Official Game Thread: Hawks at Timberwolves

[lethalweapon3]

Looks like SOMEBODY got everything they wanted!

 

Still on the road, so nothing fancy for tonight’s contest between the Atlanta Hawks and the Minnesota Timberwolves (8:00 PM Eastern, Fox Sports Southeast and 92.9 FM in ATL, Fox Sports North in MSP). No Dwight (back), but Junior (groin) is probable, upgraded from earlier today. Atlanta (15-15) hopes to stretch their ref-aided road winning streak to five, and get a measure of payback in Minnesota (9-21).

The Wolves dropped to 5-10 on the road with a 112-100 Christmas Night loss in OKC, but their record at the Target Center has been even more off-target (4-11).

Hopefully, the Hawks play with more energy than they showed (also without Dwight) during their 92-84 loss at Philips Arena last Wednesday, especially in the opening half (Wolves 49-44) and the final quarter (Wolves 25-15). Kris Humphries could be key for the Hawks to avoid getting thoroughly outrebounded by Minnesota as they were last week (52-35) in Atlanta.

Coach Tom Thibodeau only played eight Wolves last week, and expect a short roster again tonight, after 11 players saw action last night.

Let’s Go Hawks!

~lw3

 

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Edited December 26, 2016 by lethalweapon3

[mtnbayou]

I'd like to see more Humphries and Scott over Muscala.  Moose rebounds like a frail guard.   Go Hawks!

[benhillboy]

I just realized the Wolves lost Pekovic for the year.  I knew something was missing from their squad.  Towns would be beasting even more if he were there.

We can't get swept by these cats 2 years in a row now.  Let's Go.

[Lurker]

Even with Horford this team was bad defensively on the perimeter.

Without him it's just a total catastrophic dumpster fire on the perimeter. And it doesn't look like Bud has any answer to it.

[Thomas]

Defending the three is just such a learning disability with us right now. Over and over. Feels like we're up against K-Love and company tonight. Jeepers. 

[Thomas]

So I guess all hell has truly broken loose because Bud actually has both Kris and Prince getting minutes on the floor.

[Plainview1981]

There isn't a player on this team that is worth a bucket of spit.

[NBASupes]

I am glad Dwight is back. He's a super tanker

[Lurker]

There just isn't a fix at all to this defensive issue (a pile of rhythm threes given up) unless Bud swallows his pride totally.

When teams attack from the side, they force the team to be a helping defense and they're a horrible, horrible helping defense. They are way waaayyyy too slow with rotating and I could tell comparing their efforts vs Cleveland at defending the 3 point jumper to Toronto. Toronto was quick enough to have them off but the Hawks were really slow. It was a problem with Horford but he helped hide it a bit. It's totally exposed now and completely unfixable unless a bunch of guys just get cut.

[Peoriabird]

15 minutes ago, Hotlanta1981 said:

There isn't a player on this team that is worth a bucket of spit.

Got to be the players..not the superstar coach!

[Gray Mule]

Dwight Howard is back.

Hawks lose the one sided game.

Go figure.

 

[SalvorMallow]

lol @ Hump with 12-5-2 in 10 mins but somehow can't see the floor over -25 in 18 mins Muscala.  Bud really needs to wise up on these rotations.

[Peoriabird]

4 minutes ago, Gray Mule said:

Dwight Howard is back.

Hawks lose the one sided game.

Go figure.

 

Face it guys...Bud is overrated as a coach!  Most coaches don't need a team of all stars to beat the Wolves

[Thomas]

3 minutes ago, SalvorMallow said:

lol @ Hump with 12-5-2 in 10 mins but somehow can't see the floor over -25 in 18 mins Muscala.  Bud really needs to wise up on these rotations.

Yeah, Moose and Korver take those unflattering honors tonight. Both were minus a bunch.

[Lurker]

Just now, Peoriabird said:

Face it guys...Bud is overrated as a coach!  Most coaches don't need a team of all stars to beat the Wolves

There's another thing that y'all need to admit, Dwight Howard should be renamed to Empty Stats.

Is it all on him, no it's not. But he does not fit what this team needs. The wing players are reduced to being non impact because they have to be spoonfed by the bigs to thrive. And Horford was the only reason why the perimeter defense wasn't the worst in the league. It was bad with him and now it's worst in the league.

There is significant roster turnover coming even if the team tries to stay medium build. The only guys that I'd say are safe are Dennis and the two draft rookies.

[Peoriabird]

1 minute ago, Lurker said:

There's another thing that y'all need to admit, Dwight Howard should be renamed to Empty Stats.

Is it all on him, no it's not. But he does not fit what this team needs. The wing players are reduced to being non impact because they have to be spoonfed by the bigs to thrive. And Horford was the only reason why the perimeter defense wasn't the worst in the league. It was bad with him and now it's worst in the league.

There is significant roster turnover coming even if the team tries to stay medium build. The only guys that I'd say are safe are Dennis and the two draft rookies.

Ummm..they lost to the Wolves twice last year too with Horford!

[Lurker]

The Hawks needed a Tyson Chandler type much more than a guy like Dwight Howard.

[Lurker]

3 minutes ago, Peoriabird said:

Ummm..they lost to the Wolves twice last year too with Horford!

Put in a better effort though. There's no hiding it, the wings on this team miss Horford HORRIBLY.

[NBASupes]

1 minute ago, Lurker said:

Put in a better effort though. There's no hiding it, the wings on this team miss Horford HORRIBLY.

Agree. I am starting to like Dwight. I want us to tank and Dwight will lead the way.

[Sothron]

Dwight goes a perfect 9 for 9 for 20 points and 12 rebounds and people still want to talk smack about him. Hilarious. Horford homers be Horford homers.