Atlanta Hawks: Celtics 89, Hawks 81 (updated)
The Hawks got off to a fast start, but fell apart and lost to the Celtics on Saturday night, 89-81. Josh Smith finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds. The AJC’s Chris Vivlamore reports.
Vivlamore reporting.
The Hawks had a chance.
They could have served notice to the nemesis Celtics that they are that team anymore. The team the Celtics have owned in recent years.
However, the Hawks let a 19-point second-quarter lead evaporate – in less than 12 minutes – in a 89-81 loss to the Celtics Saturday night at Philips Arena.
The Celtics got physical with the Hawks and they did not respond – a fact that had coach Larry Drew ‘concerned’ following the game.
“This is a very, very disappointing loss,” Drew said. “Probably, for me, the most disappointing loss of the season for the mere fact of playing against a team we have battled in the past and we’ve seen this type of scenario before where we have played well and then when it starts to get a little bit physical, when they start playing a little bit rougher, when they start make things a little more difficult for us, we don’t respond. That was clearly what happened tonight.
“I’m concerned because this is the NBA and you have to expect that. When you play against teams that do smack you, you have to respond. It’s just the way it is. Everybody has to do it. Every team in this league has to do it. When you don’t’ do it you get labeled. You get a tag on you. That’s the last thing I want to happen to my ball club.”
The Hawks lost six of nine game games against the Celtics last season, including a first-round playoff defeat (4-2). The only regular-season game the Hawks won came when the Celtics played without Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen. The Celtics also won the memorable seven-game playoff series in 2008 when much of the history between the teams began.
The Celtics entered the third quarter trailing by 15 points. They came out of the period leading by nine points, 71-62. They used a 33-9 third quarter run to erase the deficit as the Hawks shot a meager 14.3 percent (2 of 9) coming out of halftime.
“You can’t compound things,” Drew said. “You can’t keep turning the ball over. You can’t have bad shot selection. You can’t have defensive breakdowns. That just adds more and more problems to the equation. And then you sense the body language. And I sensed it, honestly, at the end of the second quarter because they were playing us a little bit physical. I’m sure they went into halftime and said ‘Guys, all we have to do is keep climbing, keep pushing up in them, and we’ll get back in the game.’ That’s exactly what happened.”
The Hawks (20-12) have lost two straight and three of their past four games. After managing to cut their deficit to five points, 79-74, in the fourth quarter the Celtics scored six straight points to regain a comfortable margin.
Lou Williams led the Hawks with a season-high 28 points, 21 coming in the first half. Jeff Teague added 17 points and Josh Smith had 12 points and 10 rebounds.
“Defensively, I think they did a great job of making it tough for us to catch,” Williams said. “They were pressuring everything. They made it tough for Jeff to get us into plays. They made it tough for us on our in-bounds plays. That’s been their makeup for a number of years. They’ve always been known as a defensive team and tonight we got the worst of it.”
The Celtics (16-17) have won two straight after a four-game losing skid.
Rondo had his 25th career triple-double with 14 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds. Pierce had 26 points and Garnett added 14 points.
Rondo escaped a possible ejection and fine when he made contact with official Rodney Mott while arguing a called for a charge with 3:19 remaining in the third quarter.
The Hawks led by as many as 13 points in the first quarter and 19 points in the second quarter. They took a 53-38 lead into halftime.
Williams’ 21 first-half points tied the team record for most points in a half this season. Smith also had 21 in a Dec. 26 game against the Pistons. Williams scored 17 of the Hawks’ first 23 points, all in the opening quarter, as the team shot 60 percent (12 of 20) from the field. They ended the half shooting 52.5 percent, including 7 of 15 3-point attempts.
The big lead was for naught – gone in minutes. The Hawks are left licking their wounds it what could have been a statement game.
Drew canceled a planned day off Sunday and called a team practice.
“I don’t really get it how an opponent can get (us) out of the game for 48 minutes,” Zaza Pachulia said. “I don’t know what else to tell you. It’s all about us. We should all look in the mirror, all of us, the whole team.”
- Chris Vivlamore
LATEST NEWS
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* Williams to remain in starting lineup
* 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
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192 comments Add your comment
uga-brave
January 6th, 2013
12:15 am
keep shooting josh.
High-sider
January 6th, 2013
12:16 am
Hawks need to watch the Clippers to see how to put a team away after gaining a big lead in the first half.
http://www.nba.com/games/20130105/GSWLAC/gameinfo.html?ls=iref:nbahpgt0021200498
uga-brave
January 6th, 2013
12:20 am
what that jackarse countunues to shoot.
Nate ArchiBALL
January 6th, 2013
12:21 am
Tales of two halves…..
Al played 19:53 minutes in the first half and was 2 of 6 from the field for 4 points. Al played 20 plus minutes in the second half and was 0 for 2 from the field and 2 of 2 from the FT line for 2 points
Lou played 20 minutes in the first half and was 8 of 9 from the field and 1 of 2 from the FT line for 21 points
Lou played 20 minutes in the second half and was 1 of 3 from the field and 4 of 4 from the FT line for 7 points
Jeff played 20 minutes in the first half and shot 6 of 11 from the field with 0 FT’s for 13 points
Jeff played 20 minutes in the second half and shot 1 of 3 from the field and 2 of 2 from the FT line for 4 points
Question – did they pass up shots or was the Celts defense that good?
uga-brave
January 6th, 2013
12:29 am
4-18 keep shooting josh.
Grandad
January 6th, 2013
12:32 am
That was the most total mish mash of an assinine (sp) squid on ice
garbage dump fire with rats chasin` cats chasin` dawgs runnin rabbits
while some come a runnin` and some run a comin` unglued at the seams
of anarchy unleashed amid the chaos of a fire drill amidst a horde 0` nekkid
fat girls wearin` high heels on egg shells fightin` over a hawg trough full 0f
pork & beans.
Rusty
January 6th, 2013
12:41 am
Josh actually believes he is a shooter & Larry encourages him.
O'Brien
January 6th, 2013
12:48 am
I am no basketball expert, but (imo) the Hawks 3 biggest problems are (in no particular order);
1) We need a SF who can defend. How many games have we struggled trying to guard an opposing wing? Korver, Stevenson (who can’t play back to back games and is undersized for a SF, and Morrow cannot get it done defensively).
2) We are too dependent on 3 point shooting. 10-29 from 3 today (35%, but missed 19 of them – which is exactly what we shot against the Pistons last night). When we make 3’s, we win. When we don’t, we lose, especially since we still shoot a lot of 3’s regardless of whether we are making it or not.
3) Rebounding. Celtics are 30th in the league in rebounding, but yet they were +12 tonight. Josh and Al are inconsistent on the glass, and except for Zaza (and Ivan when he gets minutes), noone else rebounds.
uga-brave
January 6th, 2013
12:55 am
josh is a shooter. just ask him.
Sameba
January 6th, 2013
12:58 am
Grandad
January 6th, 2013
12:32 am
That was the most total mish mash of an assinine (sp) squid on ice
garbage dump fire with rats chasin` cats chasin` dawgs runnin rabbits
while some come a runnin` and some run a comin` unglued at the seams
of anarchy unleashed…
———————————————————————————————–
And when this thing usually happens? Right, when there is NO coaching, as well as no leadership on the floor (in smaller part). Am I right??
O'Brien
January 6th, 2013
12:59 am
Buddy,
Your article was a good read. But I am not giving up a 1st round pick for D-Will2. He is a tweener forward, and I don’t want any tweeners. We need a legit SF.
Slim,
28 and 11 for Cousins tonight. Dude is balling, and has been doing better keeping his head in the game. In his last 10 games, he is averaging 17 and 12.
Ken S,
What do you think of the trade I proposed yesterday? Al and a first round pick for Tyreke Evans (whose $5+ mil contract is expiring), Travis Outlaw (2 years, $6 mil remaining after this year), and Cousins (22 years old, cheap, and has potential to be a top 5 center?
O'Brien
January 6th, 2013
1:01 am
And LD can say what we wants, but this Hawks team is soft (except for Ivan, Zaza and Stevenson) imo. Maybe LD needs to show them the tape of the game Sir Charles called last year
O'Brien
January 6th, 2013
1:07 am
And as Najeh mentioned, since Lou was inserted into the starting lineup, there is a negative trend. Our bench scoring has been inconsistent (and downright terrible at times).
I think LD needs to move him back to the bench. I also think that will help Teague’s game
bbfan
January 6th, 2013
1:24 am
Yall can whine, moan, fire LD all you want……I predicted the Hawks would struggle to win 30 games this year, hell !! I’m playing with house money
Grandad
January 6th, 2013
1:35 am
Sameba
You are correct sir.
No leadership on the floor:
going backwards;
whomever the team leader is suppoed to be = no one.
pg = ain`t got one
HC = dandy asst coach, sittin` in the 1st chair
Danny Ferry = The Right Man ! [in my humble opinion]
-&-
He`ll get it right … in due time.
_____________________________________________
Tonight shows us all – we are closer to a disaster
-than-
to a Championship.
Tonite was not a mirage – I fear that [was / is] who we really are !
____________________________________________
We have some guys who are capable of playing
-Championship Basketball-
as pieces of the bigger puzzle.
Then we have others who may or may not be an all-star
but are not cut from Championship timber.
There is a difference in an all-star and a Champion.
_____________________________________________
How dare Dwight call out Kobe ?
Even if he`s right he hasn`t earned the right.
Grandad
January 6th, 2013
1:40 am
I really like Jeff teague – the person.
I, however, do not think JTeague will ever be a Championship pg.
A nice player and a good kid with some skills. period.
And then – ther`s Josh ?
W.R. Terrell
January 6th, 2013
1:57 am
The truth is the light and we got blinded tonight. I would ask that folks give Al a break, he’s a PF playing against longer, stronger and taller bigs on a nightly basis and fairs decently. Marvin Williams game was ruined because he yielded to ISO Joe and Launch pad Josh and JT’s game is suffering from yielding to Josh. DF is smart and the HAWKS have monies and draft picks, next year will be better but forget the playoffs for this year. I think we will wind up in the lotto. Josh will be leaving and the end to dead weight will be finalized. There is no reason for DF to make a sudden move. Patience folks and please forget the head case D. Cousins, the HAWKS do not need that kind of distraction. Dwight Howard will be in Atlanta because the HAWKS have the funds and a solid nucleus of players and enough monies to add a few extra talented pieces. We will not make the playoffs and that’s a good thing, I see lotto pick in the horizon. Josh and LD will be gone soon and that will be the end of dead weight.
Sr
January 6th, 2013
2:02 am
Enter your comments here
Sr
January 6th, 2013
2:06 am
Oh come on, the Hawks???!! Do they even field a team anymore?? The same ol cupcakes who have always been cupcakes and still are. Can’t board, can’t shoot and can’t beat anybody of consequence. As irrelevant as ever and still don’t even have a real coach. Who would spend real money to watch this boring group???
DawgNole
January 6th, 2013
2:16 am
Vivlamore: “They could have served notice to the nemesis Celtics that they are that team anymore. The team the Celtics have owned in recent years.”
“. . . that they ARE that team anymore”??? What?!
C’mon, CV, you can do better.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
January 6th, 2013
3:13 am
*Yawn*
You can’t expect energy when your playing folks 40 minutes a game.
Johnny
January 6th, 2013
5:04 am
When we lost Kyle, we lost this game. Absolutly no off ball movement without him. Poor shot selection.
Btw. How about a solid SF?! Tired of seeing our guards trying to defend opposite strong SF.
vava74
January 6th, 2013
5:23 am
Didn’t watch the game, but the wheels on LD’s little go-kart are coming off, as I had mentioned a few weeks ago, just when this 6 win – 6 losses period started.
LD has ZERO ability to plan and adjust match ups.
The other night, in HOU, when we got within 5 and HOU brought in the starters, he kept the reserves and the game went out of hand again.
He is under-utilizing Zaza and Ivan in games where we NEED TO GO BIG.
Zaza loves playing Garnett and LD pulls his rug and plays him 12 minutes, an amount which typically can’t get him going.
On Ivan, I simply do not have to say nothing. It’s there to any blind man to see.
Rookie of the month in April 2012, starting and going against All-Star players AND getting it done.
Don’t question LD’s X’s and O’s and the ability to use them out of time outs but he is consistently and easily out coached during games.
Ken Norman
January 6th, 2013
6:02 am
I’m sick of people making excuses for Al Horford, about how he gives up size every night. Al Horford is listed as 6′10 250 pounds. I don’t here Golden State fans saying that about David Lee who is listed as 6′9 240. Alonzo Mourning was listed as 6′10 260 and I never heard him complaining about playing in the post against bigger and better centers. It’s all about playing with a mentality that you can get it done in the post, and Al and Josh don’t have that mentality.
Ken Norman
January 6th, 2013
6:03 am
Correction hear
Brian
January 6th, 2013
6:44 am
Josh Smith has taken 70 more shots than anyone else on the roster…really…that’s our offensive strategy to literally run the offense through JS…he also shares the lead in turnovers with his boy protege Teague…make no mistake this is not Larry Drew’s team…it’s Josh Smith’s team…just observe the flow of the game…it runs through Josh “freakin’ moody I’ll play when I feel like it” Smith!!!
CamiloAtlanta
January 6th, 2013
7:38 am
This Hawks team stinks recently. It’s true, that we’re too small and a lot of people said we’d start to break down as the season wears on. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Hawks sank to below .500 and out of the playoffs. Might be a good thing to get to the lottery and rebuild rather than try to compete this year.
Just Joe
January 6th, 2013
7:42 am
Didn’t watch the game, but it appears that the Celtics completely dictated the pace of the game. Hawks got off 68 FGA’s compared to a season avg of 81 shots a game (and right on their avg of 19 free throws per game). Hawks only had 14 fast break points. Hawks had 18 turnovers compared to 18 assists. The 16 offensive rebounds to Boston is a complete embarrassment.
This kind of offensive output is what worries me about LD’s offense in the playoffs. When teams pick up their defense, maybe calls don’t go our way, or whatever, this offense has a tendency to slow down. Guys don’t set their picks as clean. Guys don’t cut to the basket as hard or as often. All you get is the ball passed around the perimeter until someone takes a long jumper or turns the ball over (which is more likely with more touches).
I think this team is missing 3 pieces: a coach with different offensive/defensive philosophies, a low post player to dump the ball in to 20 times per game, and a leader at the PG position that can execute the game plan. LD, Teague, and one of Al/Josh needs to go IMO for us to take the next step.
steve brown
January 6th, 2013
7:58 am
Where did the Josh Smith fan club go? Where are the excuses you make for the man child? As I predicted and feared his trade value will continue to decline with each game. My greater fear is signing Josh to a long term deal for big money and have to watch this garbage for 4 or 5 more years.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
January 6th, 2013
8:25 am
Nique said in first half that we are no longer scared of the Celtics.
SMGMFHFFSROTFLMAOLOL
W.R. Terrell
January 6th, 2013
8:27 am
DF will not resign the “Smoove” he has good common sense. Your fear of his trade value is probably correct. Al the man-child will get better when the “Smoove” is gone, fans who dislike him now will love him next year. No one is making excuses for Al but double/doubles on a fairly consistent basis is pretty damn good along with point production at a decent percentage. A good coach will enhance Al’s game.
ignition
January 6th, 2013
8:32 am
I’ve never been more EMBARRASSED & ANGRY as an Atlanta sports fan at our own fanbase. What happened in Phillips Arena is a Shame and Disgusting. Completely Embarrassed !!!!!
Your own stadium sounds like a road game Disgusting..
Slimjr
January 6th, 2013
8:41 am
“Tonight shows us all – we are closer to a disaster
-than-
to a Championship.
Tonite was not a mirage – I fear that [was / is] who we really are !” Gdad
So true Grandad.. Al,Josh, and Teague are decent players. Closers not even close..
“This kind of offensive output is what worries me about LD’s offense in the playoffs. When teams pick up their defense, maybe calls don’t go our way, or whatever, this offense has a tendency to slow down. Guys don’t set their picks as clean. Guys don’t cut to the basket as hard or as often. All you get is the ball passed around the perimeter until someone takes a long jumper or turns the ball over (which is more likely with more touches).” JustJoe
JustJoe, I’m calling out the these Lazy Bigs who are overrated..That was a playoff type of game last night and our Bigs were carried by the guards in the 1st half. 2nd half it was time for the Bigs to step up and carry the team and on que they failed miserably..
The reason why they failed is for lack of championship caliber skills..These overrated Bigs have no post game to go to in the crunch..They are essentially useless if their jumpers aren’t falling..
For the fans to call them out for being intimidated by the opposition is beyond embarrassing to this organization..Danny, last night your franchise showed why they cant fill up Phillips Arena on a nightly basis.. Your team is nothing but a pretender…Not going to waste money to watch that garbage you put on the floor!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keep scratching your head why you cant pack the house..Your lousy Bigs will make sure it stays that way…
OB, your trade proposal: Al Horford for DeMarcus Cousins looks better and better everyday..
O'brien
January 6th, 2013
8:44 am
big Ray in and out with some heavy hits.
G’dad,
I don’t remember who said it some time ago (AJ maybe), but Teague may be suited for the role of scoring PG off the bench. That way, he doesn’t have to be a leader (the starting PG will be), and should be able to run the second unit, while getting his shots off (going up against bench players). He doesn’t seem to have the personality needed to effectively lead/run a team of veteran starters.
He is still young though, so there is time to turn him around.
Slimjr
January 6th, 2013
8:45 am
Josh[improved shot],DeMarcus Cousins,D12= Championship caliber run for the next several years..
They would obliterate the Knicks and Miami..
LET-THE-NERDS-H8
January 6th, 2013
8:52 am
i dont want to hear about Al not being tall enough at 6′10 or whatever his height is.. How tall was Barkley how tall was Ben Wallace???? f*ch it Rondo had 11 rebounds… its about hustle and balls!!!! height just makes it easier sometimes!!! Al doesnt have balls
Jody
January 6th, 2013
8:59 am
After 9 years, Josh’s shot is not going to improve and he and Cousins together are not a championship caliber front court.
Slimjr
January 6th, 2013
9:07 am
With LD its obvious that Josh and Demarcus would not be championship caliber players..
Bring in a Brian Shaw and that triangle offense? Now your talking….
Mookie Blaylock
January 6th, 2013
10:04 am
Missed the game…looks like what I ALWAYS say held true again. Al and Josh exposed for the frauds they are.
Positive Thinker
January 6th, 2013
10:14 am
I’m obviously not the only one wondering why adjustments were not made by the time Korver had his 4th foul…..Korver worked his butt off trying to contain Pierce but being Pierce…he knows how to draw the fouls….the lack of rotating defense took Korver out of the game …..another glaring observation…..Lou starting keeps Teague from being aggressive and Korver never gets his shots off cus Lou does all the shooting….seems smarter to get the others going first then bring Lou in to spark the offense later in the lst quarter or 2nd quarter.
Ken Strickland
January 6th, 2013
10:33 am
Teams are starting to take advantage of our lack of rebounding and our issues at SF. Drew gave Boston an even bigger advantage by refusing to play one of our best rebounders, defenders, and physical players, IJohnson, more than token mins.
kojak
January 6th, 2013
10:39 am
Trade Josh Now.
I did not see game but let me guess—Josh loafs down court, Josh hangs out on perimeter, Josh jacks up a 3, Josh does well in post but never goes back, Josh whines to official because HE sucks
"E" from Riverdale
January 6th, 2013
11:02 am
Higher-slider you are so right I hate t admit it but the Hwaksmight be better off without Josh Smith. Josh seems to get further and further away from the game of basketball each season instead of getting better. The bad part is the head coach allows him to keep doing the same dumb A$$ thing and that is keeping shooting 3 ponters and jump shots. Al is starting to trend towards that too. The Hawks are never in the bonus because they never attack the opposing teas bigs in the paint. This team has zero low post presence and other head coaches in the league have started to use this against the Hawks with no correction from Drew.
The Hawks either have a lead and then Josh will throw up 3 to five bad shots back to back and Drew ets him stay in the game and continue this stupidity. But in the mean time the oppossing team is either building a lead or cutting in to the Hwaks lead.
prison mike
January 6th, 2013
11:08 am
That was a rough 2nd half. I had to take the Celts +5 this game…
They were full strength and we are not. We need to make a moderate sized trade involving Korver or Morrow for more rebounding and/or defense. We get healthy and make a smart trade and we beat these dudes in the playoffs. I hated the Pierce – Korver, we lose this matchup by wide margins every time.
Rusty
January 6th, 2013
11:11 am
JT wii never play up to his capability under LD. This team will fail with his scheme of play & with his erratic substitution employments.
kwooden
January 6th, 2013
11:23 am
What I say in this game is the same things that we’ve talked about all season, we’re a team that can’t get stops when we need to and we depend on the 3 to win games! Hopefully this is a wake-up call to LD, Josh and Al. LD needs to find a better defensive 5 man group in his rotation, that he can use when we need to get stops. Josh and Al need to attack the basketball and MAKE their FREE-THROWS! We have enough shooters to win against anybody if we’re shooting around 40%, but once we go below that we’re in trouble because we can’t really stop anybody. (I don’t care what the #s say!) I think it is good though, that LD is calling out the guys because they can up weak last night. It might help them attack the basket more and concentrate more at the line. But its not going to make up for their defensive weakness at SF, even though Korver is playing better defensive than I thought he could.
GO HAWKS!!
keith
January 6th, 2013
11:30 am
Monumental Massive Meltdown in the “Highlight Factory”
After watching the “Meltdown” from start to finish last night, I am more convince now than ever, we have to go in a different direction. The nice guy approach is fine, HOWEVER, you have to have leaders on your Basketball team who are not “Afraid” of the moment…
Combined, we have $25 million dollars tied up in Josh Smith and Al Horford. If I am the Ownership Group, I know that I should be getting more form my investment, more from my players, and more from my organization…
Problem Solving 101 fellow Bloggers.. (1)You define the Problem (2) You analyze the problem (3) You select possible Solutions (4) You choose the Best Solution.
Moving Forward, after watching this same act from our “leadership”, I have to painfully admit that the time has come for a (1) New Head Coach (2) New Starting Center (3) New Starting Power Forward.
Finally, i am more in favor of bringing in youth via the draft and free agency..No more quick fixes with “Over the hill” veterans. SEE THE OKC Thunder Template to success!!! GO HAWKS!!!
Atlhawksfan
January 6th, 2013
11:44 am
I have been reading a lot of the posts here and many of you guys have very valid points. I have been to every home game this season and I have never heard the philipsnarena get so load this season, only problem is the cheers were for the Celtics. This game was like a road game for the hawks!!! The whole arena was full of celtics fans wearing green chanting lets go celtics. True the hawks didn’t play with energy were soft etc. but where are the fans? Where is home field advantage? We also as fans got b**ch slapped by the celtics fans.
2 FOR JOHN DREW
January 6th, 2013
11:57 am
Grandad
January 6th, 2013
12:32 am
That was the most total mish mash of an assinine (sp) squid on ice
garbage dump fire with rats chasin` cats chasin` dawgs runnin rabbits
while some come a runnin` and some run a comin` unglued at the seams
of anarchy unleashed amid the chaos of a fire drill amidst a horde 0` nekkid
fat girls wearin` high heels on egg shells fightin` over a hawg trough full 0f
pork & beans ———————————————————————————————————————————————–Stay tuned for the next ….. ” GRANDAD’S GONE WILD ” ….. lol
cp
January 6th, 2013
12:01 pm
Where are all these championship quality pg’s that you guys keep bringing up? Out of all the elite pg’s, none are available, wont come here if they were, or havent even won a championship themselves. Out of all the elite pg’s Rondo might be the only one with a ring. Somebody please correct me if I am wrong on Rondo being the only elite pg with a ring so far. Our bigs wet the bed last night yet we are talking about trading or moving the starting pg to the bench. Pg is the least of the Hawks worries.
This team has no balance just like it hasn’t in the past 5 years plus. We dont have a sf, a coach who continues to let certain players do whatever they want to do on the court, a coach who still cant find ways to give Zaza and Ivan consistent minutes even when its clear we need their toughness and rebounding. You cats can keep bringing up all these ‘championship quality pg” that wont be available while others can see more pressing issues.