Moderators lethalweapon3 Posted May 1, 2013 Moderators Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 This is it! This is it! This is life, the one you get. So go and have a ball! That’s all the Indianapolis-related TV theme songs I got for ya. Our Fine Feathered Friends got off the schneid(er) with two big wins in Atlanta, re-asserting their homecourt dominance against the Indiana Pacers. To get a chance at closing out the series in Atlanta, they have to keep the momentum going with their first win in Bankers Life Fieldhouse since March 2012. The Hawks have snatched at least one win on this floor in every season since 2008-09. The Hawks stuffed Johan Petro into Jason Collins’ former postseason role starting in Game 3, and he’s paid off by frustrating the heck out of Roy Hibbert at the outset of the last two games. Petro’s eight rebounds and four points in Game 4 were boosted further with three assists. The move shifted Angry Bird Al Horford to an underwhelming David West, and assigned Josh Smith to do-everything player Paul George. By do-everything, I mean it. George has been leading his Pacers in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and defensive rating. But when he’s not passing and not getting to the line, his overall effect on the game is minimized. In the two Atlanta games his combined free throw attempts (16) and assists (3) were below his tallies in Game 1 alone (18 free throw attempts and 12 assists). Throw in foul trouble (4.5 PF/G) and spotty shooting (10-for-27 on field goals) and his impact on the outcome is all the more limited. Through 4 games, the NBA Most improved Player winner has only improved his shooting percentages marginally (39.3 FG%, 27.8 3FG%) over his 2012 postseason (38.9 FG%, 26.8 3FG%). By George, I think he needs help! But from whom? The inability to shift George to shooting guard when needed is where Danny Granger has been missed. Look for a boost in playing time for their top gunner in 6’8” Gerald Green (team-leading 2.25 3FG per game) and either Sam Young or rookie Orlando Johnson in hopes George will get less time getting faceguarded by Ivan Johnson and Josh Smith and more time zipping around Kyle Korver and Devin Harris for easier buckets. Lance Stephenson (7.8 PPG; 9 rebounds and 8 assists in Game 4) will try to create more offense off the dribble. With his jump-hooks and shotblocking, Hibbert has to make his presence felt in the game right out of the gate. The Pacers’ frontline has watched helplessly as the Hawks’ Al Horford (26 points in Game 3) and Josh Smith racked up postseason highs in back-to-back contests, often with Hibbert either isolated on Petro or watching from the sidelines. Horford’s mid-range shooting continues to confound opponents, and Indiana will need a forward to swing over to defend that shot so Hibbert can stay true to the defensive post. Rookie Miles Plumlee may make an appearance tonight if Hibbert has to take an early seat again. We still haven’t seen the best of Ivan Johnson (2 points, 5 rebounds) on the floor in this series. Composure, as always, will be key, as the Hawks don’t need to be unnecessarily thin when Hibbert, George, Ian Mahinmi and Tyler Hansbrough are crashing the offensive boards. Will Mike Scott get an early nod if Ivan struggles again? Quick, how many shots has Josh Smith blocked in this series? Pencils down. Did you guess one? And who cares? So far, Horford and Petro has made Smoove’s stout help defense in the post a literal luxury. Besides his defensive effect on Indiana forwards, the strong stretches he exhibited in Game 4 has pushed his playoff scoring up to 18.5 PPG on 50.0 FG%, both career highs . His per-possession assist rate (26.3 per 100) is also a career-high. As for shot selection and free throw shooting -- insert broken record here. Quick, who leads the entire NBA Playoffs in 3-point field goal percentage? Pencils down. Did you guess Anthony Tolliver? Just 8 shots, but hitting 75% of them puts him in the same company as the Spurs’ Red Rocket, Matt Bonner, for dead-eye accuracy. Can he keep it up over short stretches in Indy? He’ll be open, no one’s looking to cover him. Right now, he’ll make for a fine Plan B (ahead of DeShawn Stevenson) in case Korver’s shot goes cold again. Free throws. What more needs to be said? This is just the type of game where the Hawks don’t want to be looking back at the box score wondering what could have been “if only.” Indy native Teague’s free throw shooting (12-for-15 in the Atlanta games; 19-for-23 in the series) has saved the Hawks’ bacon this far, but Hackahawk remains in effect until someone proves they can reliably knock those shots down. Jeff Teague continues to overtake his matchup with George Hill. When he drives and cannot find an open man, he needs to rely more on his Teaguedrop floaters rather than running into Hibbert hoping for a call. Indiana sorely needs Hill (5-for-23 FG, 0-for-9 3FG) and D.J. Augustin to come alive offensively to take the pressure off of Paul George. Staying at least even on the rebounding, sinking free throws in the clutch, resisting opportunities to succumb to the refs and the Indiana fans, and forcing the Pacers into high-paced basketball whenever possible will make it easier on Atlanta to turn Game 6 into a possible series clincher and a Friday Night Madhouse. So while you’re here, enjoy the view Keep on doing what you do Hold on tight, we’ll muddle through One Day at a Time! One Day at a Time! Let's Go Hawks! ~lw3 View the full article 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators lethalweapon3 Posted May 1, 2013 Author Moderators Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 ~lw3 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 I haven't been this excited for a game in a long time. Especially one that Zaza isn't playing in........ 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaceCase Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 #BeaksUpOleChaps 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzzard Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 I think we can take this one but the FT line and 3pt shooting will be key. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Mule Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 Dang. All the experts agree 100%! Pacers to win it all. Those that said, "In five" are already down. If Hawks can take tonight's game, they may be 100% wrong! GO HAWKS!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benhillboy Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 ~lw3"Experts". Ha! It's no coincidence Abbott looks like the smartest one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 INDIANAPOLIS – Larry Drew had a clear message for his team prior to Game 5 of their playoff series against the Pacers tonight.No more whining. (I hope the players listen) The Hawks did not react well to the officiating in losses in both Games 1 and 2 here. There was a glaring discrepancy in the number of fouls called. The Pacers were a combined 51 of 63 while the Hawks were a combined 18 of 34. (Damn - they made more than we took-smh). “In Games 1 and 2 we were not a very aggressive team and we complained about all the calls,” Drew said. “That hurt us a lot. We have to play through all calls. We can’t let that be a reason that we don’t play well. We can’t let that be the thing that’s our demise. We have to be a smarter team. We have to play through all calls. We have to come out and play with a physicality. We talked about in after Game 1 and I thought we got a little better but not at a playoff level. I will definitely remind our guys that the first couple games in this building we just complained too much to the officials. They were clearly the aggressor on both ends of the floor. If we can clean that up it will help us tremendously.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member cam1218 Posted May 1, 2013 Premium Member Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 Thanks LW3. I've been waiting for this game all day long. Not a whole lot of chatter going on about the game today though. Seems like there is some type of a nervous and anxious feeling about the game tonight. I hope we build on momentum from the last two games and win a close one in Indy. If we can keep it a ~5 point game to start the fourth and avoid foul trouble I like our chances (experience). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 BeaksUp #BeaksUp4Life #PointForwardShawty #RefsCantWinGameForPacers #FrizzleDizzleDontWantNone #LethalWeapon5 #CorndogsAndDipAndBeerAndWine 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators AHF Posted May 1, 2013 Moderators Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 #BeaksUpGentlemen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member cam1218 Posted May 1, 2013 Premium Member Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 With one playoff win, #BeaksUp has instantly become better than #RiseUp. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 Can somebody get LD a high chair for his post game presser - why was he hiding behind the microphone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJlaysitup Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 Win one for Valerie !! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaceCase Posted May 2, 2013 Report Share Posted May 2, 2013 #BeaksUpGentlemen And I here I thought that I couldn't possibly find a more disturbing image than that gaggle of possums that was posted last year. I was wrong, I was very wrong. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted May 2, 2013 Report Share Posted May 2, 2013 I don't want to say that I'm the key to winning but I busted out that Possum thing what 2-3 years ago and then this year #BeaksUp! Sorry that it took me so long to get the new mantra for this year but we still have this series where we want it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNorthCydeRises Posted May 2, 2013 Report Share Posted May 2, 2013 LOL . . . the 3 sides of Josh - bricked a 3- got a great steal on the other end- but kept the ball on the fast break and threw it to the bench Yeah Josh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrReality Posted May 2, 2013 Report Share Posted May 2, 2013 Staying close. Should be up more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJlaysitup Posted May 2, 2013 Report Share Posted May 2, 2013 Teague is all flustered cause he got blocked - 10 minutes of sulking coming.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BackForThe2ndTime Posted May 2, 2013 Report Share Posted May 2, 2013 Ivan is not doing anything. Please sit him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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