Hawks Final Score: Hawks 108, Nuggets 104

The Hawks were able to get back in the win column and improve to 10-5 on the season against the Nuggets Wednesday night to give Josh Smith a win for his birthday. Smith gave the Hawks a double-double, along with frontcourt-mate Al Horford.

Halftime Report: Hawks lead at the half 55-51

Atlanta took a 55-51 lead into the half behind a solid performance from Zaza Pachulia off the bench with 11 points and six boards, and Al Horford's 10 points and six rebounds. Denver was led by Ty Lawson's 15 points and five assists and 14 points off the bench from Corey Brewer. Atlanta has handled the challenge on the glass out rebounding the Nuggets 24-21 and 9-4 on the offensive end (Denver came in top OR team in the NBA). Atlanta is shooting just 42.3% from the field, but has taken 14 more shots (and made 2 more) than the Nuggets, who are shooting 52.6% from the field. Atlanta is also doing well from the charity stripe making 7-of-8 from the line in the first half. The Hawks will need to continue being solid on the glass and focusing on keeping Faried, Mozgov, and McGee off the offensive glass (1 combined OR for those 3). Atlanta has also done well to force turnovers, causing 13 and scoring 12 points off those turnovers.

Hawks will go with small lineup against big Nuggets

The Atlanta Hawks will send out a small lineup of Jeff Teague, Devin Harris, DeShawn Stevenson, Josh Smith, and Al Horford against the length of the Denver Nuggets. Denver will start Ty Lawson, Andre Iguodala, Danilo Gallinari, Kenneth Faried, and Timofey Mozgov. Aside from the 5-11 Lawson, every player in the Nuggets lineup is over 6-6 and will create a number of mismatches defensively for the Hawks, but Atlanta will hope to create their own mismatches by using their speed. Atlanta should look to the pick-and-roll to make Mozgov move away from the rim. Expect Al Horford to try and take advantage of Mozgov's lack of speed by rolling hard and also trying to take him off the dribble when in the high post and away from the basket.

Devin Harris has a tough task with Iguodala, one of the top on-ball defenders in the league, but lately Harris has been used mostly as a perimeter shooter and floor spacer in the half-court, his best effect has come in transition. Atlanta will need to push the pace against the slower, longer Nuggets, while being relatively strong on the glass. Atlanta is 8-2 when they keep their opponent from out rebounding them by more than nine (1-3 when out-rebounded by 10+). The Nuggets dominate on the offensive glass and lead the league in that category, so the onus will be on every player to box out and ensure they limit the Nuggets to one shot per offensive trip.

Denver Nuggets Vs. Atlanta Hawks Game Thread

Josh Smith celebrates his 27th birthday in front of a national TV crowd, as the Hawks take on the Denver Nuggets.

Video: Larry Drew discusses tonight's matchup against the Nuggets

Hawks coach Larry Drew discusses tonight's matchup with the Denver Nuggets.

Kyle Korver out tonight against Nuggets

Hawks sharpshooter Kyle Korver will not play tonight against the Denver Nuggets because he is at the hospital with his wife awaiting the birth of his first child.

Hawks recalling John Jenkins from D-League

John Jenkins stint in the D-League lasted just two games as the Hawks will bring him back on Wednesday.

Nuggets vs. Hawks preview, time, tv info and more

The Atlanta Hawks are back in action Wednesday night in a nationally televised game against the Denver Nuggets.