Peachtree Hoops - Bulls vs. Hawks: Full CoverageThe place to read about/discuss the Atlanta Hawks.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/8811/peachtree-fave.jpg2012-12-24T08:02:22-05:00http://www.peachtreehoops.com/rss/stream/35587552012-12-24T08:02:22-05:002012-12-24T08:02:22-05:00Hawks still 3rd in Eastern Conference standings
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<figcaption>Kevin C. Cox</figcaption>
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<p>The Atlanta Hawks are in third place in the Eastern Conference standings trailing the Miami Heat and the New York Knicks.</p> <p>After a 2-2 week, the Atlanta Hawks remain in third place in the Eastern Conference standings three games back of the New York Knicks and 2.5 games behind the Miami Heat. Atlanta began the week with an <a href="http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2012/12/18/3780024/hawks-vs-wizards-schedule-score">overtime win over Washington</a>before two straight <a href="http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2012/12/20/3787120/durant-and-westbrook-prove-to-be-too-much-for-the-hawks">losses to Oklahoma City</a> and <a href="http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2012/12/21/3794072/final-score-76ers-hawks-2012">Philadelphia</a>. The Hawks ended the week with a <a href="http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2012/12/23/3796860/bulls-vs-hawks-final-score-al-horford-lou-williams">92-75 beat down of the Chicago Bulls</a> who are currently in fourth place in the East Standings. </p>
<p>Just behind the Bulls in fifth place is the Indiana Pacers. The Bucks, Nets and Celtics round out the top eight of the standings. Toronto is 9-19 on the season but currently has the longest winning streak in the East at five games. The Bobcats are at the other end of the spectrum as their losing streak reached 15 games. </p>
<p>Here is a look at the full Eastern Conference standings: </p>
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<h3>Eastern Standings</h3>
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<thead class="super-head"><tr>
<th></th> <th>GP</th> <th>W-L</th> <th>PCT</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a></td>
<td>24</td>
<td>18-6</td>
<td class="td-last">.750</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a></td>
<td>26</td>
<td>20-7</td>
<td class="td-last">.731</td>
</tr>
<tr class="community-team">
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a></td>
<td>25</td>
<td>16-9</td>
<td class="td-last">.640</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a></td>
<td>26</td>
<td>15-11</td>
<td class="td-last">.577</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.indycornrows.com/">Indiana Pacers</a></td>
<td>28</td>
<td>16-12</td>
<td class="td-last">.571</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Milwaukee Bucks</a></td>
<td>26</td>
<td>14-12</td>
<td class="td-last">.538</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Brooklyn Nets</a></td>
<td>25</td>
<td>14-12</td>
<td class="td-last">.520</td>
</tr>
<tr class=" last-finalist">
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a></td>
<td>26</td>
<td>13-13</td>
<td class="td-last">.500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/">Philadelphia 76ers</a></td>
<td>27</td>
<td>13-15</td>
<td class="td-last">.481</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a></td>
<td>26</td>
<td>12-15</td>
<td class="td-last">.462</td>
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<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.raptorshq.com/">Toronto Raptors</a></td>
<td>28</td>
<td>9-19</td>
<td class="td-last">.321</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Detroit Pistons</a></td>
<td>30</td>
<td>9-21</td>
<td class="td-last">.300</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats">Charlotte Bobcats</a></td>
<td>27</td>
<td>7-20</td>
<td class="td-last">.259</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a></td>
<td>29</td>
<td>6-23</td>
<td class="td-last">.207</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a></td>
<td>25</td>
<td>3-22</td>
<td class="td-last">.120</td>
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https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2012/12/24/3798874/2012-nba-standingsKris Willis2012-12-23T09:00:44-05:002012-12-23T09:00:44-05:00Photo Gallery: Bulls vs. Hawks
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Atlanta Hawks got back on track Saturday night delivering a 92-75 win over the Central Division leading Chicago Bulls.</p>
https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2012/12/23/3797414/photo-gallery-hawks-bulls-2012Kris Willis2012-12-23T08:01:37-05:002012-12-23T08:01:37-05:00Hawks demolish the Bulls 92-75 behind Al and Lou
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Hawks moved to 16-9 on the season with a dominating 92-75 win over the Bulls behind Al Horford's 20 points and 10 rebounds and Lou Williams' 16 points. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Hawks</a> came in looking to put Friday’s ugly loss in Philly behind them, and they did so in grand style, clobbering the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Bulls</a> 92-75 in their fourth game in five nights. Atlanta found their rhythm in the second quarter and never looked back.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The first quarter started with both teams unable to score. The first score came by <span>Joakim Noah</span> three minutes into the game, and with 2:55 to play the score was 11-10 Hawks. <span>Luol Deng</span> asserted himself at that point scoring six points in the final three minutes to lead the Bulls to a 21-17 first quarter lead. The Bulls started slow, but improved to a solid 47.4% from the field, while the Hawks shot just 36.8% from the field.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The second quarter started much better as both offenses found their rhythm, with the Hawks shooters finding their stroke. <span>Lou Williams</span>, who got his first start of the year, hit a pair of threes early in the second quarter, and the Hawks got out on the break. The fast-break scores, most notably a lob from Lou to <span>Josh Smith</span> and a Lou posterization of <span>Kirk Hinrich</span>, brought the Philips crowd into the game for the first time. After the game, Lou shrugged it off as if it was nothing. Asked where that ranked on the "Lou Williams Highlight Reel," he laughed, "it was light."</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Hawks fed off that energy and kept running, jumping out to a 53-37 halftime lead. Atlanta out-scored the Bulls 36-16 in the second, and pointed to the defensive effort as the catalyst for their offense.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">"I thought our defense triggered our offense," <span>Larry Drew</span> said. "We were energized defensively, and it carried over right from the other end. Guys were sharp with everything we did. We contested shots and ran."</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">"We turned up the pressure defensively," said <span>Al Horford</span>. "I think both teams were a little sluggish after last night’s game, with both teams traveling here and everything. After the first quarter, it was about getting our legs back, and then we stepped it up after that."</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Atlanta cruised through the second half on their way to a 92-75 victory. The Hawks were able to rest their starters much of the fourth without giving up much of their lead. Atlanta finished the game shooting 49.4% from the field and pounded the Bulls on the glass, out-rebounding them 45-31 (12-6 OR). After the game, head coach Larry Drew said, "This was our most complete game." He pointed to the energy from <span>Jeff Teague</span>, who finished with 11 points and eight assists.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">"That was probably one of our most energized wins thus far this year," said Drew. "I thought at the very beginning our guys did a really good job, and it started with Jeff Teague and his energy defensively at the very beginning. It was a very clear contrast from last night, where I thought he was a little laid back and didn’t really exert himself defensively. I thought tonight he did a phenomenal job with that. When he does that he just gets us going. It’s something we talk to Jeff about and something we’ll stay on him about constantly."</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lou Williams had his first start of the season, and first start in 173 games, and rewarded Drew’s decision by scoring 16 points. Lou added four rebounds and three assists and helped provide an energetic lift for the Hawks.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Al Horford led the Hawks with 20 points and 10 rebounds and shot 9-for-12 from the field. Al had been 9-for-35 in the past three nights, but he just kept shooting, knowing eventually they’d start falling again.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">"I was taking the same kind of shots [before]. They felt good [the last few games], they just weren’t falling. Tonight they were. It was a better night. But more importantly, we won, and we playing the right way."</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The Hawks improve to 16-9 and move a game and a half up on the Bulls for third in the Eastern Conference. They have three days off before taking on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Pistons</a> on December 26. While the break will be nice after playing four games in five nights, Larry Drew said, "I wish I could bottle up this energy." Once again, the enigma that is this Hawks team showed how dominant they can be despite coming off their worst loss of the season the night before, but, as always, it’s a matter of them playing to their potential. We’ll just have to wait until Wednesday to find out which Hawks team shows up for the Pistons, but let’s hope we see more of this Hawks team this season.</p>
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<p><span>Bulls vs Hawks boxscore</span></p>
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https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2012/12/23/3796860/bulls-vs-hawks-final-score-al-horford-lou-williamsRobby Kalland2012-12-22T21:43:48-05:002012-12-22T21:43:48-05:00Hawks dominate Bulls 92-75
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YPmc8UkdtgNZreeTN7HynROmpbg=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/5462899/20121222_kdl_ab3_018.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>After a slow start for both offenses, the Hawks took over in the second quarter and dominated the game behind Al Horford (20 points, 10 rebounds) and Lou Williams (16 points). </p> <p> </p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 12.22.2012 </span> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>3</th> <th>4</th> <th>Total</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> </span></td>
<td>21</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>21</td>
<td class="highlight">75</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a> </span></td>
<td>17</td>
<td>36</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>14</td>
<td class="highlight">92</td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
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<p>The first quarter started with both teams unable to score. The first score came by <span>Joakim Noah</span> three minutes into the game, and with 2:55 to play the score was 11-10 Hawks. Luol Deng asserted himself at that point scoring six points in the final three minutes to lead the Bulls to a 21-17 first quarter lead. The Bulls started slow, but improved to a solid 47.4% from the field, while the Hawks shot just 36.8% from the field. While the Hawks struggled shooting, they did do a solid job on the glass, out-rebounding the Bulls 12-8 (5-1 OR).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The second quarter started much better as both offenses found their rhythm, with the Hawks shooters finding their stroke. <span>Lou Williams</span>, who got his first start of the year, hit a pair of threes early in the second quarter, and the Hawks got out on the break. The fast-break scores, most notably a lob from Lou to <span>Josh Smith</span> and a Lou posterization of <span>Kirk Hinrich</span>, brought the Philips crowd into the game for the first time. The Hawks fed off that energy and kept running, jumping out to a 53-37 halftime lead.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lou led the Hawks with 14 points, and <span>Al Horford</span> added 12 points and seven rebounds as he kept the Bulls off the boards. <span>Kyle Korver</span> had 11 points on 3-of-5 from three including a buzzer beater at the end of the half. The Hawks shot the lights out in the second quarter, improving their shooting percentage from 36.8% in the first to 52.4% thanks to a 15-of-23 (65.2%) shooting in the second.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Hawks continued to dominate in the third quarter pushing their lead to as much as 25 and finished with a 78-54 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Josh Smith and Al Horford each had six points in the quarter as the Hawks continued to shoot the ball well going 52.6% from the field in the third. Atlanta’s defense continued to stymy the Bulls offense, forcing Chicago to shoot just 35% in the third.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Atlanta cruised through the fourth quarter on their way to a 92-75 victory. The Hawks were able to rest their starters much of the fourth without giving up much of their lead. Atlanta finished the game shooting 49.4% from the field and pounded the Bulls on the glass, out-rebounding them 45-31 (12-6 OR). After the game, head coach <span>Larry Drew</span> said, "This was our most complete game."</p>
<p>Al Horford led the Hawks with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Lou Williams, who started for the first time in 173 games, had 16 points, <span>Jeff Teague</span> had 11 points and led the team with eight assists.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Hawks improve to 16-9 and move a game and a half up on the Bulls for third in the Eastern Conference. They have three days off before taking on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Pistons</a> on December 26.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>For the Chicago point of view be sure to check out <a href="http://www.blogabull.com/">Blog a Bull</a>.</i></p>
https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2012/12/22/3796726/final-score-hawks-bulls-2012Robby Kalland2012-12-22T20:14:42-05:002012-12-22T20:14:42-05:00Hawks dominate second quarter to take a 53-37 lead
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pSpyWl43prKRsIy-dmNGMiupqF4=/0x0:3999x2666/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/5460727/20121221_hcs_sy4_025.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Lou led the Hawks with 14 points, and Al Horford added 12 points and seven rebounds as he kept the Bulls off the boards. Kyle Korver had 11 points on 3-of-5 from three including a buzzer beater at the end of the half. </p> <p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The first quarter started with both teams unable to score. The first score came by Joakim Noah three minutes into the game, and with 2:55 to play the score was 11-10 Hawks. Luol Deng asserted himself at that point scoring six points in the final three minutes to lead the Bulls to a 21-17 first quarter lead. The Bulls started slow, but improved to a solid 47.4% from the field, while the Hawks shot just 36.8% from the field. While the Hawks struggled shooting, they did do a solid job on the glass, out-rebounding the Bulls 12-8 (5-1 OR).</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The second quarter started much better as both offenses found their rhythm, with the Hawks shooters finding their stroke. Lou Williams, who got his first start of the year, hit a pair of threes early in the second quarter, and the Hawks got out on the break. The fast-break scores, most notably a lob from Lou to Josh Smith and a Lou posterization of Kirk Hinrich, brought the Philips crowd into the game for the first time. The Hawks fed off that energy and kept running, jumping out to a 53-37 halftime lead.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lou led the Hawks with 14 points, and Al Horford added 12 points and seven rebounds as he kept the Bulls off the boards. Kyle Korver had 11 points on 3-of-5 from three including a buzzer beater at the end of the half. The Hawks shot the lights out in the second quarter, improving their shooting percentage from 36.8% in the first to 52.4% thanks to a 15-of-23 (65.2%) shooting in the second.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Much of that was helped by the nine turnovers they forced and 13 points off turnovers. The Hawks defense tightened up in the second quarter and not only turned the Bulls over, but were able to bother Chicago’s shooters, causing them to shoot just 41.2%. Atlanta continued to lead on the glass, out-rebounding the Bulls 22-16 (8-4 OR). The Hawks will need to keep up the intensity they had in the second quarter to try and get an easy win to head into their little Christmas break.</p>
https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2012/12/22/3796544/halftime-report-hawks-dominate-second-quarter-to-take-a-53-37-leadRobby Kalland2012-12-22T17:52:47-05:002012-12-22T17:52:47-05:00Hawks to start Lou Williams against Bulls
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<figcaption>Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Lou Williams will start for the first time as a Hawk and for the first time since the 2009-10 season against the Chicago Bulls along with Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, Josh Smith, and Al Horford. </p> <p>The Hawks are shaking things up after back-to-back losses by starting Lou Williams at shooting guard against the Bulls along with Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, Josh Smith, and Al Horford. Williams has yet to start a game for the Hawks, and hasn't started in an NBA game since the 2009-10 season. Larry Drew said that if Devin Harris were available he would have started, but he remains inactive with a foot injury. DeShawn Stevenson will be a game-time decision, and Drew said that if he has it his way DeShawn will not play if possible. With Stevenson's age, Drew is wary of playing him too many minutes in back-to-backs as to keep him fresh for later in the year. Drew wants the team to play up-tempo against the bigger, half-court oriented Bulls and thinks that by starting Lou they will be able to push the pace more.</p>
<p>The concern for the Hawks will have to be on the boards, as Chicago features a few different dominant rebounders, most notably Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson. Al Horford will be tasked with keeping his old college teammate Noah off the boards and it will take a lot of energy from Al as Noah is notorious for having a high-motor. Atlanta is coming off a pair of losses, first a tough loss to the Thunder, and then a bad blowout loss to the Sixers last night. The Hawks want to reestablish themselves tonight at home and head into a three-day break with a victory.</p>
https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2012/12/22/3796220/hawks-to-start-lou-williams-against-bullsRobby Kalland