned Hawks settling for 3-pointers in transition
* Harris, Morrow not on trip to Houston
* Williams wants to remain starter
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313 comments Add your comment
Najeh Davenpoop
January 4th, 2013
8:33 pm
“How are u gonna get on JJenkins when they are not even passing him the ball?”
Not blaming him, just saying giving him more minutes doesn’t necessarily mean the team will play better in this game considering that he didn’t make much of an impact when he was on the floor.
At this point, I’m willing to try anything against this team, though. Sh-t, play Petro if that helps.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
January 4th, 2013
8:34 pm
We have to find a way to win when our 3’s aren’t falling.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 4th, 2013
8:35 pm
I’d like to see them go with the big lineup and play zone. Josh can roam around and force turnovers, Zaza can control the boards, and on the offensive end Josh is almost certain to get favorable matchups in the post.
Swingman912
January 4th, 2013
8:37 pm
i missed the first half…but it looks like i didnt miss much….WHAT HAPPENED!?!
Slim
January 4th, 2013
8:38 pm
If ld gonna play small against these big lineups, he needs to mix it up with a shifting 3-2 zone.
Melvin
January 4th, 2013
8:38 pm
The Hawks struggle against teams that have good perimeter players…. Rockets, Warriors and Pistons…
Slim
January 4th, 2013
8:40 pm
I agree Melvin, ld gotta throw a zone in to help the bigs.
Johnny
January 4th, 2013
8:43 pm
Austin daye with his game of life.
Is this the worst half the Hawks have played this season so far?! Probably yes.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 4th, 2013
8:43 pm
There may be some truth in saying that they struggle against good perimeter teams, but they almost always play competitively against OKC and Miami who have the best perimeter players in the league. And it’s not like the Pistons’ perimeter players are all that great anyway.
Big Ray
January 4th, 2013
8:45 pm
I guess this is going as expected.
Horford can’t stop Monroe (apparently), as I thought might be the case.
Josh isn’t stopping anybody either.
Pistons are wearing us out in the paint.
Seems the only Hawk interested in rebounding is Al Horford with 10 at the half. Next closest guy is Lou Williams with three…that’s plenty for him…
Josh is getting his points. Give him kudos for that, but the efficiency isn’t there. It’s not like he’s hot , he’s just taking more shots than anybody else. 14 shots to get 14 points, made just one of three free throws, goes 1-4 from three point land, 1 assist. Not efficient, just getting his.
Sorry, but that’s the honest truth.
Teague getting a handful of dimes…but nothing else. Lou doing slightly more.
Korver can’t buy a shot.
Not having Deshawn, Devin, and Morrow…is it supposed to hurt this bad? Or is it something else?
Big Ray
January 4th, 2013
8:47 pm
Playing down to the Pistons, even if they do match up against us well (really…do they?).
Barf….
High-sider
January 4th, 2013
8:48 pm
The Hawks’ backcourt is “wackcourt” tonight. Hawks’ backcourt shot 3 for 17 from the field in the first half.
K. Korver: 0 – 5; 0pts
J. Teague: 1 – 6; 2pts
L. Williams: 2 – 5; 5pts
J. Jenkins: 0 – 1; 0pts
http://www.nba.com/games/20130104/ATLDET/gameinfo.html?ls=iref:nbahpgt0021200482
W.R. Terrell
January 4th, 2013
8:48 pm
This is a taste of reality
Slim
January 4th, 2013
8:48 pm
It’s the size that’s hurting us.
NUNNA!!
January 4th, 2013
8:49 pm
Petro lol..Najeh,I do agree with the BIG lineup and the zone defense..As well as pressing defense on inbounds plays..We need to shake things up.
Anyone with any guesses on who the 3 other hawks coaches who’ve won the Coach of The Month honors??
I say Drew,Fratello,Hubie,and Lenny..Or,Woody..Naw not woody
Sameba
January 4th, 2013
8:50 pm
If you play a small lineup, you have to be faster, your perimeter play should be prevailing. If this does not happen, then what is the solution? Go with a bigger lineup and match them in the paint? I hope this is not a higher algebra for LD, or is it??
Big Ray
January 4th, 2013
8:50 pm
Four fouls on Josh.
Here we go….
NUNNA!!
January 4th, 2013
8:50 pm
4 on Smoove..We need him
Big Ray
January 4th, 2013
8:51 pm
What was up with that “Smoove”?
NUNNA!!
January 4th, 2013
8:51 pm
My cuz is over here saying that the rim the hawks shot at in the 1st half is off..And that Detroit will have issues on that end as well lol..
Melvin
January 4th, 2013
8:52 pm
The Hawks look like they DON’T want it tonight.
Big Ray
January 4th, 2013
8:53 pm
Nice shot by Lou.
Teague acts like he doesn’t want to play.
J.J.M.
January 4th, 2013
8:53 pm
Pistons getting in the paint with ease
Melvin
January 4th, 2013
8:55 pm
Is AL playing anything defense?
Najeh Davenpoop
January 4th, 2013
8:56 pm
A couple of shots have gone in but there is still zero defensive energy. They are a step late on every defensive possession and they especially can’t afford that with Josh having 4 fouls.
NUNNA!!
January 4th, 2013
8:56 pm
Teague almost dribbled that ball back over the line..
Detroit is gonna go inside on us mostly in the beginning of the 3rd..They are gonna do what we should be doing or should have did..
With Smoove in foul trouble,we won’t have any solid defender outside of AL..
Unless we bring in PETRO
Slimjr
January 4th, 2013
8:56 pm
Monroe switching to beast mode..
Al cant stop the big guy..
J.J.M.
January 4th, 2013
8:58 pm
Lol teague can’t score and can’t keep guards in front of him
keith
January 4th, 2013
8:58 pm
WEAK MOVE by Al…
Slimjr
January 4th, 2013
8:58 pm
Layup city
Najeh Davenpoop
January 4th, 2013
8:58 pm
Teague is 7 for his last 33 from the field.
Slimjr
January 4th, 2013
8:59 pm
#15=layup city
keith
January 4th, 2013
8:59 pm
We need to get this lead down to 10 by the 4th qarter…Teague 2-9???lol
Big Ray
January 4th, 2013
9:00 pm
Nice shot, but gonna need more than that.
keith
January 4th, 2013
9:00 pm
WAY TO GO LOU WILLL……
Slimjr
January 4th, 2013
9:00 pm
dribble penetration is their undoing
Melvin
January 4th, 2013
9:01 pm
Hawks got a few jumpers to finally fall but they still need to attack the basket. Don’t fall in love with the jumpshot…
Big Ray
January 4th, 2013
9:02 pm
Watching Knight beat Teague off the dribble on nearly every possession.
Watching our defenders fading away from the rim as it happens.
I say again…barffff….
Slimjr
January 4th, 2013
9:02 pm
JT these bigs cat help you..
NUNNA!!
January 4th, 2013
9:02 pm
When Teague is really on,so goes the hawks..
I don’t know what these fellas did over the past 24 hours..
Detroit is taking it to the basket..I bet the removal of Smoove was a tactic they discussed at the half in the locker room..
Drive,Drive,Drive…Slow the game down..And Atlanta will fold..
keith
January 4th, 2013
9:02 pm
WE NEED ANOTHER BIG..LIKE YESTERDAY….
Slimjr
January 4th, 2013
9:03 pm
?where is 15?
keith
January 4th, 2013
9:05 pm
We need to start Lou Will at the point going forward….Bring Teague off the bench….
Slimjr
January 4th, 2013
9:05 pm
Al just got tagged for only his 2nd foul? Hmmmmm
Najeh Davenpoop
January 4th, 2013
9:06 pm
This has not been the finest day for this refereeing crew.
Slimjr
January 4th, 2013
9:06 pm
Horford getting dismantled in the post
keith
January 4th, 2013
9:06 pm
Bring Zaza in the game now Larry….We need another shot blocker now!!!
Slimjr
January 4th, 2013
9:06 pm
20 for J-smoooove
J.J.M.
January 4th, 2013
9:07 pm
Smh hawks score but getting no stops on the other end
Slimjr
January 4th, 2013
9:08 pm
Monroe just too big, too strong, and too quick for Allstar Al..