Official Game Thread: Hawks at Wizards: The Big Payback!

[lethalweapon3]

They can’t guard me! Or, at least, they won’t. Not so long as I’m in my Big Panda disguise!

 

So, I’m pooped! No time to put together a fulll Game Thread ahead of the Atlanta Hawks’ payback game against the Washington Wizards (7:00 PM Eastern, Fox Sports Southeast, CSN Mid-Atlantic). A few nuggets in lieu of the whole chicken:

Like a Philly cheesesteak, the Wiz is on a roll! They last won six-in-a-row early last season, in November/December 2014. That said, they’re still clawing for a final playoff spot, because both the Bulls and Pistons (1.5 games ahead) are feeling their oats as well, winners of three straight games and six of their last ten. Washington knows they cannot afford any more missteps, particularly at home. They've won 9 of their last 10 at the Verizon Center.

The Hawks are in a nice little logjam at 41-30, not the least of which is because the Hornets took care of business at home against the big, bad Spurs. A loss tonight drops the Hawks to 7-8 in-division, which won’t bode well for otherwise-meaningless division title contention with Miami (0.5 game ahead; 8-5 Southeast), Charlotte (now tied, along with Boston; 7-7 Southeast) and, for now, Washington (5.5 GB, 8-5 Southeast). San Antonio may give the Hawks a break by trying to extend their home winning streak tonight against the heat (41-29).

Atlanta’s also in a race with Boston to be the first among the East’s Top 7 with 20 Eastern Conference losses, although the Celts have five more in-conference wins under their belts. The Hawks still have the toughest schedule ahead in the East, and likely need a winning road record (18-17) to keep the postseason on lock.

The Wizards had the Hawks under a heat lamp on Monday at Philips Arena. Their 50.5 FG% was the best by any Hawks foe since their epic comeback in Houston back on December 29. That included a 13-for-25 shooting display for Washington beyond the arc, and 59 FG% in the middle quarters. The Zards are 24-5 when they hit the 48 FG% shooting mark, 16-3 when they bury half their shots.

Atlanta’s offense, to be fair, wasn’t too bad on Monday, keeping the outcome entertaining until the wheels came off late. Al Horford was sharp as a tack (14 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals), and could stand to use even more touches tonight to get Gortat off his game. As a team Atlanta hit 55.6 2FG% and nearly 40 percent on threes (13-for-28 until the fourth quarter), thanks in no small part to Tim Hardaway, Jr. (4-for-5 3FGs). But John Wall, Bradley Beal (12 third-quarter points), and Marcin Gortat (12 first-quarter points) were too much to keep up with, the modest pace being more to the Wizards’ liking.

After a rough start, Jeff Teague tried to keep up (23 points, 7-for-17 FGs, 6-for-9 in the middle quarters, 6-for-8 FTs) but it didn’t last for long. He and Dennis Schröder will hopefully be able to distribute more to starters Kyle Korver (1-for-2 3FGs, 19 minutes) and Kent Bazemore (0-for-4 3FGs, 21 minutes), who played sparingly. The latter seemed rattled after absorbing a hard offensive foul from Jared Dudley in the second quarter, and perhaps a day of recovery will serve him well.

The Hawks tipped their cap all night to the Wizards’ offensive onslaught. But tipping one’s cap doesn’t also require tipping one’s hand. Teague and Schröder persistently went under on screens for Wall (just three mid-range shots outside the paint/FT circle, seven FGs at the rim), who turned on the jets. Once in the paint, with Hawk defenders scrambling to help, there was a candy shop full of options available for Wall (27 points, 10-for-21 FGs, 14 assists).

If you’re Wall, you can await the cutters by Gortat and Markieff Morris, or swing the rock out to Beal (5-for-6 3FGs, 3 Wall-assisted), Morris (both Wall-assisted), or Otto Porter (both Wall-assisted). Or, stay behind the line and call your own number (Wall 3-for-5 3FGs).

The Hawks did not practice on Sunday (or on Tuesday, Ye Ole Recovery Day), and maybe their much-improved pick-and-roll defense got out of whack. But the guards must put in the work to fight over screens (particularly by Gortat, who several Hawks praised as the best in the biz postgame) and catch up with Wall. Otherwise, there’ll be Big Trouble in Little Chinatown tonight.

Let’s Go Hawks!

~lw3

 

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[rd79]

 

 

[High5]

I feel like we've fallen short in all of these revenge games this season. I think we need this one to keep the 3 seed dream alive. 

[Guest]

34 minutes ago, lethalweapon3 said:

Like a Philly cheesesteak, the Wiz is on a roll!

I can't lie, as much as I want to dislike Philly (and I do), this pun was so bad that it was awesome.

I once tried to order a cheesesteak at Geno's, or the other famous one. My buddy told me that you're supposed to go up there and tell them two things: "Whiz wid" or "Whiz widout" (I think it's the kind of cheese you want, then if you want onions or not?). He kept telling me that it's like Seinfeld and the Soup Nazi, clearly say the things then GTFO of the way. Well, I forgot that when I went up there. "Hey, how are y'all today?" I said .... smdh I looked like a total buffoon and they didn't let me order without having them make fun of me for a bit. I think I eventually got Whiz wid-a-loogie.

[lethalweapon3]

38 minutes ago, rd79 said:

 

 

I caught a follow-up (from C-Viv) saying he thinks he's good. On the other hand, that might've been before this DFS update here. (just checked, it was postgame on Monday). We'll wait and see if there's any update coming.

EDIT: Just checked the GameNotes and he's not even listed as Questionable, so I'm assuming he'll be a go for tonight.

 

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

3 minutes ago, hawksfanatic said:

I can't lie, as much as I want to dislike Philly (and I do), this pun was so bad that it was awesome.

I once tried to order a cheesesteak at Geno's, or the other famous one. My buddy told me that you're supposed to go up there and tell them two things: "Whiz wid" or "Whiz widout" (I think it's the kind of cheese you want, then if you want onions or not?). He kept telling me that it's like Seinfeld and the Soup Nazi, clearly say the things then GTFO of the way. Well, I forgot that when I went up there. "Hey, how are y'all today?" I said .... smdh I looked like a total buffoon and they didn't let me order without having them make fun of me for a bit. I think I eventually got Whiz wid-a-loogie.

Love Geno's, as it's in my Illadelphian DNA, but I'm pure provolone with those steaks. I could never get with the Wiz on the steak! (on the fries, though, different story) And yes, the wid/widout choice regards the fried onions.

~lw3

[Guest]

Ok @lethalweapon3 no need to show off - how is this not a"a fulll Game Thread ahead of the Atlanta Hawks’ payback game" , lol.

Even at a quarter, still better that a lot of other drivel.

[Lurker]

If Atlanta gets swept on a third straight home and home vs a non playoff team (although one that is playing well and could sneak in), I can't...

Only other thing I have to offer is we now know that Jeff Teague is going to have to prove it in the playoffs with his three pointer. The scouting report is still "Go under on the Hawks' PGs and make them PROVE IT on jumpers before going over" and this we know because of what Washington said in their post game.

[NBASupes]

On the way right now to the game 

[NBASupes]

Every Hawks Wizards game I've been to, we won. Go Hawks!

[AHF]

Just now, NBASupes said:

Every Hawks Wizards game I've been to, we won. Go Hawks!

Sorry, Supes.  Nique already called the game while eating fruit loops this morning.  You finish second.

[rd79]

chat died?

[NBASupes]

The offense is looking so dead right now. No ball movement 

[Lurker]

It's time to remove Bazemore at least from the starting lineup, honestly both him and Korver.

[NBASupes]

5 minutes ago, Lurker said:

It's time to remove Bazemore at least from the starting lineup, honestly both him and Korver.

Jeff is the problem so far and Sap

[Lurker]

There's no coincidence as to how this deficit is getting made up a little bit, against athletic teams with very good penetrators off the dribble, this team struggles until the athletic team comes in.

[NBASupes]

Al should have went back up with it.

[Lurker]

I get somewhat of a feeling that Washington will go on an opening third quarter run like Monday too that exploits the non-athletic team.

[Lurker]

Schröder is cooking.

[Guest]

I'm late dang it...results..