| Atlanta Hawks 09-10 Season Game #19 | ||
|---|---|---|
 | @ |  |
| 4-15 | 13-5 | |
| Philips Arena | ||
| Dec. 4th, 2009, 7:30 PM | ||
| Sports South, Hawks Radio Network, NBA Audio League Pass | ||
| Probable starters: | ||
| Chris Duhon | PG | Mike Bibby |
| Larry Hughes | SG | Joe Johnson |
| Danilo Gallinari | SF | Marvin Williams |
| Al Harrington | PF | Josh Smith |
| David Lee | C | Al Horford |
| ||
Hawks Injury Report: None
Knicks Injury Report: Eddy Curry may or may not be active depending on things only God knows.
Blogging With the Enemy: Posting and Toasting
Predicted bane of the Hawks existence: DNP be damned. Nate Robinson. The good news is that Nate is always the Hawks bane to cut Atlanta's lead from 15 to 5 and not say to extend the Knicks lead from 5 to 15. But little Nate will score 20+ tonight. I assure you of that.
Game Preview:
Did you know the Hawks score more points a game than the Knicks? Sure 146 point games still sway things a bit this early in the season, but the Hawks offense is impressive. Really, when you think about it, the Hawks rarely have a game where any two positions are over matched by opposing defense.
If you will take a trip down memory lane with me, this is what I wrote after the Hawks first win over the Knicks.
The starting front court had 47 points, 21 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 blocks, and 7 assists. Any team in the league is not ok with those numbers, they are ecstatic. Those are Christmas list numbers.
I think it goes without saying where our strategy should at least start tonight. Actually, it does not go without saying because 1) I just said it and 2) I am nervous it won't happen. So I guess, it is obvious and goes with very intentional, emphatic saying "feed the post."
Keys to the game:
- Just because one team does not play defense does not mean the other team has to give up there too. The Hawks can save energy for a tough back to back by starting focused and giving strong effort on defense. There is no rule against having two games in a row like the Toronto effort. Although tonight, 125 points is fine.
- Shut down the hot guy. New York has no superstar, but between Nate Robinson, Al Harrington, Gallinari, and even Larry Hughes, someone is bound to catch fire. Put the fire out. If the Knicks are on enough where multiple guys are drilling shots, it is a different story but wait for that one to be written because I don't see it happening.
- Feed the post. Repeat.
Happy Friday and go Hawks!