Game thread: Hawks shake it up with bigger lineup (updated)
Vivlamore reporting from Cleveland.
The Hawks will start a bigger lineup tonight versus the Cavaliers – in part because of matchups and in part to shake up a struggling team that has lost three straight and four of five games.
The Hawks will start Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, Josh Smith, Al Horford and Zaza Pachulia.
“We want to shake it up a little bit and see if it will jump start us,” coach Larry Drew said.
Drew said the biggest reason was the matchup at shooting guard. The Cavaliers are starting 6-foot-6, 222-pound C.J. Miles at the 2-guard and he is too big for one of the smaller Hawks guards like Lou Williams or Devin Harris.
(UPDATE: C.J. Miles (back strain) and Daniel Gibson (concussion) are out.)
* Harris has been medically cleared to play and you can expect to see him get limited minutes after he has missed the past 11 game with a sore left foot.
* Anthony Morrow will miss his seventh straight game. He missed five games with a right hip strain and now two games with a stiff back.
* DeShawn Stevenson is doubtful after he played 5:17 in Tuesday’s loss to the Timberwolves. Stevenson has not scored in 2013 in limited action as the team continues to be careful with his aging knees.
“He is good,” Drew said. “We said it from the very beginning that it’s going to be important that we try to keep him healthy. We don’t want to put too much wear and tear on his knees. We’ll see how he is doing the first night of a back-to-back and if we get medical clearance from the doctors that we can play him a little bit the first night and a little bit the second night we’ll do that. But we’ll wait until we get clearance from the doctors.”
* Ivan Johnson continues to be used sparingly this season. He has played a total of 28 minutes the past five games, including a DNP in the loss to the T’Wolves.
I asked Drew what it would take for Johnson to get more playing time, especially when at times this season the coach has said the Hawks have lacked a physical presence.
“I’m always looking at matchups,” Drew said. “I’m looking at the rhythm of the game. I’m looking at who I feel that can probably serve us best in a certain position. Certainly (Johnson) brings a physicality to the lineup and in this situation he just has to stay ready. He has to stay ready that if his number is called he’s ready to respond.”
* I asked Drew how the team responded to his comments following Tuesday’s loss that the team played “soft” in the first half against the T’Wolves.
“We had a breakfast meeting today and watch some clips from last night’s game,” Drew said. “Hopefully it will sink in. After they’ve seen the clips that I pulled, I think they were in agreement that we just came out way too soft, way too tentative, low energy. Everybody was in total agreement. There was a clear contrast between the first half and the second half. You can’t spot teams like that on the road. You have to exert too much energy to get back into it. We did not get off to a good start. That second half we played with more energy, more sense of urgency. Hopefully we’ll get off to a good start.”
* Josh Smith will be an on-set guest of NBA TV’s NBA Game Time Thursday night at 7 p.m. Smith will join host Vince Cellini and analysts Dennis Scott and Michael Redd.
* The Cavaliers lost the NBA’s leading rebounder Anderson Varejao for 6-8 weeks after the center underwent knee surgery Wednesday.
- Chris Vivlamore
LATEST NEWS
* Morrow out vs. T’Wolves with back stiffness
* Stevenson weighs in on back-to-backs situation
* Stevenson needs medical clearance to play back-t0-back
* Hawks wary of Pistons’ bench
* 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
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381 comments Add your comment
cp
January 9th, 2013
8:03 pm
Othello Hunter> Mike Scott
Big Ray
January 9th, 2013
8:03 pm
Rod ,
I’ve been seeing the so-called light. I was just hoping Al would get back to being what he was his first 2-3 years in the League. I mean, I remember dude blocking KG’s shot on the post. I remember him being fierce and going at the Celtics…at ANYBODY.
But just like Jeff Teague’s “dog”…it’s disappeared. And I’m done looking for it to come back. Out of patience.
I always knew he wasn’t a shot-blocker by trade, but he at least used to hustle like crazy and body-up on just about anybody. Now he doesn’t do that. Or he does it in spots.
I’m just tired of it. Get the F going. We need more than what he’s bringing.
I feel like we drafted this beast of a PF/C hybrid that just became Drew Gooden.
Slimjr
January 9th, 2013
8:04 pm
b4
Section 212
January 9th, 2013
8:04 pm
Horford is approaching to be the worst weak-side defender in the league. He just seems to be frozen with his arms spread out doing nothing. Step in to stop the dribbler, put arms up, contest the shot or something!
Slimjr
January 9th, 2013
8:05 pm
J.J.M.
January 9th, 2013
7:55 pm
So al just going to stand watch people lay the ball up and dunk
The escort Service is Fully Operational tonight!
Have we not seen this b4?
Thompson is brutalizing Josh in the post…Impressive
Big Ray
January 9th, 2013
8:05 pm
Astro Joe ,
I typed my post a little late. It was a shot going into the timeout when the Cavs began a run. It was very clearly Horford on that one. Missed the rebound. Didn’t try to play defense.
And you know me…been defending Horford more than he’s been defending opponents.
Not anymore.
Melvin
January 9th, 2013
8:05 pm
I would like to see the Hawks go after Rudy G@y….
cp
January 9th, 2013
8:06 pm
Playing through our bigs as Nique said we need to do has surely worked so far
Mookie Blaylock
January 9th, 2013
8:06 pm
These dudes must played spades at the team meeting or somethin….obviously sh*t wasnt accomplished
High-sider
January 9th, 2013
8:06 pm
The Hawks couldn’t be “hitting the wall” this early? Damn!
Astro Joe
January 9th, 2013
8:06 pm
Ray, both Al and Josh are shooting well over their last 5 games. Josh abobe his season average and Al at 53%. Just sayin’.
cp
January 9th, 2013
8:07 pm
Big Ray I think its the play where the guy grabbed the board and had Korver on him but Al didnt attempt to come over and help. He just stood there and watched.
Slimjr
January 9th, 2013
8:07 pm
Approaching?????????????
Where have you been?
This is how he plays help defense[ Nada][Zilch][Zero] for years……
KevinM
January 9th, 2013
8:08 pm
Well I guess we found out who LD was calling soft last night pushing Lou to the bench.
Folks, face it, our backcourt is light in athleticism. We live and die by JT.
LD definitely keeps showing he has no feel for the right moves. I know he likes Korver as he is a vet, but if JJ can help us defensively.
The comments on this blog are fantastic and we have a great rep in C-Viv. I appreciate both sides on this blog.
C-Viv, the next question to LD….how can you keep Josh in the lane and get him off the perimeter? How many possessions does he give up per game? 5-10? Maybe its just me.
Grandmaster JeJe
January 9th, 2013
8:09 pm
We feasted on cupcake December, yet we are now losing to some weak teams
Ready for this damn season to be over so we can see Mr. Ferry sweep away all this garbage on the roster
JEFF TEAGUE???? HELLO???? YOU THERE????
Astro Joe
January 9th, 2013
8:09 pm
Ray, for whatever reason, he isn’t the rugged player he used to be, but his production and efficiency is still good. You don’t have to be a down hill runner to be a good running back.
cp
January 9th, 2013
8:10 pm
Looks like the blog monster is at play
cp
January 9th, 2013
8:11 pm
Teague needs to get aggressive. I understand trying to get guys the ball but its time for him to attack attack and attack
Carl
January 9th, 2013
8:11 pm
Hard to win with guys like Josh Smith who grew up with that street thug mentality in a dump like College Park. He’ll never change or listen to advice. What an ungrateful d-bag. He’d be in jail without basketball. You’d think he’d at least work on his craft.
Gorila
January 9th, 2013
8:11 pm
Big Ray,
I sadly cosign your 8:03pm.
Slimjr
January 9th, 2013
8:11 pm
Larry = Lost
Larry = Soft
A team is a reflection of their Coach….Hmmmmm
Najeh Davenpoop
January 9th, 2013
8:11 pm
Mike Glenn thinks the Hawks’ D is the problem? Cleveland is shooting 39% from 2 and cooled off from 3 a long time ago. The D has been fine. They just need to protect the ball and make the easy shots they have been missing.
Astro Joe
January 9th, 2013
8:12 pm
cp, Waiters drove down the lane, Al came over to defend him. Thompson grabbed the board and Korver was the one closest to him as he went up for the dunk. I guess Al could have fouled him, but he wasn’t close enough to do much more than commit am “and 1″ type of foul.
The DVR is a wonderful thing. Watched that play 3 times during halftime.
W.R.Terrell
January 9th, 2013
8:12 pm
Alonzo Gee is who the “Smoove” is guarding. The HAWKS are down 9 points to the Cavaliers. I can honestly tell you that if the “Smoove” continues to shoot from the outside and miss, have 3 more TO’s the HAWKS will lose by 20. Al will be a contributing factor in trying to bring the ball up court because that will result into 2-3 TO’s and LD will quietly sit on the bench in goofball status. LD absolutely has no clue. This is not good for moral if the HAWKS lose to the Cavaliers there could be a downward spiral of lost confidence and focus. Folks like blocked shots and highlight stuff, I like to see bigs box out, bang on the boards and put backs along with shots no farther then 3-5 feet from the basket. Gee will have a big game it’s in the making, all he has to do is run the floor. I really hope the HAWKS win but there’s a lot of ineptitude that could put the team in the loss column.
Slimjr
January 9th, 2013
8:13 pm
Soft Al for Cousins and picks yesterday..
Astro Joe
January 9th, 2013
8:13 pm
Ivan MUST play in the second half… I think the Hawks have tired legs. A lot of shots are falling short.
Mookie Blaylock
January 9th, 2013
8:14 pm
PG – Josh almost turned it over hangin on to the ball too long
Najeh Davenpoop
January 9th, 2013
8:15 pm
Nice drive by Teague to pick up the and 1.
High-sider
January 9th, 2013
8:15 pm
I didn’t think Josh was ever going to pass the ball to Teague.
Astro Joe
January 9th, 2013
8:15 pm
Get aggressive, Jeff. Wear your big boy pants in this half.
Big Ray
January 9th, 2013
8:15 pm
The bad thing is that when you get rid of Horford, you lose 9-10 rpg if you don’t get a PF or Center in return.
And LD is too stupid to play Ivan.
Man I can’t wait for the offseason….
vava74
January 9th, 2013
8:16 pm
AJ,
Last night Pekovic was murdering Al.
I know that Pekovic is big, but finished the first half with ZERO fouls.
That does not add up. It’s almost like Al has decided that he will strictly play “no body contact basketball”.
Diaper Al is in full swing.
Astro Joe
January 9th, 2013
8:16 pm
Nice rally.
cp
January 9th, 2013
8:16 pm
And there goes the Teague we have been looking for
Big Ray
January 9th, 2013
8:17 pm
Teague’s big boy pants are on for a second. Somebody give him a belt so they don’t fall off….
High-sider
January 9th, 2013
8:17 pm
Looks like Teague got the memo at half-time: BE AGGRESSIVE!
Sautee
January 9th, 2013
8:17 pm
Carl, I’m curious… does the hood get in the way when you blog?
Big Ray
January 9th, 2013
8:18 pm
Big Ray I think its the play where the guy grabbed the board and had Korver on him but Al didnt attempt to come over and help. He just stood there and watched.
That would be the one.
I want effort. I don’t see it.
Mookie Blaylock
January 9th, 2013
8:18 pm
Rather see Teague be more aggressive than watching Al and Josh toss up deep jump shot bricks
cp
January 9th, 2013
8:18 pm
Preciate that Astro. It looked like Al could have came over to help when I saw it in real time
W.R.Terrell
January 9th, 2013
8:18 pm
That was a nice run, glad to see it. Tie game, now lets see if the HAWKS can go forward with good defense, basic, competent B. Ball and focus on taking this game
Astro Joe
January 9th, 2013
8:18 pm
vava, I’m watching the Cavs game, not the T’wolves game. Last night, Teague scored 5 points. One game at a time.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 9th, 2013
8:19 pm
Korver is one away from his season high of 7 rebounds, at the SG position.
Mookie Blaylock
January 9th, 2013
8:19 pm
kicked it back to Josh…and not Korver?
Big Ray
January 9th, 2013
8:19 pm
AJ ,
His efficiency is definitely still there, as is the production.
Yet it disappears when it counts…or when a “tough guy” shows up. I guess that’s why they call them “averages”, huh….
High-sider
January 9th, 2013
8:19 pm
LD will probably “yank” Teague in the next minute or two.
Slimjr
January 9th, 2013
8:19 pm
Ivan is one of the lowest paid if not the lowest paid Hawk.Maybe that has something to do with Ivan’s playing time?
On 2nd thought, naw….
Slimjr
January 9th, 2013
8:20 pm
Josh do not shoot another 3 for the rest of the season pleeeeeeeease!
Bird/Josh
Najeh Davenpoop
January 9th, 2013
8:20 pm
Finally Ivan is in the game.
Mookie Blaylock
January 9th, 2013
8:20 pm
These jump shots by our supposed post players are gettin silly.