Atl. Hawks vs. L.A. Lakers:Preview

[RAHMOR]

When the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks last met in February, a severely sprained ankle kept Kobe Bryant on the bench.

Bryant gets another chance to face a team he's struggled against when the Lakers take on the Hawks in Atlanta's home opener.

Bryant is averaging an NBA-best 36.3 points this season and has scored 30-plus points in four straight games dating to 2004-05. He had 24 points in his last game against Atlanta, a 106-90 Lakers victory on Nov. 7, but the Hawks have been one of the few teams he hasn't been able to consistently dominate.

In 12 games against Atlanta, Bryant has averaged 20.2 points and topped the 30-point plateau twice. Only three teams have held Bryant to lower scoring averages - the Boston Celtics (20.0), Detroit Pistons (19.5) and Cleveland Cavaliers (18.8).

Bryant had no such problems against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, scoring 37 points and adding eight rebounds and five assists to lead Los Angeles past Denver for the second time in three games, 112-92.

The Lakers forced 20 turnovers and outrebounded the Nuggets 46-32.

''We feel like we have a team that can do some things defensively and make our opposition extremely uncomfortable, and that is what we try to do,'' Bryant said. ''Defense is the key to winning ballgames in this league. It was a good all-around performance by us.''

Lamar Odom and Chris Mihm each added 20 points, and Mihm finished with a game-high 13 boards.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson, 2-1 in his return to the sidelines after a year off, was pleased at how his team got out of the gate early and finished strong. Los Angeles led by 14 points after the first quarter and ended the game on a 16-7 run.

''I liked the energy that we had to start the game,'' Jackson said. ''We got it going again in the third quarter and finished with inspirational play.''

The winless Hawks, who dropped their first four games in 2004-05 en route to finishing a league-worst 13-69, lost 94-93 to Portland on Saturday on Zach Randolph 's free throw with 0.2 seconds remaining.

Atlanta had a one-point lead entering the fourth quarter and rallied to tie the score on a layup by Joe Johnson with 17 seconds left.

Johnson had his finest effort in a Hawks uniform, totaling 23 points and seven assists, but made only two baskets in a final period that included several squandered opportunities by Atlanta to take the lead.

''It's frustrating but we had our chances,'' said Marvin Williams , who finished with two points before fouling out. ''We didn't execute and didn't get it done.''

Salim Stoudamire had 15 points for the second straight night after being held scoreless in his NBA debut.

The Hawks are 8-18 against the Lakers since 1991, but have won two in a row against Los Angeles at home.

[RAHMOR]

PROBABLE STARTERS:

Lakers

F Kwame Brown

F Odom

C Mihm

G Smush Parker

G Bryant

Hawks

F Harrington

F Josh Childress

C Zaza Pachulia

G Joe Johnson

G Tyronn Lue

STANDINGS (through Nov. 6):

Lakers - 2nd place (tied), 1 GB, Pacific Division.

Hawks - 4th place (tied), 3 GB, Southeast Division.

2004-05 SEASON SERIES: 1-1.

LAST MEETING: Feb. 7; Hawks, 114-108. At Atlanta, Antoine Walker and Tony Delk combined for 51 points as the Hawks took a 17-point lead into the half and hung on.

[Lascar78]

ok this is somewhat unrelated but does not deserve its own thread. The hawks have their first weekly rewind up

http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Hawks_Weekly...ind_110705.html

player of the week: JJ

quote of the week:

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"We really looked like a different team compared to the way we looked against Golden State and the Clippers. I think you really have to applaud all these guys for responding the way they did. Nobody pouted or whined about anything; they just played ball like we know we have to."

-- Hawks F Al Harrington, talking about the team's effort in the game against Portland Saturday night.

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Tyronne Lue predicts the season:

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1. NBA MVP: Kobe Bryant- "People count him out, but if he leads the Lakers to the playoffs, I think he may take the trophy home."

2. Rookie Of The Year: Chris Paul - "Paul is starting, so that will help, and he has a lot of pub coming into the league. Though I think Marvin and Salim can turn some heads."

3. Team That Will Surprise - The Hawks. "We get overlooked and people aren't expecting much from us, but we are going to show people a few things, just wait and see."

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Last, but certainly not least, look at this week's preview. Looks like the comedians who wrote skyhawk's blog against jay mohr is back at it:

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Nov. 8 vs LA Lakers | Tickets

The Hawks open their home slate with a marquee opponent as Kobe Bryant and the Lakers come to town. An unsuccessful run last year brought Zen-master Phil Jackson into the fold to try to work his magic once again. The Lakers are out to a good start, going 2-1 in their first three contests. Last season the Hawks beat the Lakers at home, winning .

Nov. 10 vs LA Clippers | Tickets

The Clippers have gotten out of the gate fast, winning their first three contests including a 92-77 victory over the Hawks on Friday.

This despite

missing Corey Maggette and Shaun Livingston and

having a player named Boniface Ndong. Seriously, that's his name.

Nov. 12 vs Memphis | Tickets

The season is early, but Memphis big man Pau Gasol is staking an early claim to an All-Star berth in the Western Conference. Sporting a bushy beard and long hair, Gasol has averaged 25.8 ppg in leading the Grizzlies to a 2-1 start. The Hawks will be looking to snap a four-game losing streak in the series.

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[RAHMOR]

Recap from last year's game

ATLANTA, Feb. 7 (Ticker) -- For the second time in as many days, the Los Angeles Lakers fell a little bit short on a comeback attempt.

The Lakers nearly erased a 29-point deficit against the Atlanta Hawks, who got 26 points from Antoine Walker and a season-high 25 from Tony Delk as they held on for a 114-108 victory.

Los Angeles has lost three in a row. It rallied from a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit at Houston on Sunday but suffered a 103-102 defeat.

The Hawks never trailed, starting the game with a 14-0 burst. Behind 11 first-quarter points by rookie Josh Childress, they held a 48-19 lead with 8:46 left in the second quarter.

Childress collected his first career double-double, recording season highs of 19 points and 11 rebounds.

The Lakers stormed back in the second half behind Lamar Odom, who scored a season-high 28 points, and reserve Tierre Brown, who added 13 of his career-best 27 in the fourth quarter. They closed to 98-97 with 3:19 remaining on a 3-pointer by Chucky Atkins, who scored 25 points.

But on the Hawks' next two possessions, Walker connected on a jumper and hit a cutting Boris Diaw, who dunked to push the lead back to 102-97. Delk sealed the victory by hitting eight free throws in the final minute.

Key Hawks player last performances against L.A. Lakers

J. Childress 19 pts. 11 reb. 8-10 shooting in 41 min

J. Johnson(w/PHO) 26 pts. 7 ast. 2 to. 10-19 shooting in 45 min

Z. Pachulia(w/MIL) 2 pts. 3 reb. 1-3 shooting in 13 min(non starting)

Neither Al Harrington, Josh Smith, or Ty Lue played in last Lakers game.

[Lascar78]

good stuff but you might want to give credit of where you took all of this.

I predict that we're up by more than 5 at the half, no idea what happens after that. I can't wait to go to the game

[RAHMOR]

Good idea about the credit, I'll do that from now on. You going to the game. Lucky you, I'll have to wait until Thursday.

[Lascar78]

well you know they do sell tickets... j/k

Actually I wonder if it's sold out given that it's the home opener and the lakers always draw a crowd. anyone know?

[skaughtybee]

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I predict that we're up by more than 5 at the half, no idea what happens after that. I can't wait to go to the game

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If the Hawks are up by more than 5 at the half - your halftime beer is on me. I have a funny feeling that the Lakers will start strong and Salim will lead a *gasp* 3rd quarter run.

[Lascar78]

Sweet!

Oh and here's more hype from hawks.com, TEN REASONS TO GO TO OPENING NIGHT:

10. Two words…Rubber Boy If you haven’t seen his halftime act, you gotta check it out. Admit it, you’ve often wondered if a person could fit themselves through a tennis racket!

9. Phil and Kobe, reunited. Last season was a lost cause for the Lakers, who brought back coach Phil Jackson from retirement to see if he can right the ship. Can he and Kobe get along this time around?

8. A-Town dancers. The Hawks dance team has been re-christened, and make their season-opening debut as well. Pretty sure you’ll like what they have planned.

7. Microwave, Jr. Salim Stoudamire is playing like he has a chip on his shoulder, wanting to show up all the teams that passed on him in the first round. So far he is off to a good start, scoring 15 points in each of his last two games. Watch for him to come off the bench and heat things up in a hurry!

6. Free stuff! Who doesn’t like something for free? Every fan through the turnstiles will receive a free t-shirt, courtesy of Philips Electronics and Brandsmart USA

5. TIVO. Thanks to everyone’s favorite recording device, you can tape all your favorite Tuesday night shows (I’m partial to My Name is Earl myself) and watch them, sans commercials, when you get home!

4. Two-For-Tuesdays. Presented by Aaron Sales and Lease Ownership, this promotion goes all season long and allows fans two buy two tickets ($25 or $45) for the price of one, subject to availability.

3. The shirts off their backs. The Hawks will be autographing their warm-up shirts and giving them out to select fans during the game!

2. Joe Johnson. Come and see what all the offseason fuss was about. Johnson (right) has averaged 16.7 ppg in the Hawks first three games, including a team-leading 23 in the last second loss to Portland on Saturday.

1. Remembering Jason. The Hawks will pay tribute to their teammate during the game as they honor the memory of a great teammate and person. The Hawks will wear black bands the entire season to commemorate Collier, who passed away Oct. 15.

Annnnd, your opening night quiz

It’s Opening Night!

With the 2005-06 NBA season about to begin, try your knowledge at Hawks’ season openers from the past.

By Jon Cooper

1. What year marked the last time the Hawks season opener and home opener were on the same night?

a. 1996

b. 1998

c. 2000

d. 2003

2. What was the last year the Hawks won their season opener?

a. 1998

b. 1999

c. 2000

d. 2002

3. Nicknamed “Pogo,” who was the 6-5 player who started at center for the Hawks on their first Opening Night in Atlanta in 1968?

a. Lou Hudson

b. Joe Caldwell

c. Bill Bridges

d. Walt Hazzard

4. Which team has Atlanta defeated the most on Opening Night?

a. Indiana

b. Washington

c. New Jersey

d. Cleveland

5. Who did Atlanta beat by their largest in an Opening Night victory?

a. New York

b. Washington

c. New Orleans

d. New Jersey

6. True or False: The Hawks have never played an overtime game on Opening Night.

7. Who has coached the Atlanta Hawks to the most Opening Night victories?

a. Mike Fratello

b. Lenny Wilkens

c. Hubie Brown

d. Cotton Fitzsimmons

8. Which Atlanta coach had the best winning percentage on Opening Night?

a. Mike Fratello

b. Lenny Wilkens

c. Kevin Loughery

d. Cotton Fitzsimmons

9. What is the Hawks’ longest Opening Night winning streak?

a. 2 in a row

b. 3 in a row

c. 5 in a row

d. 8 in a row

Which current Hawk was second on his team in scoring in last year’s Season Opener against Atlanta?

a. John Edwards

b. Tyronn Lue

c. Joe Johnson

d. Zaza Pachulia

BONUS: Name the four buildings the Atlanta Hawks have called their home arena since moving to Atlanta in 1968.

Answers:

1. c. The Hawks opened at home against the Charlotte Hornets, but lost, 106-82; 2. a. The strike-shortened season of 1998-99, Atlanta opened on Feb. 5 with a 100-83 victory against Cleveland; 3. B; 4. c. The Hawks have defeated New Jersey three times in five Opening Night meetings; 5. d. The Nets took it on the chin by 20, 131-111 on Nov. 1, 1986. Atlanta beat New Orleans by 18 in 1975, Washington by 17 in 1987, and New York by 17 in 1979; 6. False. Atlanta took Houston to overtime in the 2001 Opener and the New Orleans Hornets to an extra session in 2003, but lost both games.by five points; 7. a. Fratello won four times on Opening Night in his seven-year tenure (1983-84 through 1989-90). Wilkens, Brown, and Fitzsimmons each won three openers; 8. d. Fitzsimmons won three season openers in four tries (1972, ‘73 and ‘75) for a .750 winning percentage; 9. b. Atlanta beat New Jersey twice and Indiana by a combined 45 points over three seasons (1986-87 through 1988-89); 10. c. Johnson was second on the Suns to Amare Stoudamire, who scored 23, as Phoenix downed the Hawks, 112-82.

BONUS: Alexander Memorial Coliseum (1968-72), The Omni (1972-97), The Georgia Dome (1997-98), Philips Arena (1999-present).

[Hawkzzz21]

On the buildings question. Didn't we also play at the Thriller Dome (GT)(another alexander memorial), where it is showing us playing at the Georgia Dome?

[skaughtybee]

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On the buildings question. Didn't we also play at the Thriller Dome (GT)(another alexander memorial), where it is showing us playing at the Georgia Dome?

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Absolutely. I remeber attending a game there where Bobby Hurley got the business for showing his face again. He was a boy amongst men.

[Lascar78]

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On the buildings question. Didn't we also play at the Thriller Dome (GT)(another alexander memorial), where it is showing us playing at the Georgia Dome?

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It is the same alexander memorial coliseum. They just didn't get all the years right. We did indeed play there in the 90s too, I went to some.

EDIT: Yeah I just found this on the coliseum:

Tenants Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (NCAA)

Former Tenants Atlanta Hawks (NBA) 1968-1972, 1997-1999

Conference ACC

[GST]

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PROBABLE STARTERS:

Lakers

F Kwame Brown

F Odom

C Mihm

G Smush Parker

G Bryant

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I look at the Lakers starting lineup and see the Chicago Bulls part 2. The creme of the crop shooting guard, a versatile point forward, an athletic power forward who rebounds and defends well, and role players at point guard and center who know their roles. I don't know if Phil will succeed, but he is making the effort.

[Dragitoff]

I may get blasted for this but who is Smush Parker?