Official Game Thread: Thunder "at" Hawks

[lethalweapon3]

“A-L-L-S-T-A-R. Find out what is means to… wait, does that even rhyme? Lemme try this again.

T-R-A-E Y-O-U-N-G… Get me in the ASG! Oww!”

 

It’s TRAEngerfield time! No respect, I tells ya. No respect!

We have arrived at the one time of the year that’s worse than Pumpkin Spice season. It’s pundits disrespecting Atlanta Hawks star’s season, um, season.

Hawks fans can vote all they want, and it’s not likely to put a dent in the All-Star Game starter tallies that get their first reveal tomorrow afternoon. ASG host Ty Haliburton, and Ty Maxey, are the T.Y.’s getting the starting guard spots in the NBA East. That is, unless people are overexuberant in welcoming Damian Lillard to this side of the ballot, or New Yorkers miffed about last season’s results stuff the box for Jalen Brunson.

But once that’s finito, it will come time for head coaches, like the OKC Thunder’s Mark Daigneault, and/or their staff designees, to populate the reserve slots. And Punditland is already teeming with people ready to declare who the coaches won’t include among the All-Star backups.

Young and the restless Hawks can do their part to right the ship at home, trend Atlanta back above the Play-In line, exploit (for them) a rare scheduling advantage, and serve a not-so-subtle reminder to the league’s coaches that there’s a Hawk who deserves a reservation for one on a direct flight to Indianapolis next month. All of that can start tonight (7:30 PM Eastern, Bally Sports Southeast and 92.9 FM in ATL, BS OK), especially if Trae can do more than get by with a little help from his fine feathered friends.

Hopefully, the only Hawks employees awake at 10:30 PM Eastern last night were Quin Snyder’s coaching staff, scouting tonight’s opponent as they held on to put the finishing touches on the visiting and NBA-leading Boston Celtics, 850 miles to the west. The Thunder (23-9, 1.0 games behind Minnesota atop the NBA West) has made noise sooner than most of the punditry, or anyone else, expected, and that’s thanks largely to another rock-solid lock among starting All-Star guards, reigning Western Conference POTY Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

There’s also been superb coaching from Daigneault (rhymes with ZAGNUT, I’m told), and assistants like one-time Hawk Mike Wilks, accelerating the development of a host of under-25 supporters, like kinda-rookie Chet Holmgen, Jalen Williams, and Josh Giddey. Even legit-rookie Cason Wallace (tops among OKC reserves in MPG; 43.2 3FG%, just ahead of Isaiah Joe’s 42.6%) is making everyone forget who traded away Dereck Lively. With three starters and at least four reserves hitting threes above a 40-percent clip, the Thunder lead the league in three-point accuracy (39.3 team 3FG%), and SGA (33.0 3FG%) hardly has to lift a finger from that range.

Oklahoma City has also benefitted from a kind day-to-day schedule. It’s one that allowed these upstarts to be as fresh as possible in recent weeks, as the Thunder have knocked off not only the Celts but the Nuggets, twice, in Denver, and the Warriors, Knicks, and Clippers at home. Back when they were a mere 3-3, coming off a two-game home skid and a recent 33-point drubbing from the Nuggets as they tipped off against the 4-2 Hawks at Paycom Center on November 6, there was little inkling that this would be a club about to win 20 of its next 26 contests.

Yet as they arrive for tonight’s game, opening their first four-game road trip of the season (one 3-game trip all season, two nights in GSW then up to banged-up POR back in mid-November, so far; ATL has had two 3-game excursions and one extending 5 games), this will be just OKC’s fourth back-to-back series (ATL’s 4^th came back on Nov. 26; they’re at 6 and counting, with two more later this month) and second SEGABABA on the road (that pseudo-Blazers game in November being the other; ATL’s SEGABABAs were both during road B2Bs, at BOS and at CLE).

While they led Boston for over 40 minutes last night and averted overtime with SGA’s crucial 35^th and 36^th points at the charity stripe putting OKC up four with two seconds remaining, the Thunder nearly squandered an 18-point lead with six-and-a-half minutes to spare. That led to lots of late timeouts that dragged out the actual clock, prolonging their red-eye arrival in ATL.

Especially aware of the Hawks’ struggles versus shorthanded rosters, Daigneault possibly will add a late scratch or two to OKC’s otherwise clean injury/illness list, once he awakens. It’s more likely he will rely upon his reserves (OKC 2^nd-best Net Rating and TS% among benches in NBA) for extended minutes. Theoretically, the Thunder’s truncated lineup should only help a Hawks club (13-19) that’s getting Jalen Johnson and would-be rotation players back up to speed, while being granted two off-days after surviving in Washington early on New Year’s Eve.

The Wizards are the only team that struggles to secure defensive boards, or rebounds of any kind, worse than Holmgren’s Thunder (67.3 D-Reb% and 47.3 Total Reb%, 29^th in NBA). But OKC terminates opponent possessions anyway by forcing turnovers (NBA-best 16.0 opponent TO%), and it’s not all just relying on Gilgeous-Alexander’s NBA-leading 2.6 SPG (only NBA’ers logging 20+ games played with over 2.0 SPG), 37 loose-ball recoveries and 3.7 deflections/game (Dejounte Murray’s 3.4 ranks 3^rd in NBA). Both Joe and backup big Jaylin “The Other One” Williams are among league leaders in charges drawn, while Chet contests the second-most 2FGAs per game.

The Hawks exploited Washington’s rebounding woes, until they didn’t. Letting off the gas with rebounding and turnover slippage let the Wizards (39 4^th-quarter points; 3 O-Rebs in the 4^th quarter after 3 total in the first three) make a contest out of Sunday’s matinee late.

Things got squirrely for the Thunder once Gilgeous-Alexander was whistled for his fifth foul last night. It was his most personals since his fifth helped Atlanta (40 4^th-quarter points, led by Messrs. Young and Murray at the FT line) cut OKC’s 19-point lead roughly in half, making November’s 126-117 Hawks loss look more respectable.

Atlanta can boost their chances of a momentous victory tonight if Young, Murray and the Hawks’ ballhandlers manage to keep the careless turnovers down while pushing the pace high. Just as essential will be the Hawks’ frontcourt contributors, Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu in particular, securing defensive boards as mates box out Lu Dort and Kenrich Williams (combined 8 O-Rebs vs. BOS last night) and sparking quick-strike transition plays that leave Jalen Williams and Holmgren (4 total Rebs vs. BOS, less than SGA’s six) look a step behind the times.

There are up to four more guards in the NBA East that are worthy of All-Star nods, and Young is ensconced among that stellar backcourt group. Punditland will tell you that wins matter, then find space to honor Victor Wembanyama in the West, or endow the Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan with another final spot. They’ll suggest Young’s marksmanship (43.6 FG%, 38.5 3FG%; career-high 11.3 APG) is subpar for an All-Star PG, then pencil in Lillard (43.1 FG%, 36.5 3FG%; 6.8 APG, lowest since 2017-18) so they won’t have to put up with Giannis’ relentless moping.

De-trae-ctors will hide behind the standings for as long as they can, but that doesn’t mean the coaches have to do the same. With matchups versus Haliburton and Maxey, and ASG reserve contender Paolo Banchero, on the docket over the next five games, Trae and Atlanta have the chance to wear thin any excuses, or doubts. But there’s no need to wait, as it ought to begin tonight. With one regulation win (vs. DET) in the Hawks’ last ten home games, the crowd at State Farm Arena could use a reminder, too.

 

Happy New Year! Let’s Go Hawks!

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

ATL's injury/illness/leave report is looking as good as it has in awhile. Seth Lundy has been upgraded to Available following last week's ankle sprain, leaving De'Andre Hunter (inflamed knee, check back in about a week) and Mo Gueye (stress-fractured back) as the only Hawks not already on G-League assignment.

OKC is still enjoying their continental breakfast, so their Boo-Boo Report isn't up yet as of 12:30 PM. It's due in about 15 minutes. At gametime yesterday, they had everyone available aside from a pair of two-ways on G-League duty.

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

Thunder GameNotes adds that OKC (now 9-1 vs. NBA East) has the best road record in the league, at 9-4. The Hawks have nine road wins in their pocket, too, after escaping D.C. But, emphasizing once more the variance in scheduling, Atlanta also has six additional road losses to this point (9-10).

SGA is aiming to clear the bar as the sole NBA player to finish a season averaging minimums of 30 PPG and 2.5 SPG while shooting above 55.0 FG%. The more threes he can defer to teammates, the better his chances. OKC leads the league not just in three-point marksmanship, but in free throw accuracy (85.0 team FT%), which isn't bad for the team that began this season with the third-youngest opening-night roster.

Trae's next 30-plus 10-plus P.A.D.D., the 73rd of his career, would move him into a tie with The Logo, Jerry West, for 6th All-Time.

OKC's win last November knotted up the all-time Hawks/SonicThunder series at 71 wins apiece.

Beginning with the game before that one, in New Orleans on November 4, Atlanta has managed to sink 10+ threes in every one of its past 27 games, a league-high (Boston stretched the NBA's second-longest run to 17 games last night in OKC). That double-digit streak is actually 12 or more for the Hawks, who needed all of their dozen to keep the Wiz at bay on New Year's Eve. But for a 9-for-32 showing versus the Zards back on November 1, the Hawks' double-digit Threak would be at 31 and counting.

~lw3

[JayBirdHawk]

We had better come prepared to guard their 3pt shooters tonight. (Wait, who am I kidding). 

 

This is a game where OO needs to really shoe up and Bogi to get his shooting tough back. He's shooting 25% from 3, the last 5 games.

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

[hylndr11]

this one is already over, i would be shocked, this team is destroying teams with size and shooting, wonder how they got there

[JayBirdHawk]

Can we please fix our 4th quarter butt clenching.

 

 

[benhillboy]

Early wins over the Bucks and Wolves look even better now based on their records but make no mistake, a win tonight would be the highest quality victory to date.  

This OKC team is a f&@kin circus.  A +8.3 point differential for the second youngest squad in the league playing the 6th toughest schedule to date is insanity.  Their chemistry is near Bogut Warriors level.

Hawks need to focus on hitting the glass on both ends like never before.  It’s literally the Thunder’s only weakness.  

[Spud2nique]

Thanks lw3! 
 

Vegas got OKC -1.5 on the road wow  

2k got Hawks by 53! @Sothron I need to change something I’m dominating now. All star? ️ Will my experience translate or is the “cheat” still on?
 

Go Hawks!!!

 

Edited January 3 by Spud2nique

[shakes]

2 hours ago, hylndr11 said:

this one is already over, i would be shocked, this team is destroying teams with size and shooting, wonder how they got there

I wouldn't be so sure about that.  OKC played a massive game last night and won.  This morning the world woke up and realized that OKC is really really good.  They are the talk of NBA radio all day.   They just came off a stretch where they won 10 of 12 and trounced several contenders in the process.  They have a massive January schedule coming up.  They're playing a team/franchise that would best be described as a laughing stock to the rest of the league.

This has trap game written all over it for OKC.   I wouldn't be surprised if ATL gets the win tonight.

[Chrimturn]

A reversal of fortunes!  I like those percentages @Spud2nique

These guys may be shooting damn near a 50% clip while holding opponents to 44%.  And 6 or more guys shooting over 40% from 3…   But those #’s are gonna start trending the other way…..starting tonight!  New Month…New Attitude.  Let’s bring it!

[SalvorMallow]

2 minutes ago, shakes said:

I wouldn't be so sure about that.  OKC played a massive game last night and won.  This morning the world woke up and realized that OKC is really really good.  They are the talk of NBA radio all day.   They just came off a stretch where they won 10 of 12 and trounced several contenders in the process.  They have a massive January schedule coming up.  They're playing a team/franchise that would best be described as a laughing stock to the rest of the league.

This has trap game written all over it for OKC.   I wouldn't be surprised if ATL gets the win tonight.

Aww but that would make you cry if your favorite team lost. 

[shakes]

I'm excited for all of you to get to see a team that actually plays the game the right way on both ends.

You're going to see something tonight you've never seen in the 6 years I've followed the Hawks.....guys making back door cuts.    Watching OKC play is like watching Princeton beat UCLA back in the 90s.  They also move the ball, very rare taht the ball stops.  And guys actually move without the ball.

They have the best mid range player in the league in SGA and JDub isn't far behind him.

And everyone busts their ass on defense.

 

They really are a joy to watch and a refreshing change from the crap we watch night in night out.

 

[terrell]

 

[terrell]

51 minutes ago, shakes said:

I wouldn't be so sure about that.  OKC played a massive game last night and won.  This morning the world woke up and realized that OKC is really really good.  They are the talk of NBA radio all day.   They just came off a stretch where they won 10 of 12 and trounced several contenders in the process.  They have a massive January schedule coming up.  They're playing a team/franchise that would best be described as a laughing stock to the rest of the league.

This has trap game written all over it for OKC.   I wouldn't be surprised if ATL gets the win tonight.

We usually struggle vs the elite PG's.. 

Maybe theyll take pride in playing DEFENSE tonight..

OKC should have tired legs, but theyre young and hungry so we'll see..

 

[cam1218]

I’m jealous of the Thunder and how their rebuild has gone. I’m sure they’d love a championship on their OKC resume, but between this rebuild and the previous KD, young Russ, and young Harden rebuild, they have come out rather nicely talent wise both times.

[Chrimturn]

I’m pretty impressed with Chet Holmgren thus far.  Wasn’t expecting him to be quite as productive offensively as he’s been.  Productive, sure, but he’s been that and then some. Has some pretty decent handles for 7’1 too.  Caught me off guard a little last night with some of his drives.

[shakes]

2 minutes ago, Chrimturn said:

I’m pretty impressed with Chet Holmgren thus far.  Wasn’t expecting him to be quite as productive offensively as he’s been.  Productive, sure, but he’s been that and then some. Has some pretty decent handles for 7’1 too.  Caught me off guard a little last night with some of his drives.

If I was more skilled I would insert the Die Hard "welcome to the party pal" GIF

[lethalweapon3]

No additions to the inactive list for OKC as of the 5:30 PM update. Lightly-used third-stringers Tre Mann, Davis Bertans and Aleksej Pokusevski were all DNP-CD'd yesterday vs. BOS, while developmental big Ousmane Dieng and the two-way players were deemed Inactive.

~lw3

[HawksNWaffles]

Hey guess what....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let's get this dub!!