Official Game Thread: Hawks at Hornets

[lethalweapon3]

Back before Trae, LP, and John, there was…

 

Tidbits!

• The Atlanta Hawks hosted three disappointing games over the prior seven days against fellow non-Bubble teams, but all were consecutive fourth-games-in-six-nights. After a couple days off to reset, practice, and engage in some intriguing film sessions, will the Hawks use their rest advantage to pay back the Charlotte Hornets (CORRECTION: 7:00 PM Eastern, Fox Sports Southeast, 92.9 FM in ATL)?
• The Hornets (4-5) return home triumphantly after slow-boiling the Pelicans in a primetime Big Ball Brother bash last night in N’Awlins. Coming off his career-high 44 on Wednesday in Atlanta, Gordon Hayward rediscovered his groove in the fourth quarter yesterday with 22 of his team-high 26 points arriving in the second half.
• Maybe Road is where the Heart is? In the early going, 12 NBA clubs have winning road records, as many as the clubs with winning home marks. Atlanta’s 1-3 at The Farm, the sole victory nearly fumbling away a 20+ point lead to Detroit, while they’re 3-1 so far on the road, the sole loss a competitive one in Brooklyn. Charlotte would like to not only zip past the Hawks (4-4) in the standings today, but also even up their 1-2 record at Spectrum Center like they did their road record (3-3; 2 back-to-back losses at home-dominant Philly) in New Orleans. The Hornets’ biggest margin of victory (+18) so far came at Lukaland.
• Charlotte had two strong performers off the bench yesterday, in “Sky Miles” Bridges (20 points @ NOP, 4-for-6 3FGs plus a bunch of highlight-reel jams) and the triple-double-hunting LaMelo Ball (10 boards, 9 assists @ NOP), who looked way more comfy running the floor than his big bro 'Zo. If the Hawks keep their starting unit intact, they could use a stronger 1-2 bench punch from wings Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kevin Huerter (5-for-12 3FGs, 6 assists, 1 TO vs. CHA on Wed.).
• Bogi has had more time to heal up his once-stiff ankle and must be a better finisher on plays inside the 3-point arc (38.9 FG%). Huerter (112.8 D-Rating) has been Atlanta’s most susceptible defender so far, especially on occasions when his help defense (team-high 1.3 SPG) doesn’t create turnovers, the Hawks don’t rotate, and opponents find open teammates in their comfort zones easily. Reinforcements may be coming in the next couple weeks, including Tony Snell (questionable for today, foot). But for now, Bogi and Reddy V must be two cylinders properly firing.
• A listless effort from Trae Young (6 of his 7 TOs in the 1^st half on Wed.) and the Hawks’ starters on Wednesday (1-for-18 combined 3FGs vs. CHA) created a first-half hole (27-11 after one quarter, 59-40 after two) that could not be overcome. Their poor execution, and inability to get to the free throw line, obscured Atlanta’s ability to hold the Hornets to 30.7 3FG% at the other end.
• It’s hard to tell the Hawks’ perimeter defense is the league’s most effective (NBA-best 30.0 opponent 3FG%). Opponents are finding the interior chances they need when Cam Reddish and De’Andre Hunter are shielding outside shooters, which is the bad side of the 19 rebounds (13 defensive) that made their way into Clint Capela’s capable hands. Whether it’s drawing charges, winning 50/50 balls, or aggressively pressuring ballhandlers at the point of attack, Atlanta needs to force more stops (12.5 opponent TOs per-48, 4^th-lowest in NBA; 1 paltry team block vs. CHA on Wed) on a regular basis, particularly when the ball makes its way inside.
• The Hawks must also create quality scoring opportunities in transition (1.07 PPP on those plays, 6^th-lowest in NBA; 9.8% FT frequency; 2^nd-lowest), as Charlotte (20.0 points per-48 off TOs, 4^th-best in NBA; 27 off-TO points on Friday) did so effectively last night in New Orleans.
• It has been a tale of two cities at the charity stripe. Atlanta comes into today sinking 81.3 FT% (3^rd-best in NBA), even with a cold Capela. That’s been completely offset by opponents nailing an NBA-high 82.7 percent of their freebies. Conversely, Charlotte comes into today shooting a lukewarm 73.1 FT% (6^th-worst in the league), despite scoring leader Hayward sinking free throws at a 91.2 percent clip. Their fortune comes from opponents making just 70.9 percent of their chances (4^th-lowest in NBA).
• No matter the outcome today, the Hawks’ most urgent opportunity for victory awaits on Monday, assuming there is in fact a game to play ahead of a three-game West Coast road trip. Doc Rivers’ 76ers plan to arrive in the ATL after playing this afternoon in Denver with just nine (CORRECTION already: eight, really seven today with Mike Scott sitting, too) healthy and COVID-eligible bodies, two of whom are two-way players. There’s no need to look ahead, but Atlanta will not want to conclude Monday night looking like unprepared victims of The Walking Dead.

 

Let’s Go Hawks!

~lw3

[benhillboy]

Like everyone I’m anxious to see how Trae and John respond after their little dust up.  After that Lamelo is pretty damn fun to watch.

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

[terrell]

Sixers starting lineup today....

[Bonkers]

First off FIRE LP

Now that I've gotten that off my chest. I hope the Hawks have shaken off whatever BS that was goin on with the them and start playing like they have sum sense. At least act like a competent basketball team

[JayBirdHawk]

What to watch for:

1. Will Trae actually play this game, cuz he didn't really play last game. Will he have more assists (3), than TOs (7)

2. Will Cam finally hit a 3 pointer, he was 0fer (0-8) last game. Our starters were 1-17 from 3, yikes

3. Will Bogi be more aggressive this game, hopefully that ankle is feeling better.

4. What will be our strategy vs the zone defense

5. How will we defend Hayward

6. Will Snell see the court today

 

[terrell]

1 hour ago, JayBirdHawk said:

 

 

I hope Snell takes Hills minutes. We could use another wing defender...Hill is VC 2.0 at this point..

[terrell]

54 minutes ago, terrell said:

Sixers starting lineup today....

Maxey ballin..

[kg01]

kg tunes in, based on @lethalweapon3 original recommendation, at 7:30 only to find half the 1st half gone ...

... lookin at lethal like ...

 

 

[Marvin24Williams]

Possible changes? I'm guessing Cam hits the bench in favor of Huerter or Bogi

[Dnice]

Looks like he's having a tough time deciding or just doesn't want to put it out there, of the lineup. 

[terrell]

· 15m

Starters for the Hawks tonight: Trae Young Bogdan Bogdanovic De'Andre Hunter John Collins Clint Capela

Cam to the bench..

Edited January 9, 2021 by terrell

[Marvin24Williams]

Bogi getting the start. Like this move, he needs to learn how to play together with Trae

 

[terrell]

3 minutes ago, terrell said:

· 15m

Starters for the Hawks tonight: Trae Young Bogdan Bogdanovic De'Andre Hunter John Collins Clint Capela

Cam to the bench..

Not sure if this is the answer. Bogi has been bad on offense too..And he cant play defense like Cam...We shall see..Hope it works for both players..

[High5]

I definitely feel better with Bogi in the lineup right now. Cam needs to take a step back and regroup.

[Bonkers]

Already a Trae turnover lol

[JayBirdHawk]