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Preview and Game Thread #58: Milwaukee Bucks @ Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta Hawks 09-10 Season Game # 58

Bucks_medium

@ Atlanta-hawks_medium
30-28
36-21
Philips Arena
February 28th, 2010, 6:00 PM EST
SportsSouth, Hawks Radio Network, NBA Audio League Pass
Probable starters:
Brandon Jennings
PG Mike Bibby
John Salmons SG Joe Johnson
Carolos Delfino SF Marvin Williams
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute PF Josh Smith
Andrew Bogut C Al Horford

Hawks Injury Report: None

Bucks Injury Report: Michael Redd is out...forever.

Blogging With the Enemy: Brew Hoop

Predicted bane of the Hawks' existence: Andrew Bogut via Brandon Jennings

Game Preview:

Amazingly, this is the first time the Hawks have seen the Bucks all season. Milwaukee is riding a six game win streak that I am greatly envious of. The Hawks are anti streak. They are anit momentum. They enjoy winning two and then losing two. Much more yin/yang that way (note: pretty sure that is not actually what yin/yang means).

And coming to Philips, the Bucks should feel pretty confident. They have the two things the Hawks hate to see. A lightening fast point guard that can score and a legit center. Sweet, just sweet. I am not exactly sure who Mike Bibby is going to guard today (Carlos Delfino?), but I am excited to see Brandon Jennings in person and watch Joe Johnson attempt to guard him and score 30 points.

The Hawks are certainly the better team, but two things have become abundantly clear over the season. The Hawks have weaknesses that fit into the Bucks strengths, and the Hawks are perfectly fine losing to teams they are better than.

Keys to the game:

  1. Josh Smith knowing his defense is far more important than his offense today. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute can play defense so the likelihood of a 25 point day for Josh is low. A successful day is intimidating Jennings out of the lane and helping on Bogut.
  2. Mike Bibby not being a net negative. Put another way, Mike Bibby scoring more than ten points of better than 45% shooting.
  3. Al Horford proving he is an all-star. I have seen Al play Bogut well, but many said, if not for injuries, the Buck center would have made the team. A nice "I think not" game by Horford would go a long way to securing a Hawks victory.

Go Hawks!