Official Game Thread: Hawks at heat

[lethalweapon3]

“I saw all of that, too, but just RELAX, Trae! Lizzo is just a HUGE fan of yours!”

 

My gameday analysis is sorely lacking today, I must admit. Even more than usual.

My excuse? I slipped merrily down one of my favorite e-rabbit holes. I don’t really have to watch the news anymore to figure out what’s going on, because #FloridaMan has me covered, 24-7.

Here’s just a SAMPLE of what went down in the Sunshine State in the past 10 days, alone.

“#FloridaMan solicits inmate, offering car and thousands of dollars to kill four adversaries and feed them to pigs and alligators.”

“#FloridaMan hauls down highway with back car door open, since Christmas Tree wouldn’t fit.”

“#FloridaMan arrested after allegedly shoving girlfriend to mobile home floor, amid heated argument over impeachment hearings.”

“#FloridaMan punches #WalMartWoman for taking too long in line.”

“#FloridaMan accused of Making Whoopie with stuffed animals, including unicorn and Frozen toy (not a cold one, as far as I know, but Olaf from the movie) at Target.”

“#FloridaMan accused of mooching off mother’s Social Security… his DEAD mom’s Social Security... for 15 years.”

“#FloridaMan accused on going on theft spree, stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of Lego toys.”

“#FloridaMan accused of throwing pot of hot turkey soup at other #FloridaMan during argument over lipstick…” (Gotta do something with those leftovers!) “… before shoving man into kitchen cabinet.”

“#FloridaMan with GLORIOUS wispy hair thought he could go unnoticed as seasonal UPS worker, accused of stealing thousands in electronics deliveries.”

“#FloridaMan drunkenly crashes golf cart into a beachside bar.”

“#FloridaMan soars car Dukes-of-Hazzard style, 130 feet over parked cars at dealership, barely misses employee and showroom nearby.”

“#FloridaMan crashes pickup truck into Chuck E. Cheese’s, flees scene. No Skee-ball lanes harmed.”

 

It has been quite a 2019 for Our Hero.

“#FloridaMan harasses family with Coldplay lyrics (for the love of Nique, please, no!), causes standoff with cops, ends impasse in exchange for cops promising slice of pizza.” (MIGHT the two “pizza” events be related? I’m just asking!)

“#FloridaMan shoots, kills pet for escaping house, since he lacked permit for keeping zebra.”

“#FloridaMan accused of pressure washing his neighbor.”

“#FloridaMan, who owns an MTV Real World house, discovers there is still a Kmart somewhere, allegedly tries to con store for $300 in household goods, gets arrested one week after purchasing $8 million island.”

You get the gist.

There are plenty of times where #FloridaMan can come across as just goofy, misunderstood, misinformed or even fun-loving. But, my fellow North Americans, heed my warning. Do not, I BROTHER repeat, not, attempt NATURE to engage #FloridaMan in his habitat. One clout-seeking Internet star dared getting too close to #FloridaMan over the weekend, wanting some smoke, and for his troubles, he caught an L. And a R. Then another L. Then another R… Oh, deer.

#FloridaMan has had a clear favorite professional sports team over the past decade, and so long as team exec Pat Riley and coach Erik Spoelstra are still around calling the shots for the Miami heat (17-6; 10-0 at home), that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.

Tonight, at AmericanAirlines Arena (8 PM Eastern, Fox Sports Southeast and 92.9 FM in ATL, Fox Sports Sun… sorry! No TNT for now), our Atlanta Hawks have a chance to be the first NBA team this season to send #FloridaMan lurking back to his #FloridaManCave early. If so, do not follow #FloridaMan. Do not taunt #FloridaMan. #FloridaMan no likey.

I was dragging my feet all the way through the 5:30 injury report time because I was curious whether Bam Adebayo (upgraded from questionable to probable) would even play, after contusing his groin late during Sunday’s Herro-ic 110-105 comeback, overtime win over visiting Chicago. The heat have done well even without the defensive contributions of Justise Winslow (out tonight, back injury), who has been in and out of the lineup with ailments throughout this season. But having Adebayo on the floor with Jimmy Butler is essential for Miami (104.1 D-Rating, 9^th in NBA) to maintain defensive cohesion, particularly upfront.

Miami foes shoot 65.6 percent (4^th-highest in NBA) in the restricted area, a value that will sound pleasing to Jabari Parker, Damian Jones and Alex Len after the Hawks thrashed Charlotte (NBA-high 66.6 opp. restricted-zone FG%) on Sunday to the tune of 122-107. The trick is feeding them and others that close to the hoop, something Butler and the heat have been good at limiting (6^th-fewest opponent restricted-area FGAs).

Including DeAndre’ Hunter (probable, flu-like symptoms), Atlanta will likely have its full array of swingmen ready to go. Hopefully for the Hawks, Kevin Huerter (5 assists, 1 TO, 3-for-6 3FGs in 24 monitored minutes @ CHA), Cam Reddish, and Hunter (5 assists, 1 TO) can produce enough offensive synergy that, if Butler isn’t directly shadowing Trae Young (a ho-hum-for-him 30-and-9 @ CHA; 8-for-8 FTs), he won’t be able to spend much time helping rookie Kendrick Nunn.

Goran Dragic (strained groin) and Dion Waiters (injury report states, “Head, Sick”… No lies detected) remain on the shelf. Nunn (career-high 28 points @ ATL on Halloween; 34.0 FG%, 22.7 3FG% last 7 games) and reserve star Tyler Herro (16 of Miami’s final 18 points, incl 11 in OT vs. CHI) will try to match Trigger Trae shot-for-shot, especially if Butler (3-for-14 FGs, but 17-for-21 FTs vs. CHI) has another cool day from the floor. But the guards’ biggest responsibility will be keeping Young (7.5 FTA/game, 4^th in NBA East, two spots behind Butler) and Point Reddish / Point Huerter in front of them and out of the paint, a task that’s easier said than done if Butler (2.2 SPG, t-2^nd in NBA) finds himself occupied with helping pick off passes inside.

Spoelstra will need to keep the ailing Adebayo from having to patrol everything around the rim. Kelly Olynyk, and starters Duncan Robinson (3 steals vs. CHI; 42.5 3FG% this season) and Meyers Leonard, will be inclined to try matching Atlanta’s (interior) twos with threes. But they will need to be disruptive on defense, too, and make the Hawks (13 player TOs @ CHA) turnover-prone again.

This is a different cluster of Hawks than the ones that last visited Miami on October 29, a crew that needed John Collins’ 30 points, once Young went down early with an ankle injury, just to stay within 15 points of the hosts. The chemistry by coach Lloyd Pierce’s crew has improved of late, as well.

If Atlanta (up to 11^th in Pace) can push the tempo to a level that wears down Bam, and if the rookies can do a better job of guarding Butler without fouling, we could see #FloridaMan headed for the exits early in the fourth quarter. If the Hawks (6-17) close out the game with the same defensive assertiveness they displayed in Charlotte, #FloridaMan won’t be kicking at the doors trying to get back in for the final minutes.

Our Hawks are fortunate to have our very own pair of #FloridaMan tour guides on the roster. I hope Vince Carter has a fun-filled close to the NBA season and gets to kick back and retire peacefully. That is to say that I hope Vince chooses to spend his retirement years in Georgia. As far as I'm concerned, whenever it’s his time, Chandler Parsons can return home if he chooses. Just stay out of the headlines, please!

 

Let’s Go Hawks!

~lw3

[Spud2nique]

Fresh off the grill!!!! Yes sir! Thanks lw3! I kept refreshing the page. Now I’m gonna read it!  

[lethalweapon3]

As long as Darth's reasonably clothed behind that cape, we good.

~lw3

[Spud2nique]

10 minutes ago, lethalweapon3 said:

sorry! No TNT for now

They lifted us for Joke and Embiid though...I can’t be that mad  Nice game thread as usual lw3! Wow, lotta Florida man activity apparently . Gonna be nice to see the kids getting healthy all together. Hopefully if Hunter plays as you mentioned, and Huerter being back, should be a bit of relief for Trae who needs a little ball handling blow.

 

Heat -8 and o/u 218.5 is the current line.

 

Payback time to Herro and the rest tonight.

 

Go Hawks!

 

Edited December 11, 2019 by Spud2nique

[lethalweapon3]

BREAKING: #HalfFloridaManHalfAmazing makes good.

 

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

~lw3

[PSSSHHHRRR87]

I really hope Jimmy Butler is someone Cam can model his game after. I saw flashes of Jimmy during Cam’s 25-pt outing. Attacking the hoop, going after the ball, and calling his own number. The only differences currently between Cam & Jimmy is confidence, assertiveness, and experience.

[Buzzard]

Almost time to try and get another win.

[MaceCase]

I was wondering if they'd play that Star Wars music all night, thankfully it was only to the first Heat bucket.

[MaceCase]

TY, refs.  Jones bounced that off his size 16s

[Dnice]

Another locker room meltdown coming.what a damn mess this is.

[MaceCase]

Is that prime David Robinson?  Oh wait, it's not.

[Buzzard]

They can't keep shooting like this but we have to get mean on defense.

[hawkman]

We may have the Len from late last season back. And not a moment too soon.

[MaceCase]

wE cAn SHoOt tOo!

[TheNorthCydeRises]

Jimmy Butler still hasn't taken a shot yet.

[TheNorthCydeRises]

Bruno getting his mandatory 3 minutes.

[hawkman]

We got the Vince from last season back. 

[TheNorthCydeRises]

Vince feeling it . . . again.