WHO: Atlanta (32-24) at Denver (37-20)
WHERE: Sports South, Hawks Radio Network, NBA Audio League Pass
Hawks Injury Report: Some dude named Craig. Mike Bibby is a game time decision due to a flu bug that is apparently trying to go 12 for 12 with the team. Josh Smith is out for personal reasons.
Nuggets Injury Report: Nene hurt his knee and is out.
Blogging With the Enemy: Pickaxe and Roll (is pixaxe really one word?)
Predicted bane of the Hawks existence: Chauncey Billups, call it a gut feel.
Game Preview:
One would think when two team playing fairly bad basketball meet up that the home team is going to brick slightly few shots and play slightly better mediocre defense.
Hopefully, Josh Smith's personal issues are nothing too serious. Outside of the circumstances though, I think a game off might be in order. Had it been the suspension and not the personal, I would have been perfectly happy. It seems our enigmatic power forward needs some perspective, a little distance. Maybe please let this game off provide him such.
Has anyone else noticed that Dominique only has two keys to the game. Steve Smith had "Smitty's Three pointers." To me the difference between two and three points is worthless generalization and moderately worthless generalization. Step it up Nique.
Three keys to the game.
1. Marvin holds Carmelo to jump shots.
2. Joe takes a lot of advantage of being far and away the best two guard on the floor.
3. Al Horford and Zaza out hustle Kenyon Martin and "the Birdman."
I am a win away from calling this road trip to perfection. Not exactly picking the winning lotto numbers, but hey, let me have something.
You are welcome to root on my prediction in the comments. I will be there.
Go Hawks.