Peachtree Hoops - Dec 18: Hawks 124, Kings 107The place to read about/discuss the Atlanta Hawks.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/8811/peachtree-fave.jpg2013-12-19T11:00:07-05:00http://www.peachtreehoops.com/rss/stream/49864852013-12-19T11:00:07-05:002013-12-19T11:00:07-05:00Hawks offense on a roll
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<figcaption>Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Kyle Korver hit eight three-pointers and finished with a season-best 28 points as the Atlanta Hawks pulled away late to defeat the Sacramento Kings 124-107. Korver talked about the win and the groove Atlanta's offense is in after the game. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a> continued to sizzle offensively Wednesday night outscoring the <a href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sacramento Kings</a> 124-107 en route to their second straight win. <span>Kyle Korver</span> was a huge part of Wednesday's win knocking down eight threes to finish with a season-high 28 points. Following the game, <a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20131218/SACATL/gameinfo.html">Korver talked about the offensive performance</a> following the game:</p>
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<p>"That's the product of a lot of things," Korver said. "It's unselfishness, it's good spacing, it's a lot of guys in rhythm, it's everyone being dangerous and no one's really sure where the help is going to come from (on defense). When Jeff is attacking like that and really going to the basket, it really creates a lot of openings for us."</p>
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<p>Atlanta's offense has certainly been on a roll of late. They have gone over 100 points in eight of the last nine games and four straight. That coming after a stretch of six games where they failed to score more than 96. Neither the <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Lakers</a> nor the Kings should be considered as defensive juggernauts and Sacramento coach <span>Mike Malone</span> called his team one of the league's worst defensive units following Wednesday's game. However, Atlanta is clicking offensively and the numbers reflect that.</p>
<p>The Hawks have scored 238 points in the last two outings making 92-173 field goal attempts. They have gone 26-52 from three-point range over that span and are 28-33 from the free throw line. A more telling stat is that they have 72 assists over the last two games as well. That means that just 20 field goals have been converted without an assist in their last two games.</p>
<p>The best part is that its not just one player but like Korver says is a collection of several. <span>Al Horford</span> has turned in back-to-back solid performances. <span>Paul Millsap</span> has been solid all season. <span>Jeff Teague</span> is starting to find his way and nearly got a triple-double against the Kings. Getting comfortable is a good thing and the Hawks are settling in at the offensive end of the floor.</p>
https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/12/19/5227098/kings-vs-hawks-kyle-korver-offenseKris Willis2013-12-18T18:30:03-05:002013-12-18T18:30:03-05:00Kings vs Hawks game thread
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<figcaption>Kevin C. Cox</figcaption>
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<p>The Atlanta Hawks look to sweep the season series from the Sacramento Kings when the two teams meet Wednesday night at Philips Arena. Discuss all of the action here:</p> <p></p>
<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><table cellpadding="5" align="center" border="1" cellspacing="5" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table"><tbody> <tr> <th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center">2014 NBA Regular Season Game 26</th> </tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center><center> <a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/1745335/kings.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Kings_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/1745335/kings_medium.gif"></a> <br id="1383311452377"><strong>(7-16)</strong> </center></center></td> <th width="20" align="center">vs</th> <td width="240"><center> <center> <a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/991577/hawkslogomedium.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Hawkslogomedium_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/991577/hawkslogomedium_medium.png"></a> <br id="1383957918576"><br> </center> <center><strong>(13-12)</strong></center> </center></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><strong>Wednesday, December 18, 2013</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" align="center"><strong>Philips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" align="center"><strong>7:30 p.m. </strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" align="center"><strong>SportSouth, 92.9 FM "The Game"</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center">Probable Starters</th> </tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right"><span>Isaiah Thomas</span></td> <th width="20" align="center">PG</th> <td width="240"><strong><span>Jeff Teague</span></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right"><span>Ben McLemore</span></td> <th width="20" align="center">SG</th> <td width="240"><strong><span>Kyle Korver</span></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right"><span>Rudy Gay</span></td> <th width="20" align="center">SF</th> <td width="240"><strong><span>DeMarre Carroll</span></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right"><span>Jason Thompson</span></td> <th width="20" align="center">PF</th> <td width="240"><strong><span>Paul Millsap</span></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right"><font color="#292929"><span><span>DeMarcus Cousins</span></span></font></td> <th width="20" align="center">C</th> <td width="240"><strong><span>Al Horford</span></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><strong>2013-14 Advanced Stats</strong></th> </tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right">96.34 (15th)</td> <th width="20" align="center">Pace</th> <td width="240">97.14 (11th)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right">101.6 (19th)</td> <th width="20" align="center">ORtg</th> <td width="240">102.8 (13th)</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240" align="right">104.8 (25th)</td> <th width="20" align="center">DRtg</th> <td width="240">102.0 (14th)</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
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https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/12/18/5222454/sacramento-kings-vs-atlanta-hawks-game-threadKris Willis2013-12-18T17:45:56-05:002013-12-18T17:45:56-05:00Hawks vs. Kings: Q&A with Sactown Royalty
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<figcaption>Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Greg Wissinger of SB Nation's Sactown Royalty answers some questions on the Kings' highly publicized newcomers, Isaiah Thomas, and what Sacramento's goals are for the rest of the season and beyond.</p> <p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a> are looking to complete a season sweep of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/">Sacramento Kings</a> on Wednesday night. The Kings have been one of the more discussed teams of the season thus far, mainly because of their activity in the trade market. They've acquired <span>Derrick Williams</span> and <span>Rudy Gay</span>, two controversial players who most agreed were in need of a fresh start. To answer questions on how the newcomers will fare with their new teammates and to discuss how roles have opened up for other incumbent players, <a href="https://twitter.com/gwiss">Greg Wissinger</a> of SB Nation's <a href="http://www.sactownroyalty.com">Sactown Royalty</a> provided us with some insight.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><b>Question: <span>Isaiah Thomas</span> has been getting a lot of buzz around the blogosphere lately. Everyone seemed pretty excited that the Rudy Gay trade would open up starting minutes for him. How has he been since the trade? Has he had an expanded role? How do you think he matches up with <span>Jeff Teague</span>?</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Answer:</b> <span>Isaiah Thomas was leading all NBA bench players in scoring before the trade, but more than just scoring, he was leading team in energy and effort. He and <span>DeMarcus Cousins</span> were the lone bright spots on the roster. Isaiah has a rough outing Tuesday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats">Bobcats</a>, but has generally been very good since moving to the starting lineup. His first game as a starter this season he had a career-high in assists. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>As for matching up with Teague, I’ll have to plead ignorance. I’m not as familiar with Teague as I should be. Hopefully your readers won’t hate me for that. But I know he’s good and he’s a guy I should watch more often than I do. If I had to guess, I’ll say that he’ll put up a pretty good stat line tonight. The Kings haven’t been able to slow down opposing guards at all this season. Isaiah will probably have a nice offensive stat line, but won’t be able to slow Teague.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Q: <span>Speaking of the Rudy Gay trade-- how does Gay fit with the Kings' current roster? Is he part of the long term future as a complementary piece to DeMarcus Cousins? What's been his immediate impact?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>A: </b><span>In the immediate term, he’s a massive upgrade for the Kings at small forward. He’s the best 3 the Kings have had since Ron Artest in 2008. And he’s made the Kings look better in his first few games, even if he hasn’t had a dramatic impact on the win-loss column. The Kings are a ways away from playoff contention still. Rudy isn’t the piece to put them over the top, but I don’t think he was acquired to be.</span><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Long term, I’d be surprised if Gay is a King. He has a player option next season, and while many folks think it’s impossible that he opts out of $19 million next year, he’s already gone on record saying the situation is a lot more important than the money. He could opt out to secure a long term deal. The Kings are building around DeMarcus Cousins, plain and simple. Gay’s future with the team depends on his willingness to accept a secondary or tertiary role, and how he fits with Cousins.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Q: <span>The Kings have been active in the trade market this season, acquiring both Gay and Derrick Williams. What are the Kings' goals for this season? The playoffs? Do you think there are more moves to come?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>A: </b><span>The Kings aren’t going to be a playoff team this year, and they don’t have illusions that they will be. Ownership, management and the coaches have all said that this season’s success won’t be measured in wins and losses. It’s about changing the culture. What you’re seeing is the current management freeing itself from the roster and culture of the past regime. I don’t think the Kings are done making moves. But even though a lot of people saw the Gay acquisition as a panic move, I don’t think the front office is making moves just to make moves. They’re making moves when the right opportunities come along. When another opportunity is right, there will be more moves. That could be tomorrow, at the deadline, or in the offseason. We know moves are coming, we just don’t know when.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span>Q: </span><span>Hypothetically, if I were to tell you the Kings won this game by 10 points, what would they have done differently in comparison to their usual play that enabled them to win?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>A: </b><span>The keys for the Kings is limiting turnovers and committing to defense. No earth-shattering secrets there, but the Kings have a lot more talent than their record indicates. DeMarcus Cousins is the team’s leader, but can’t do it alone. Isaiah Thomas needs to have a good game for the Kings to win. But more than anything it’s about the defense.</span><span> </span></p>
https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/12/18/5225370/hawks-vs-kings-q-a-with-sactown-royaltyDaniel Christian2013-12-18T10:00:02-05:002013-12-18T10:00:02-05:00Hawks look for season sweep of Kings
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<figcaption>Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Atlanta Hawks go for their second straight win and a season sweep of the Sacramento Kings when the two teams meet Wednesday night at Philips Arena. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a> look for their second straight win Wednesday night when they take on the <a href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sacramento Kings</a> at Philips Arena. The Hawks have won four of their last five games after Monday's 114-100 win over the <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Lakers</a>. Atlanta defeated the Kings in the first meeting this season 105-100 but this Sacramento team looks a bit different.</p>
<p>The Kings were the first team to jump into the trade season acquiring small forward <span>Rudy Gay</span> in a salary dump from the <a href="https://www.raptorshq.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto Raptors</a>. The move has given Sacramento a little more balance offensively and has paved the way for <span>Isaiah Thomas</span> to become the clear cut starter at the point guard position. Gay is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game after leaving Tuesday's loss to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Bobcats</a> early due to stiffness in his knee. The Kings fell 95-87 and dropped their record on the season to 7-16.</p>
<p>Since a stretch of five losses in six games, the Hawks have won four of five and are looking to climb above the .500 mark to stay. Atlanta enters Wednesday's game with a 13-12 record which is good for third in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta has gone 9-4 at home and is 5-1 over its last six.</p>
<p>If the Hawks are to win they will have to contend with <span>DeMarcus Cousins</span> who was frustrated and held in check in the first meeting. Cousins had just 11 points and six rebounds in 29 minutes in the first meeting with Atlanta. He spent most of the night in foul trouble and was visibly <a href="http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/11/7/5077324/dennis-schroder-suspended-nba-demarcus-cousins">upset about an incident with Dennis Schröder</a> that eventually led to a one-game suspension for the rookie.</p>
<p>Cousins is averaging a career-best 22.4 points per game while grabbing 11 boards a contest. He had 30 points, 17 rebounds and six assists in Tuesday's loss in Charlotte. Slowing him down will be a team effort for the Hawks with <span>Al Horford</span> called upon to do most of the heavy lifting.</p>
<p><span>Gustavo Ayon</span> has missed the last four games with an ankle injury and is listed as questionable against the Kings. Gay is the most notable injury for the Kings but <span>Carl Landry</span> won't play due to a hip injury.</p>
<h3>Game Info:</h3>
<p><b>Game date/time: </b>Wednesday, December 18, 7:30 p.m.</p>
<p><b>Location:</b> Philips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia</p>
<p><b>TV: No TV</b></p>
<p><b>Radio:</b> 92.9 FM "The Game"</p>
https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/12/18/5222422/kings-vs-hawks-preview-time-tv-radioKris Willis