Official Game Thread: Hawks - Knicks

[lethalweapon3]

The Mike Woodson Job Conservation Tour continues tonight!

While the Atlanta Hawks honor Lenny Wilkens this evening at Philips Arena, more than a few New York Knick fans will be in attendance, surprised that another ex-Hawks coach still roams the sidelines for their team, particularly after losing in overtime at home to the Western Conference’s worst team going into the All-Star Break. It was the Manhattanites’ fifth loss in six games before the break.

Now, after their second loss in post-break three games, in double-overtime last night to the inferior Orlando Magic, and facing a daunting schedule next week, fans holding out hope that the Knicks (21-34) can make a 1999-style run into the postseason are watching tonight’s matchup with the Hawks (7:30 PM Eastern, SportSouth, MSG) very intently.

It’s the conclusion of a four-game road string for the Knickerbockers, interrupted by the distractions of trade-deadline speculation for guards Iman Shumpert and Beno Udrih, an untimely injury to Shumpert and, now, word directly from that NYC native Metta World Peace that he is working on a buyout deal. The Knicks may be working to buy out Udrih as well.

Much of the blame for the discord on the bench is directed to Woodson and his staid rotations, essentially for freezing out these veterans while also being slow to bring youngsters like Tim Hardaway, Jr. into the lineup.

In any event, these latest developments serve to level the playing field for the Hawks, losers of eight straight, seeking to avoid nine for the first time since the start of the 2005-06 season, a streak that ended when Al Harrington’s 34 points bested Dan Dickau’s Boston Celtics. Atlanta started out much better in the first half against the Detroit Pistons, but could not overcome the size disadvantages in the paint and the late lapses on offense.

The shorthanded Hawks get to host a Knicks team also playing a back-to-back but further hampered by injury, dissension, immaturity, and a superstar constantly prodded to convince everyone he has no designs on leaving the Big Apple anytime soon. Carmelo Anthony (27.8 PPG, 2^nd in NBA; career-highs 8.6 RPG, 41.7 3FG%, and 0.7 BPG) put up 44 points and 11 rebounds, largely for naught in last night’s 129-121 double-overtime loss in Orlando.

The extent of injuries in the frontcourt has directed most of his energies toward a stretch-4 role. Tyson Chandler and Amar’e Stoudemire have just recently returned from injuries and maladies, Chandler limping during the second overtime last night. Melo got little help defensively from his teammates at the wing spots, watching lotto rookie Victor Oladipo put up 30 points and 14 assists while Arron Afflalo added 32 points. Woodson didn’t give World Peace a chance. He employed MWP for less than 8 minutes last night, perhaps a final straw for the former defensive maven.

There’s no help likely to come for Anthony through the 2014 draft, either. The joy Hawks fans got from the Nets’ early demise is still experienced by fans of the Denver Nuggets, who get the Knicks’ draft spot thanks to the Melo trade made exactly three years ago today.

With World Peace and Udrih likely available only in an emergency until they’re bought out, Woodson will continue to lean on Pablo Prigioni to create havoc in an undersized swingman role, and he may look to Toure Murry to spell Raymond Felton. Rookie guard Tim Hardaway, Jr. is coming into his own as a scorer (18.0 PPG, 47.6 3FG% post-All-Star-break), but he’s a rookie, so of course Woody would rather not allot him the 45 minutes he logged last night. It doesn’t help that he struggles mightily as a defender. One positive development on the wing is J.R. Smith (15.1 PPG, 43.2 3FG% this month) finally beginning to find his range.

Woodyball remains a slow-paced affair. The Knicks are at their best when they’re not pressured into turnovers (13.8 per 100 possessions, 3^rd lowest in NBA), with Felton driving inside to open up perimeter shooters, and getting the ball to Carmelo, if nothing opens up, near the end of the clock to make a play. On the other end the Knicks do well when they pressure ballhandlers without gambling and fouling, and then boxing out (75.6 defensive rebounding percentage, 7^th in NBA) to limit extended possessions.

Paul Millsap (23 points, most in his last six games) was a little banged up during that superb second quarter last night in Detroit, DeMarre Carroll says his hamstring remains a little weak. Head Coach Mike Budenholzer will look to the returning Jeff Teague (ankle) to return and push the pace against Felton, and for more offensive boost from Mike Scott (season-high 20 points on 9-for-16 shooting vs. Detroit) and Cartier Martin, the latter likely thrilled to stick with the roster for the remainder of the season. Felton struggled in both November outings to contain Teague, the latter leading the Hawks in scoring on both occasions (25 and 16 points).

Kyle Korver picks his spots as well as just about anybody, but it will be interesting to see if he passes up fewer shot opportunities to keep the Hawks competitive. Atlanta is 6-1 when Korver’s usage rate is 18.0% or higher, the sole loss coming at Madison Square Garden back in December. Only Jared Cunningham (10.4% of team plays) has a lower usage rate on the team than Korver (13.6%).

Go Hawks!

~lw3

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[GrimeyKidd]

Cunningham waived; C Dexter Pittman signed to ten day contract

[Pacman21]

No Millsap tonight

[IheartVolt]

No Millsap tonight

The tank is on hard

[GrimeyKidd]

Starters are teague korver carroll scott brand

[GrimeyKidd]

http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/dexter_pittman/index.html?nav=page

[GrimeyKidd]

[YouTubehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obA-0cvyIRg&feature=youtu.be

Edited February 23, 2014 by GrimeyKidd

[Guest]

Teague out..wait he's back

[Guest]

Answer to trivia question is don Nelson and pat Riley ..my guess

[Guest]

MIKE SCOTT!!!!! Yeeeaaaahhhhyyyaaa

[GrimeyKidd]

Let em eat

[Alex]

I think it's safe to say this team is done winning.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sothron]

The last month plus of the season is going to be brutal to watch.

[capstone21]

Injuries have devastated us but I will say that mike Scott was the steal of last seasons draft

[Ryaan]

Said it last night, gunna say it again, Mike Scott is the Chandler Parsons from the 2012 draft

[DrReality]

He'll of a comeback. Scott is on fire

[HawkItus]

Is this team tough or what?!Sent from my LG-MS770 using Tapatalk

[Dnice]

get in the bonus.

[capstone21]

How bad are the Knicks? I don't think Woody is long for his job

[HawkItus]

Mike Jomnes!Sent from my LG-MS770 using Tapatalk