Game 79: Atlanta VS New York

[gsuteke]

VS

AKA

@

The Good Guys

The Bad Guys

ESPN.com Hawks/Knicks Preview

The Atlanta Hawks, trying to hold on to a playoff spot, will face a couple of tough opponents down the stretch. A daunting schedule hasn't stopped the lowly New York Knicks from playing their best basketball of the season.

With four games remaining in the regular season, the Hawks look to take advantage of a matchup with the Knicks when the teams meet Friday night.

New York (23-56) has the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference and it's probably too late to save coach Isiah Thomas' job, but the team has matched a season high with three straight wins. Two of those victories were against division winners Detroit and Orlando.

The Magic are one of four teams left on the Hawks' schedule, as is East-leading Boston. Atlanta (36-42) has a two-game lead over Indiana for the final playoff spot in the East, and both teams have four games remaining.

The Hawks had a chance to secure the tiebreaker advantage over the Pacers on Tuesday night, but lost 112-98 to Indiana.

"We just have to put this game behind us and come out Friday and play better," Atlanta forward Marvin Williams said. "In order for us to hold on to the eighth seed, which we have had for a while now, we have to play with a sense of urgency over these last four games and we can't afford to get complacent."

The Hawks lost for just the fourth time in 14 games despite getting 30 points from Joe Johnson, who is averaging 28.0 in his last four games. Josh Smith added 25 points and 13 rebounds for Atlanta.

Johnson has posted 24.3 points a contest against New York this season, leading the Hawks to wins in each of the teams' three games.

All of those matchups came during the Knicks' 2-17 stretch from Feb. 29-April 4, but they have since bounced back to win three straight to assure themselves of avoiding the first 60-loss season in franchise history. New York has not won four in a row since a six-game run from Jan. 2-13, 2006.

"Finally the spirit of the team is good. The camaraderie of the team is good," Thomas said. "I just think that they're a team now."

Fred Jones made the go-ahead 3-pointer with 3:47 left and scored 15 points as the Knicks beat Charlotte 109-107 on Wednesday night. New York has also matched a season high with three straight wins at Madison Square Garden.

"We want to play as well as we can every night," Jones said. "Of course it's too late to make the playoffs, but it's not too late for us to play well."

Jamal Crawford, who averages a team-best 20.7 points, scored 39 in a 114-109 loss to the Hawks on March 30.

It's on tonight Boys as the Hawks travel to New York desperate for a win with Isiah Thomas and the New York Knickerbockers waiting

Isiah ALWAYS killed the Hawks

Can You Smell what Isiah is Cooking?!?!

Only Knick fans need to worry about this Isiah

Hey Isiah How did that Curry trade work out for you?

Hey Isiah, what do you think your chances are of making the playoffs over the next 10 years?

Speaking of Crazy MoFo's did LB really administer the SHOCKER to Francis and Starbury?

You'll run across some crazy ish on the internet sometimes

This leaves even I speechless

That is one Mean Little Midget

I'm telling you... flexibility is UNDERRATED in my opinion!

Of all the unemployed Broadway Actresses in NYC they pick these skanks?

Speaking of Silly do People actually Pay Money for Crap like this?

Hey Knicks fan tell me what you think about Isiah Thomas

Seriously, do these Clowns Scare Anyone?

No Comment Necessary

Hawks fans, this W is my gift to you

Knick Fan Wet Dream #1

Knick Fan Wet Dream #2

Isiah Thomas on a Plane with a One Way Ticket

Speaking of Tickets

Mike Woodson.... You're on the Clock

Viva la Hawks!

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[gsuteke]

Not my best work but even a slightly overcooked Filet Mignon beats Flank steak every day of the week and twice on Friday.

[dalamchops]

rofl that Isaiah gif is hilarious

[Deeman]

if we win tonight it will be the 1st time in franchise history that we we swept NY

[DJlaysitup]

I love the fillet..

[gsuteke]

Quote:

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I love the fillet..

Thank you.

I made this one for you and Rick & The Aussies

[Rick]

Quote:

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Quote:

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I love the fillet..

Thank you.

I made this one for you and Rick & The Aussies

Thanks mate, love your work!

[DJ_Money]

Joe...

[JackB1]

JOE is ON FIRE!!!!

[mrhonline]

Philly really struggling, but staying in the game. A good sign for the 2nd half.

[mrhonline]

Every time I hear Zaza's name, I expect to hear the word 'punch.'

Don't know why.

[DJ_Money]

NY is killing us on the offensive boards. Zaza isn't helping.

Fortunately, that's about the only thing they're doing well...

[Sage11]

LoL

I needed that. Great post.

[JackB1]

Bibby looks like he's Back!!!! Great News!

[mrhonline]

Quote:

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NY is killing us on the offensive boards. Zaza isn't helping.

Fortunately, that's about the only thing they're doing well...

Teams that jack up a lot of threes tend to get more off. rebs. than other teams.

They also tend to give up a lot of fast breaks, too.

[AHF]

No game links anymore, right?

Nice thread, btw!

[AHF]

Quote:

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Quote:

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NY is killing us on the offensive boards. Zaza isn't helping.

Fortunately, that's about the only thing they're doing well...

Teams that jack up a lot of threes tend to get more off. rebs. than other teams.

They also tend to give up a lot of fast breaks, too.

The Knicks are just squeezably soft. Thank goodness Isiah Thomas isn't running the show here in Atlanta!

[exodus]

Kenny Smith called JJ Joe Smith at least 5 times that half. That is pretty horrible from someone who is supposed to know the game.

Nice to see JJ come out hot and Bibby actually hitting shots. Bibby's passing is still annoying though. That last pass to Horford led him right into trouble and was pretty much uncatchable.