Atlanta Hawks 08-09 Game #58 | ||
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30-26 |
32-25 |
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Phillips Arena |
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February 27th, 2009, 7:30 PM | ||
Sports South, Hawks Radio Network, NBA Audio League Pass | ||
Probable starters: | ||
Mario Chalmers | PG | Mike Bibby |
Dwyane Wade | SG | Joe Johnson |
Yakhouba Diawara | SF | Marvin Williams |
Udonis Haslem | PF | Josh Smith |
Jermaine O'Neal | C | Al Horford |
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Hawks Injury Report: Mike Bibby was at the shoot around and will play. Josh Smith is also back in action. Which leaves some dude named Craig who is out.
Heat Injury Report: James Jones is a game time decision as best I can tell.
Blogging With the Enemy: Peninsula Is Mightier which i have said before and will say again is an incredibly named blog.
Predicted bane of the Hawks existence: Daequan Cook. (and I would just like to say I got my first bane correct last game with Chauncey. Not trying to brag. i am just saying.)
Game Preview:
I am much more willing to see Dwayne Wade match his best scoring output ala his 50 point outburst in a loss to Orlando than I am watching him best his 16 assists from the Heat's win over Detroit. Lets just hope Dwayne has a big head from his TNT guest appearance last night and tries to score every last one of Miami's points.
The Hawks offense might not be dynamic, but it can score 51 points.
I think the real key to this game is, if Dwayne is on, the Hawks rotation/help defense. They are going to have to cover each others butts, and if they do, I don't think the Heat's supporting cast is good enough to beat the Hawks with a hand in their face.
Four burning itching questions.
- Marvin again has a match up advantage this game. With the Hawks at full strength will he show the aggression of the Denver game or call it a night on a few jumpers and fast break buckets?
- What Josh Smith will show up? High flying, basket attacking, help defense extraordinaire or pouting, jump shooting, I would rater watch paint dry suck face? (ok, maybe those are not the only two options.)
- Can Joe perform well against the expectations placed on him within the offense and the task of guarding the best player on the floor?
- Will the Hawks take this game as seriously as they should? Possible playoff preview, fourth seed on the line, protecting home court, the ability to not ruin my night. Seriously guys, this is serious.
This is my first game back to the highlight factory in almost a month, and I am darn excited. I really missed the place. It is actually down right creepy. I am borderline obsessed with home games. Hopefully, you will make it down tonight always more fun with a packed not empty house. If not, feel free to join the conversation in the game thread. Let me know specifically when people have started and ended their heat checks and as always, please, please, inform me of any attempts by Randolph Morris to smile.
Go Hawks!