LIVE BLOG: Collins starts, but will Hawks show up?
If the Hawks lose tonight, it could be the last time you see this sign in Philips Arena.
First, a little perspective. Most folks didn’t believe the Hawks would defeat Orlando in the first round of the playoffs, but they took out the Magic in six games. Most certainly believed they had no chance in this series against Chicago, especially without point guard Kirk Hinrich.
But maybe the Hawks can start tonight with this: effort and intelligence. If they show those two things in Game 4 against the Bulls, they’ll be way ahead of what we saw in Game 3.
This team’s multiple personalities have been well-chronicled this season. Coach Larry Drew referred to it in an amusing way: “I will admit — I do have an interesting group.”
Joe Johnson needs to find ways to get open, coach Larry Drew said. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
This interesting group stunned Chicago in the series opener, tailed off in Game 2 and never really competed in Friday’s 99-82 loss at home. Derrick Rose scored 44 points. But the bigger reason for the Hawks’ loss was their collective team defense, lack of physical play and poor rebounding (the Bulls had a 47-34 advantage, including 18 offensive boards).
Drew will make one significant change, going with the “big” lineup: That means center Jason Collins comes in to guard Joakim Noah, Al Horford and Josh Smith each slide down a spot and Marvin Williams goes to the bench.
Collins, who was a key in the Orlando series against Dwight Howard, said: “I’ll just try to be physical and use my fouls. I won’t be so much in the low post – I’ll be more in pick-and-roll coverage.”
Drew said he just felt, “It’s time for a change. … Jason plays a physical game. He’s not looked at as a finesse player.”
Joe Johnson (34,16, 10) and Jamal Crawford (22, 11, 7) both have seen their point totals shrink in three games. That’s partly because of double teams. But Drew also referenced Johnson in particular, saying he needs to do more to get open. He told our hoops guy Michael Cunningham, “He is just going to have to combat that. There are a lot of key players on teams that other players play physical against and they just combat it. There are a lot of key players that get double teamed and they play out of double teams.”
Not sure, but I think Drew just said Johnson isn’t trying hard enough.
I also have to credit M.C. for handing me a few great stats on Smith: He is 0-for-17 from beyond 15 feet in this series, and 5-for-33 in the playoffs. Conversely, he is 38-of-63 (60 percent) from nine feet and in, where his strength is.
Win tonight and it’s an even series, 2-2. Lose and the Hawks may have played their final home game, with Game 5 in Chicago Tuesday.
And no, I’m not guessing. But you’re welcome to. I’ll be here blogging live at tip-off.
By Jeff Schultz
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359 comments Add your comment
Coach D
May 8th, 2011
10:22 pm
Hawks game to lose. Hope the “good Hawks” show up now.
Jay Dubu
May 8th, 2011
10:22 pm
This is Bul&^%$*!!!!!!
MAD-DONNA
May 8th, 2011
10:22 pm
We don’t get the flop, but they do!
Corch Myer
May 8th, 2011
10:23 pm
pfs bulls 19 hawks 18
Greg
May 8th, 2011
10:23 pm
Worst officiated playoff game I’ve ever seen. Could they make it any more obvious they want the bulls to this in 5
David
May 8th, 2011
10:23 pm
Who is Daniel Stern
Joshsmithfan2
May 8th, 2011
10:23 pm
Al is 6′ 10 1/2″ feet of sorry
Blahblahblah
May 8th, 2011
10:23 pm
Steve Kerr is wearing his Bulls Underoos tonight. Gibson blasts Smith and Kerr says it’s a flop. Then Josh gets called for an illegal screen where the Bulls flopped and Kerr says nothing. Laughable.
mike
May 8th, 2011
10:23 pm
NBA officiating sucks…Josh Smith gets body blocked and no call! What crap…
Coach D
May 8th, 2011
10:24 pm
Co-sign Mtn Hawk. Joe likes to hold onto his $120 mill. evidently…….
rob
May 8th, 2011
10:24 pm
Smith fouled on the put back. no call bs!
Al
May 8th, 2011
10:24 pm
I sure hope the hawks send in video to the league with this wretched officiating.
Corch Myer
May 8th, 2011
10:24 pm
19-18 bulls
Joshsmithfan2
May 8th, 2011
10:24 pm
ditto on the flop misadventure
joshsmithfan
May 8th, 2011
10:24 pm
This game is so bought its ridiculous! Josh smith is the only player on this team with heart. Zsa zsa too!
Duck
May 8th, 2011
10:25 pm
You know this series is fixed, right?
Coach D
May 8th, 2011
10:25 pm
Where are you Joe????? Hello, Joe!!!! TIme to wake up!
David
May 8th, 2011
10:25 pm
hawk orlando was fixed too
Al
May 8th, 2011
10:26 pm
Listened to the first qtr on radio. holman was going crazy with the officials. 15 free throws to 1 in the second qtr in favor of the bulls. surprised they called a foul right there
joshsmithfan
May 8th, 2011
10:26 pm
We beasting by our self number 2
G
May 8th, 2011
10:27 pm
Corch Myer… I don’t get your point on the numbers.
Blahblahblah
May 8th, 2011
10:27 pm
Corch Myer, do you have a point?
Joshsmithfan2
May 8th, 2011
10:27 pm
Josh going strong
Rick
May 8th, 2011
10:27 pm
They get every dang rebound.
Mtn Hawk
May 8th, 2011
10:27 pm
Where was the foul?
G
May 8th, 2011
10:27 pm
My gosh Horford you are getting worked!
Coach D
May 8th, 2011
10:27 pm
N.ational
B.usiness
A.ssociation
A lot of $ if there is an additional game or two. Refs have a lot of say in who wins/not. just sayin’….
Joshsmithfan2
May 8th, 2011
10:27 pm
Josh playing center and big 6 10 1/2 Al is on the wing
GBH
May 8th, 2011
10:28 pm
Noah looks like a retard with his hair in a knot.
Joshsmithfan2
May 8th, 2011
10:29 pm
nice pass teague. Als getting lots of garbage baskets
Ipo
May 8th, 2011
10:29 pm
Bulls are nothing without rose. Take out his knees
G
May 8th, 2011
10:29 pm
Just a side nit doesn’t Shane Victorino get a triple every time he plays against the Braves.
Blahblahblah
May 8th, 2011
10:29 pm
Derrick Rose shoots too much for the Bulls to win the title this year.
joshsmithfan
May 8th, 2011
10:29 pm
Why won’t sumone put rose on his ass already?
Jesh
May 8th, 2011
10:30 pm
SHOCKED THEY DIDNT CALL A CHARGE!! EVEN WITH HIM IN THE CIRCLE
jlewis
May 8th, 2011
10:30 pm
triple team coach d, two off the pick and roll one in the middle on jj. there are no other shooters on the floor.
Coach D
May 8th, 2011
10:30 pm
J. Smith at his best. Dang!! If only he were more coachable!!!!
djthescorpian
May 8th, 2011
10:31 pm
LD. Why are letting Crawford guard Rose? Crawford can’t keep up with Rose; he’s too slow. What a boneheaded move.
Hot err
May 8th, 2011
10:32 pm
Gotta like what Teague is bringing to the table.
jlewis
May 8th, 2011
10:32 pm
If they hit the cutters to the basket, this game should go the hawks way.
Corch Myer
May 8th, 2011
10:32 pm
nobody on the hawks can guard rose
Harpie
May 8th, 2011
10:33 pm
joshsmithfan2 – don’t forget to wipe off your Josh Smith poster before your mom comes in your room…
Mark
May 8th, 2011
10:33 pm
Drew, like Woodson, stands there with his arms folded and does NOTHING to limit Rose’s touches. Maybe make one of the other Bulls stiffs beat you, nah!! Make Rose go to his left once, nah!!! Force him to shoot from the outside, nah!! Hawks have given great effort tonight but this game would have been over a while ago if they forced someone else to beat them. One other thing, anyone remember Rick Mahorn. Just once, I would like to see Collins, Horford or Pachulia to plant Rose on one of his drives. Guarantee you it would make him think twice about continually driving to the hoop.
Joshsmithfan2
May 8th, 2011
10:34 pm
Smith again! Garbage for Horford
Chris
May 8th, 2011
10:34 pm
Both the braves and hawks in nail biters and both have announcers who want them to lose
Coach D
May 8th, 2011
10:35 pm
I hear ya’ jlewis, but you hope he would at least make something happen. Guess if the non-shooters would move w/out the ball he might be able to get some assists! J. Smoove must almost have a triple double. Almost a quad-double with all of his turnovers!
Runnin With The Dawgs
May 8th, 2011
10:35 pm
Keep it going Hawks!
MAD-DONNA
May 8th, 2011
10:35 pm
I say move Josh to the point! Nobody else wants to play it!
djthescorpian
May 8th, 2011
10:36 pm
Hawks: play with heart like some real ballaz for the next 3 and something odd minutes.
Joshsmithfan2
May 8th, 2011
10:36 pm
Josh is putting on a show.