Official Game Thread: Hawks - Wizards

[lethalweapon3]

Welp… you can’t win ‘em all. But you can still win a lot.

Yes, we know we cannot call them the HaWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWks anymore.

But when was the last time we could call the team AtLLanta?

Winning streaks of any size coming to an end can be a bit of a bummer, and Monday’s streak-busting loss by the Atlanta Hawks in New Orleans was no exception. But there’s at least one little run the Hawks extended simply by showing up for tip-off against the Pelicans.

Beginning with a November 21 home win over Detroit, the Hawks have not lost two consecutive games. That’s a stretch of 39 NBA games, the longest string without a losing “streak” of two or more games in franchise history, eclipsing the 1996-1997 Hawks’ run of 38 games. Only two other editions of the Atlanta Hawks (1985-86 with 34, 1987-88 with 30) ever went that long without dropping two in a row.

Atlanta can stretch their run to 40 games (and counting) with a win tonight at the Highlight Factory against the Washington Wizards (7:30 PM Eastern, SportSouth, CSN Washington). Win or lose, tonight’s 50^th game will allow the 2014-15 Hawks (40-9) to approach the 1996-97 team’s run of 64 games without a three-game losing streak.

Speaking of three-game losing streaks, the Wizards (31-18) have lost three straight and five of their last seven games, the sole wins coming against the reeling Nuggets (in overtime) and Lakers. They lost twice at home in overtime to the Thunder and the Raptors, then lost at home to the Kemba-less Hornets in regulation.

Second in the Southeast Division, Washington needs a victory tonight in Atlanta just to avoid losing the season series and falling to ten games behind the Hawks (with 32 left to play) and a mediocre 5-5 in the division. It wasn’t supposed to work this way.

The way it was supposed to work, LeBron James’ departure from South Beach and Paul Pierce’s arrival from Uprock Country was supposed to make the Wizards, after reaching the playoffs with 44 wins for just the first time in six seasons, the clear class of the Southeast Division. Unless, of course, Lance Stephenson and the Hornets had anything to say about it.

The way it was supposed to work, John Wall (NBA-leading 10.2 APG; probable for tonight despite migraines and a sore foot) was going to secure his place in the upper pantheon of MVP candidates. Then, Bradley Beal (career-high 44.6 3FG%) would come back from wrist surgery and join with Wall to form The Greatest Starting Backcourt in the East, without peer.

Then, Martell Webster would return from back surgery hitting shots from the parking lot, his resurgence and Otto Porter’s naturally improved play allowing Paul Pierce to get some quality rest ahead of the postseason. Similar deal with Kevin Seraphin’s emergence allowing Nene to take some pressure off of his foot. Fresh from inking a five-year, $60 million contract, the mohawked soon-to-be-31-year-old Marcin Gortat would be a steady and reliable presence in the middle. Bada-boom, bada-bing, come May the Wizards would be wrangling with the Bulls and the Cavaliers to come out of the Eastern Conference for The Finals.

An All-Star for the second-straight year, Wall has been unable to expand his range (30.1 3FG%, down from 35.1% last season, despite a career-high 49.3 2FG%), but otherwise has held up his end of the bargain, particularly as a perimeter defender. Opponents’ effective field-goal percentage drops to 47.6%, from 51.0%, when Wall steps on the floor.

As for his teammates? Beal has struggled to keep talented opponents from turning drives into layup drills. 37-year-old Pierce is playing despite a notoriously stubborn toe injury, and while his 17.2 points per-36 is a career-low for him, it ranks second on his team and just a shade behind Wall’s 17.5. Nene has been a defensive stalwart (95.6 opponent points per 100 possessions, 2^nd among NBA big men), but his mobility continues to be a concern due to recurring foot issues. His 11.1 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 0.4 BPG are at/near his lowest averages in seven seasons.

Gortat could probably use a Snickers, for he hasn’t been himself in awhile. He has shaved off his mohawk, trying anything he can think of to halt a hair-razing downturn in his performance. Gortat is struggling at both ends of the floor, unable to contain on pick-and-rolls and unable to be a factor on offense either. He’s combined for 2-for-9 FGs, six points and nine boards in his last two games.

Defensive collapses from Gortat and Beal were evident when Atlanta put up 120 points in regulation (on 34 assists; no Washington opponent has had 30) during the Wizards’ last visit to Philips Arena on January 15, eight different Hawks scoring in double-figures followed by the injured Thabo Sefolosha’s nine points. And they’ve continued lately, the Wizards’ defensive rating during their past six games rising from 99.9 to 103.2.

Throw in the Polish Hammer’s 47.4 FT% in January, and it’s reached a point where Wizards coach Randy Wittman is reaching in the tool box for soon-to-be-30-year-old Kris Humphries (12.6 PPG, 11.8 RPG in his last five games; zero blocks in his last ten) to come through in the fourth quarters. For Wall to remain in the MVP discussion by season’s end, he must figure out a way to make teammates like Gortat and Nene better.

At the onset of Free Agency 2013, while the Hawks were knocking on Paul Millsap’s door, Wiz GM Ernie Grunfeld was begging Webster not to skip town. Unfortunately, Webster (24.1 FG%, 20.0 3FG%) has struggled with injuries since his stellar 2012-2013 season and looks like a guy who’s ready to retire sooner than even he originally planned. Rasual Butler was a pleasant surprise pickup at the start of the season, but since the January 11 game in Atlanta he’s regressed to being, well, Rasual Butler (last 13 games: 4.9 PPG, 36.1 FG%, 23.5 3FG%). Those developments plus Pierce’s tenuous health have made it impossible to continue stashing Otto Porter (last four games: 9.8 PPG, 53.8 FG%, 62.5 3FG%). Porter has shot the ball well but must continue to show defensive improvements.

As for the other reserves? Hopefully Andre Miller isn’t peeved, but the backup veteran point guard logged his first DNP of the season on Monday. He’ll be rested and ready to go after a pair of ineffective games versus Atlanta this season. Garrett Temple provides a defensive change-of-pace from Beal, earning himself a recent uptick in playing time, but he’s been a Temple of Doom for Washington on the other end of the floor.

Wittman may not even know veteran forwards Drew Gooden and DeJuan Blair are on the roster. Kevin Seraphin continues to struggle on defense, but the big man at least still has his masterful jump hook (70.7 FG% on hook shots, 42.0 FG% on jumpshots and layups). All-in-all, the backup players (aside from Humphries) haven’t found ways to fit in either amongst each other or with the starters, and it’s exacerbated Washington’s problems.

Wall (2.0 SPG, 5^th in NBA) is just about the only Wizard forcing turnovers from opponents. Since January 1, Washington’s 12.3 opponent turnovers per 100 possessions ranked second-lowest in the league, ahead of only the Pelicans. Their 12.7 PPG off turnovers since January 1 are 3^rd-lowest, behind New Orleans and Brooklyn.

Wall enjoys absorbing charge calls, but his fans are clamoring that all the associated contact (with the opponent and the floor) is probably contributing to his headache issues. Plus, generating those types of turnovers don’t allow Wall to do what he does best: running the floor in transition. The Wizards’ 15.8 PPG on fastbreaks are second-most in the East since January 1. But Wall needs some of his floor mates to step up.

The Hawks have enough defensive issues of their own to work through. The Pelicans were just the third opponent in Atlanta’s past 26 games to shoot .500 or above (exactly .500, in New Orleans’ case) from the floor. The Pelicans also produced the most assists by a Hawks opponent (30) in two months while getting nearly a third of their 52 rebounds on the offensive end.

Sefolosha was vital off the bench for not only forcing turnovers and tough shots out of the opposition but also beating teams down the floor for buckets at the other end. DeMarre Carroll (four steals vs. WAS on both Nov. 25 and Jan. 11) expects to play a full game, particularly useful against Pierce, but the health of his Achilles will be fully monitored.

Kent Bazemore and Kyle Korver must continue to use active hands to pry the ball free from Washington, then force them to run the full court as Jeff Teague (3.8 points per-36 off TOs, 3^rd most in the East), Paul Millsap (3.6 points per-36 off TOs, 5^th in East), Dennis Schröder, and Bazemore finish on the other end of the floor.

The Hawks only coughed up the ball six times against New Orleans on Monday, but failed to finish around the rim (19-for-41 FGs within five feet) or around the perimeter (31.8 3FG%). They helped the Pelicans’ cause by getting away from their trademark ball-sharing ways after the first-quarter, where they shot just 33.3 FG%. The percentage of assisted Hawks baskets dwindled from 62.5% in the first quarter to 41.7% in the final quarter. The ball-control-friendly Shelvin Mack (ankle sprain) won’t be available again tonight, so it’s on Teague and Schröder to make sure the ball keeps moving.

If the Hawks play tonight like it’s the most important game of the week, they should be capable of keeping the losing streak at one.

Let’s Go Hawks!

~lw3

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[Guest]

Great thread as usual lw3!!! The Wiz present a similar problem for us as the Pelicans did. Two big dudes that can board. Keep the polish weiner and Maybyner off the glass...:-)

GO HAWKS!!!!

[Admin]

I think we can still firmly place the blame for the loss to the Pels on lethal and his creepy king cake mascot! 

 

Oh and great thread as always! 

[Guest]

@lethalweapon3 Not sure if I've ever asked this but are you a fan of the Lethal Weapon movies or just Melvin Gibby and/or Daniel Glover? Or maybe it has nothing to do with that at all. Lol

[Guest]

I blame @Dejay - I think he relented and watched the game live (his wife forbade him to watch for fear of jinxing the winning streak).  Didn't see him in chat after the game and he hasn't posted since.

[lethalweapon3]

@lethalweapon3 Not sure if I've ever asked this but are you a fan of the Lethal Weapon movies or just Melvin Gibby and/or Daniel Glover? Or maybe it has nothing to do with that at all. Lol

 

Actually, it's neither (although Gibson freaks me out and I know Danny much better as 'Mister').

 

It was this trio that helped draw me to the ATL (and multiple attempts at this grad school thingie) way back in the day:

 

 

http://www.theshadowleague.com/articles/lethal-weapon-3-the-legendary-trio-who-was-must-see-tv

 

~lw3

[DJlaysitup]

Great stuff as usual lw3 :-)

 

Time for our Hawks to win a hard-fought contest.

 

GO HAWKS !!

 

(p.s. - as much as I have criticized the ASG - at least they aren't dumb enough to get caught piping in crowd noise   LOL at the Falcons  )

[benhillboy]

The firing of Mike Malone and the waiving of Josh were juicy stories as far as early controversy, the Cavs trade made a little noise. I think it's time for another bold move: would the Wizards front office consider firing Whittman if they get run off the floor again tonight? They were expected to control this division, right?

[Guest]

DMC's MRI results - clean.

[Guest]

Hawks starting 5 named 'player' on the month for January!!!!

 

Didn't know that was possible.  An NBA first.

Edited February 5, 2015 by JayBirdHawk

[benhillboy]

Hawks starting 5 named 'player' on the month for January!!!!

Didn't know that was possible. An NBA first.

Who determines the award? Whoever it was I'd like to shake their hand, that was too cool.

The telecast noted all starters in double figures for the month. I can't believe that's a first, but there had to be something historically notable about their stats.

We all know it hurts Bud to smile but he had to crack a big cheese for this honor, notably for DeMarre.

On a side note, Dennis might apply for part ownership of the Wizards. They almost look afraid of him.

Edited February 5, 2015 by benhillboy

[diamond_dave]

Oh no. Another special guest in the second quarter. I'm tired of this much less a NASCAR guy....

[benhillboy]

Oh no. Another special guest in the second quarter. I'm tired of this much less a NASCAR guy....

You know until you mentioned it I never really paid any attention to them. They are bad and usually awkward.

[Admin]

Actually, it's neither (although Gibson freaks me out and I know Danny much better as 'Mister').

 

It was this trio that helped draw me to the ATL (and multiple attempts at this grad school thingie) way back in the day:

 

 

http://www.theshadowleague.com/articles/lethal-weapon-3-the-legendary-trio-who-was-must-see-tv

 

~lw3

 

Nonsense. That's not why you use that name!

 

Oh no. Another special guest in the second quarter. I'm tired of this much less a NASCAR guy....

 

You know that @Hotlanta1981 is gonna be fired up for Kyle Busch! :saythat:

Hawks starting 5 named 'player' on the month for January!!!!

 

Didn't know that was possible.  An NBA first.

 

You sure? I think the 2004 (or 2005?) Pistons had that one time. 

[Ruckus]

Actually, it's neither (although Gibson freaks me out and I know Danny much better as 'Mister').

It was this trio that helped draw me to the ATL (and multiple attempts at this grad school thingie) way back in the day:

http://www.theshadowleague.com/articles/lethal-weapon-3-the-legendary-trio-who-was-must-see-tv

~lw3

YEAHHHHH BUDDDYYYY!!!!!!!!

[Dnice]

Hawks gotta get themselves together.

[Admin]

This is awesome!

 

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[diamond_dave]

One of the Wiz coaches look like they got knocked the ***** out. Huge black eye....

OH MY. MIKE SCOTT JUST SLAMMED SO HARD ON BEAL!!!! Paul Pierce reaction from the bench is an instant classic gif if someone can get it!

Edited February 5, 2015 by diamond_dave

[Dnice]

Ok guess the lead was large enough.

Edited February 5, 2015 by Dnice

[Jody23]

Great win! On to the next one.