Archive for January, 2013

Vivlamore reporting from New Orleans.

They Hawks were tired as they started their fourth game in five days. Coach Larry Drew admitted to such before Tuesday’s game against the Hornets.

They didn’t wake up until the second half. After sleep-walking through the first 24 minutes, with many defensive lapses, the Hawks erased an early double-digit deficit en route to a 95-86 victory over the Hornets Tuesday at the New Orleans Arena.

The Hawks outscored the Hornets 28-14 in the third quarter to turn around a six-point deficit. They led 72-64 going into the final quarter thanks to a 15-2 run early in the third that changed the momentum. Josh Smith had 10 points in the period to cap an impressive statistical effort of 23 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, four blocks and three steals. With his 12th board, he reached the 5,000 rebound career milestone.

“We had a letdown in the first two quarters and I wanted to come out with the energy and effort,” Smith said. “It so …

Continue reading Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 95, Hornets 86 (updated) »

Vivlamore reporting from New Orleans.

Hawks coach Larry Drew expressed concern with his team’s tendency to settle for 3-point attempts in transition Tuesday.

The good news: The Hawks set a franchise record in Monday’s loss to the Rockets with their fourth straight game of at least 10 3-pointers.

The bad news: Some of the 3-point attempts are coming on the run when Drew would like to see the action move to the front of the rim.

“In transition, we have to run for layups,” Drew said before the Hawks played at the Hornets. “We can’t just run to the 3-point line. We’ve gotten in trouble a little bit with that in the past where we do have an advantage in transition and we run straight to the 3-point line and not really attacking the basket.”

Drew said that was an issue Monday against the Rockets. The Hawks had 23 3-point attempts, making 12.

“We are still trying to find a consistency in that area. We show them tape. We talk about it. We always gravitate to that …

Continue reading Game thread: Drew concerned Hawks settling for 3-pointers in transition »