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Preview and Game Thread #5: Atlanta Hawks @ Sacramento Kings

Atlanta Hawks 09-10 Season Game #5

Atlanta-hawks_medium
@ Sacramento_kings_medium

3-1
1-3
ARCO Arena
Nov. 4th, 2009, 10:00 PM
Fox Sports South, Hawks Radio Network, NBA Audio League Pass
Probable starters:
Tyreke Evans
PG Mike Bibby
Kevin Martin SG Joe Johnson
Desmond Mason
SF Marvin Williams
Sean May
PF Josh Smith
Spencer Hawes C Al Horford

Hawks Injury Report: None.

Blazers Injury Report: Francisco Garcia is out.

Blogging With the Enemy: Sactown Royalty (game preview here)

Predicted bane of the Hawks existence: Kevin Martin, SoCon for life!

Game Preview:

I must admit I hate the Kings. I mean that in the best possible way. I hate how Kevin Martin shoots 20 free throws every time we play him and Andres Nocioni goes crazy and makes everyone try and Spencer Hawes does something I can't make fun of and how if the Hawks lose tonight last night no longer matters.The Kings are not fun. This is a lose/yea that's what I thought game.

I am not even going to lie, I feel bad for Mike Bibby. With Tyreke Evans at point and the second game of a back to back, Bibby does not even have someone he can pretend to guard. I expect a serious Jeff Teague sighting and a lot of Joe Johnson/Jamal Crawford backcourts tonight. Go 4-5 in 16 minutes and call it a night Mike. Your too old to waste your time with the Kings anyway.

The Hawks need to play their game. They are better. Even if a couple guys on the Kings get hot, they are still better. A full games worth of focus and energy is all it takes. This one matters as much as last night. So things that should be avoided in no particular order are letdowns, Josh jumpshots, Nocioni angry spit, and Kevin Martin's leg kick.

Keys to the game:

  1. Dominate on offense. The Hawks could and probably should have the advantage at every position when they are on that side of the ball.
  2. Keep Kevin Martin off the free throw line. Dude is crafty. Martin lives there and will probably find away but a huge night from the field is much different if you never make it to the line. 15 for 30 from the field is only 30 points if you don't foul. And I didn't even need a calculator for that math.
  3. Limited turnovers. See that first key? Turnovers will make that one irrelevant.

No more messing around. I am in it for the long haul tonight. All four quarters. It is my symbolic support of the Hawks doing the same. See you in the game thread.

Go Hawks!