Peachtree Hoops - Hawks vs. Magic: Hawks return home to go for win #41The place to read about/discuss the Atlanta Hawks.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/8811/peachtree-fave.jpg2013-03-31T08:00:10-04:00http://www.peachtreehoops.com/rss/stream/39289252013-03-31T08:00:10-04:002013-03-31T08:00:10-04:00Devin Harris brings Hawks over Magic
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<figcaption>Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Some folks thought this Atlanta Hawks team would struggle to get to 41 wins and, thus, a .500 season. But the Hawks took care of dis-advantaged Orlando behind stellar fourth quarter play from Devin Harris.</p> <p>And a good thing, too, because <span>Jeff Teague</span> was having a "bad Jeff" night, shooting 3 for 15, forcing a lot of things on that end, trail defending <span>Beno Udrih</span> most of the night and making a series of yuck plays.</p>
<p><span>Larry Drew</span>, having a still banged up Harris available to run things and shiny new rosteree Shevlin Mack on hand to bear the weight of the second ball handler in the backcourt, sat Teague for the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>Harris, meanwhile, picked a good quarter to heat up, scoring 13 of his 17 in the fourth quarter, from a variety of shots across the floor. </p>
<p>Harris also ran the mid-floor pick and roll to perfection to <span>Ivan Johnson</span>, who tied a career high in points with 21 <a href="http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/3/30/4166224/hawks-magic-final-score-2013" target="_blank">and fed Robby lots of usable lines post-game.</a> Gotta love Ivan. Johnson also added 10 rebounds to help replace the production lost when <span>Al Horford</span> missed his second game with a stomach ailment. </p>
<p>Also unofficially I counted four instances of Johnson scoring the basket while getting fouled. In this season of free throw avoidance for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Hawks</a>, it was a welcomed site being so shorthanded.</p>
<p>The good guys were without the aforementioned Horford, <span>DeShawn Stevenson</span>, <span>Lou Williams</span>, <span>John Jenkins</span> and <span>Zaza Pachulia</span>.</p>
<p>Pachulia met with local media before the game<a href="http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/3/30/4165784/atlanta-hawks-zaza-pachulia-season-ending-achilles-surgery" target="_blank">to announce he is undergoing season-ending surgery. </a>This ends his season with the Hawks, his last under contract, meaning he might have played his last game as a Hawk -- that there wasn't a farewell worthy of Pachulia's contribution to the Hawks should likely make Drew Ditzel (aka Hawksdawgs) a little upset.</p>
<p>Also the team announced that Jenkins was confirmed to have a concussion by Hawks team doctors and will now engage in the NBA's mandatory concussion process, a process which it has been a week or so for other players to clear before returning to action.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Magic</a> came into the game banged up significantly as well. <span>Jameer Nelson</span> missed the game with a sprained right ankle, <span>Arron Afflalo</span> didn't make the trip to Atlanta with a sore right hamstring, big man <span>Glen Davis</span> is out and <span>Hedo Turkoglu</span> is not with the team for personal reasons.</p>
<p><b>Since Bullets are gauche these days, lets just do a kind, gentle listing of thoughts, shall we?</b></p>
<p><span>Devin Harris</span> is a 71 percent free throw shooter this season and went 5-9. </p>
<p><span>Josh Smith</span> and Ivan Johnson are both below 60 percent for the season yet combined for a 14-17 night from the line. Huzzah!</p>
<p>Good thing <span>Kyle Korver</span> made a first half three to extend his streak to 67 games, because Larry Drew wanted no part of Korver trying to cover Mo Harkless. Korver only lasted 18+ minutes due to the Magic not putting a lineup out there that supported having Korver on the floor as well. Was a shame, too, because Kyle picked up a quick six rebounds out there.</p>
<p>Ivan Johnson smiled on the court. Twice. Once was when he ate up Kyle O'Quinn on a lane slam and the other was when he made the bucket to tie his career high. Both times Johnson broke character it was because of something Josh Smith had said. Robby has not dug this information up as yet.</p>
<p>Josh definitely made more of an effort to go to the rim, though some later games dalliances with the long jump shot emerged. After going 6-23, Josh bounced back with a 7-14, 21 point, nine rebound, three block night. </p>
<p>Josh also locked down recently hot <span>Tobias Harris</span>, sticking him with a 5-18 night while Smith showed strong vertical defensive fundamentals when Harris drove to the basket.</p>
<p><span>Mike Scott</span>, you're 19 points last night in Boston was nice. Now, play 37 seconds against the Magic.</p>
<p>Larry Drew picked up his fourth technical foul of the season. Go ahead, pause, I know you are surprised it's that many.</p>
<p>The Hawks passed the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> for the fifth seed, 41 wins with eight games to go.</p>
https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/3/31/4166456/atlanta-hawks-orlando-magic-final-scoreJason Walker2013-03-30T22:22:52-04:002013-03-30T22:22:52-04:00Hawks beat Magic behind Ivan Johnson career-high
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<figcaption>Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Despite being short-handed, the Hawks were able to take care of the Magic at home behind big games from Ivan Johnson, Devin Harris, and Josh Smith. </p> <p>With Al Horford out for the second straight game due to a stomach illness, John Jenkins out with a concussion, DeShawn out on the back-to-back, and the news of Zaza Pachulia's season-ending surgery; the Hawks were able to beat the lowly Orlando Magic without much trouble. Ivan Johnson came off the bench to lead the Hawks with 21 points (matching his career high), 10 rebounds, and three steals in 34 minutes. Johnson provided the Hawks with a needed energy boost, and attacked the rim for numerous dunks and got himself to the free throw line going 7-for-8 from the charity stripe. </p>
<p>Ivan also held a great post-game interview. Here it is in all of it's glory (Big thanks to @JameelahJNBA for letting me use her video). </p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/a4CM1IxS7e0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></span></p>
<p>Highlights:</p>
<p>On how fun the game was for him:</p>
<p>"It was real fun. I got a lot of work in. Conditioning."</p>
<p>On stepping up with Al out:</p>
<p>"There's sometimes you gotta step up. Got the Big Gator down, gotta step up."</p>
<p>On getting early dunks: </p>
<p>"It gets me going real good. Stretch my legs out. I'm gettin' kinda old."</p>
<p>On his free throw shooting: </p>
<p>"I try. I do what I can. You know, I've been workin on it. Stayin in the gym, like, 12 o'clock at night, nah I'm just playin. Yeah, I been workin on it though."</p>
<p>-------</p>
<p>Josh Smith also scored 21 points along with nine boards, three blocks, and two steals. Smoove shot 50% from the field and 7-for-9 from the free throw line and played under control for most of the night (he still had some classic Josh long-jumpers). Devin Harris had a big fourth quarter scoring 13 of his 17 total points in the final period, including a stretch where he had eight straight for the Hawks to help push their lead to double digits.</p>
<p>The Hawks came out flat in the first quarter, falling behind by as many as eight, but once Ivan Johnson came in and found his flow, the Hawks were able to take a 45-44 lead into the half. The third quarter was ugly, but the Hawks started to pull away towards the end of the third before rolling through the fourth quarter on their way to the 97-88 win. Despite the game being within single-digits most of the night, the Hawks appeared to be in control for the entire second half and the Magic didn't threaten the lead much due to some horrific shooting from the field. Orlando shot 39.1% from the floor, 4-of-13 (30.8%) from three, and a Hawks-like 16-of-27 from the free throw line (59.3%). </p>
<p>Larry Drew was not particularly pleased after the game, especially with the energy from his starters, but he heaped praise on Ivan Johnson and Shelvin Mack for their efforts in the win. Drew pointed out that with eight games left in the season, the Hawks needed to find a way to bring sustained energy from start to finish as they move towards the playoffs. </p>
<p>Atlanta's homestand continues with Cleveland on Monday and then the Knicks come to town Wednesday for a big match-up between playoff teams. </p>
https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/3/30/4166224/hawks-magic-final-score-2013Robby Kalland2013-03-30T16:48:28-04:002013-03-30T16:48:28-04:00Atlanta Hawks vs. Orlando Magic game thread
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<figcaption>Jared Wickerham</figcaption>
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<p>The Hawks return home after a loss to the Celtics Friday night while the Magic ride into Atlanta after beating the Wizards in Orlando.</p> <p><br><br> </p>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" cellspacing="5" border="1" align="center" cellpadding="5" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; margin: 1em auto; padding: 0px; font-size: 11px; width: 487px; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><tbody style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><th align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">2012/2013 NBA Regular Season Game #74</th></tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"> <td width="240" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><center><center> <a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1058494/Magiclogo.png" target="_blank" style="background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration: underline;"><img class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1058494/Magiclogo_medium.png" alt="Magiclogo_medium"></a> <br><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">(19-54)</strong> </center></center></td> <th align="center" width="20" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">vs</th> <td width="240" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><center> <center> <a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2369955/Hawks.gif" target="_blank" style="color: #505050; font-weight: bold;"><img class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2369955/Hawks_medium.gif" alt="Hawks_medium" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></a> <br id="1364168710969"> </center> <center><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">(40-33)</strong></center> </center></td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><td align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Saturday, March 30th, 2013</strong></td></tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><td align="center" colspan="3" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA</strong></td></tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><td align="center" colspan="3" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">7:00 PM Eastern</strong></td></tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><td align="center" colspan="3" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">SportSouth, 680 The Fan, 93.7 FM</strong></td></tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><th align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Total Guesses for Starters</strong></th></tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"> <td align="right" width="240" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><span>Jameer Nelson</span></td> <th align="center" width="20" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">PG</th> <td width="240" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><strong><span>Jeff Teague</span></strong></td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"> <td align="right" width="240" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><span>DeQuan Jones</span></td> <th align="center" width="20" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">SG</th> <td width="240" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><strong><span>DeShawn Stevenson</span></strong></td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"> <td align="right" width="240" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Maurice Harkless</td> <th align="center" width="20" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">SF</th> <td width="240" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><strong><span>Josh Smith</span></strong></td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"> <td align="right" width="240" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><font color="#292929"><span style="border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: #292929;"><span>Tobias Harris</span></span></font></td> <th align="center" width="20" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">PF</th> <td width="240" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><strong><span>Ivan Johnson</span></strong></td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"> <td align="right" width="240" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><font color="#292929"><span style="border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: #292929;"><span>Kyle O'Quinn</span></span></font></td> <th align="center" width="20" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">C</th> <td width="240" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><strong><span>Johan Petro</span></strong></td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><th align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">2012/13 Advanced Stats</strong></th></tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"> <td align="right" width="240" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">94.29 (16th)</td> <th align="center" width="20" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">Pace</th> <td width="240" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">94.54 (14th)</td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"> <td align="right" width="240" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">99.5 (26th)</td> <th align="center" width="20" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">ORtg</th> <td width="240" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">102.7 (17th)</td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"> <td align="right" width="240" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">106.9 (26th)</td> <th align="center" width="20" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">DRtg</th> <td width="240" style="margin: 0px; padding: 3px;">101.7 (10th)<br> </td> </tr> </tbody></table>
https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/3/30/4165416/atlanta-hawks-vs-orlando-magic-game-threadJason Walker2013-03-30T12:49:38-04:002013-03-30T12:49:38-04:00Hawks vs. Magic game-day info
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Atlanta Hawks are back home trying to rebound from an ugly loss in Boston Friday night. The Hawks are dealing with many injuries and game-time decisions abound.</p> <p> </p>
<p>Back home, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Hawks</a> take on Orlando, who came across with a win at home over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> Friday night.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Magic</a> have only won 19 games this season compared to the Hawks' 40 wins, but have been getting strong efforts from <span>Tobias Harris</span>, acquired when they traded JJ Redick at the trade deadline. Harris scored 30 points against the Wizards Friday night and was <a href="http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2013/3/30/4163922/tobias-harris-stats-orlando-magic-trade-2013-milwaukee-bucks-beno-udrih" target="_blank">the feature in a post game article </a>from Orlando Pinstriped Post's Evan Dunlap.</p>
<p>The posts highlights the increase in production since Harris arrived from Milwaukee:</p>
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<p>For instance, the former Volunteer scored in double-figures 13 times in his 70-game <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Bucks</a> career, and he never exceeded 19 points. In contrast, Friday's game was his 15th double-digit scoring effort in his 18 Magic appearances, and the sixth in which he matched or set a new career-high. That he's developed so much in such a short span demonstrates the strength of his work ethic, as well as the extent to which his teammates trust him.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>The Hawks will see if <span>Al Horford</span> can return tonight after an illness cost him a game in Boston. <span>Devin Harris</span> was also held out of Friday's game and our guess is will likely play instead of <span>DeShawn Stevenson</span>, who rarely plays back-to-back games (he played Friday in Boston).</p>
<p><span>Zaza Pachulia</span> remains captured in an odd injury portal whose magic words for release are in an as-yet unknown language likely only to be discovered by a mutation of angry elves and penguins.</p>
<p><span>John Jenkins</span> suffered a concussion and was reported by the AJC to have experienced headaches afterwards -- which means Jenkins will have some time to let the clouds clear, and rightfully so, before he's allowed to return to the court. My kingdom for <span>Anthony Morrow</span>!</p>
<p>Despite losing against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Celtics</a>, Atlanta still holds a 1.5 game lead over the C's for the sixth seed in the playoffs and the same 2.5 games behind the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Nets</a> for the fourth seed.</p>
<p><b>Game Date/Time:</b> Saturday, March 30th, 7:00 PM EST</p>
<p><b>Location:</b> Philips Arena (AKA The Highlight Factory), Atlanta, GA</p>
<p><b>TV:</b> SportSouth</p>
<p><b>Radio: </b>680 The Fan, 93.7 FM</p>
<p><b>Online Streaming:</b> NBA League Pass Broadband</p>
<p><b>Odds:</b> Atlanta <a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/nba/orlando-atlanta-odds-march-30-2013" target="_blank">is a whopping 12 point favorite</a> over Orlando at Philips.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.tiqiq.com/nba/atlanta-hawks-tickets?pubid=1011017"><b><i>Atlanta Hawks Tickets</i></b></a></p>
https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/3/30/4164742/hawks-vs-magic-time-tv-radio-info-and-moreJason Walker