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Preview and Game Thread #28: Atlanta Hawks @ Indiana Pacers

Atlanta Hawks 09-10 Season Game #28

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20-8
9-18
Conseco Fieldhouse
Dec. 26th, 2009, 7:00 PM
Fox Sports South, Hawks Radio Network, NBA Audio League Pass
Probable starters:
Mike Bibby PG Earl Watson
Joe Johnson SG Dahntay Jones
Marvin Williams SF Mike Dunleavy
Josh Smith PF Troy Murphy
Al Horford C Roy Hibbert

Hawks Injury Report: Joe Smith is out (apparently forever).

Pacers Injury Report: Danny Granger is out. Jeff Foster is doubtful.

Blogging With the Enemy: Indy Cornrows

Predicted bane of the Hawks existence: Dahntay Jones. For reals.

Preview:

Roy Hibbert always seems to start out hot against the Hawks and then he either picks up four fouls in four minutes or the Hawks pick up the pace and shoot the ball before he crosses half court. Troy Murphy tends to drill three pointers like Ray Allen against Atlanta, but the Pacers have struggled from beyond the arc all year. Danny Granger is the name brand on the team, and he is out. Dahntey Jones randomly scares me because he is mean. These are the facts.

Basically what I am trying to say is the Hawks have been on the road for what seems like a month and could easily overlook the Pacers with Granger out. If they do, the Pacers have the tools to beat the Hawks. Indiana just need the ball to bounce right. If the Hawks don't close out on three pointers because they think the Pacers will miss them, if they decide to ignore Roy Hibbert because they are better instead of attacking him with their advantage, if they think Joe can shoot 30 times because one all star will always beat no all stars, the team is in trouble and so are my lamps.

Put another way, the Hawks come out, set the tone, and play full bore this should be an easy win. Will this team treat the Pacers like Utah or Chicago? That is the key to the game.

See you in the game tread. Go Hawks!