The Atlanta Hawks opened a four-game home stand with a re-match against the Charlotte Bobcats on Jan. 12, and similar to the previous meeting, won in dramatic style.
The major difference this time was that the Hawks won by 30 points, 111-81, unlike the six-point overtime margin on Jan. 6.
Atlanta began the game shorthanded with forwards Marvin Williams and Tracy McGrady, and starting center Al Horford, sidelined with injuries.
Most noticeably was Horford’s absence. With a torn pectoral muscle, Horford reportedly underwent successful shoulder surgery on Jan. 17, but is not expected to return for 3 to 4 months.
In light of a modified lineup, the Hawks used a total team effort to handily defeat the Bobcats, and Joe Johnson set the offensive pace early in the first quarter by going 5-for-7 from the field for 13 points.
But it was Atlanta forward Josh Smith’s 30 points on 14-of-22 shooting, along with 13 rebounds that set the stage for the lopsided victory. Smith used an array of shots – from dunks, to 3-pointers to drives to the basket – to score a season-high effort that kept the visitors from ever getting closer than 12 points.
Jeff Teague, playing with increasing confidence since taking over the starting point guard position this season, ended the quarter with a 3-pointer that gave the Hawks a 25-21 lead.
Atlanta only allowed 19 Bobcats’ points in the third quarter despite an aggressive offensive effort by Charlotte center B.J. Mullens. Mullens finished with a team-high 21 points, and teammate Gerald Henderson had 16, with two of those coming off of a ferocious dunk to once again cut the Atlanta lead back to 12 early in the fourth stanza.
However, Smith scored on consecutive trips down the floor to complete a 10-4 run by the Hawks that put Charlotte away for good.
Atlanta’s bench has been a “go-to” source all season for keeping the offense running while giving the starters resting time. Rookie reserve forward Ivan Johnson had an impressive night, playing for over 20 minutes and scoring 12 points and adding seven rebounds.
Even 37-year-old backup guard Jerry Stackhouse got into the action, scoring on a two-handed fast-break dunk with seconds remaining in the game.
Johnson finished with 23 points, seven rebounds and eight assists, while Jeff Teague added 16 points, six rebounds and seven assists and six rebounds for the Hawks.
Shorthanded Hawks Shortchange Timberwolves
Following a huge win over the Charlotte Bobcats, the Atlanta Hawks played their second matchup of four-game home
stretch against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Jan. 14.
With Minnesota coming into Atlanta with a 4-7 overall record there was room for a letdown by the 8-4 Hawks. But with letdown averted, the Hawks defeated a scrappy Timberwolves team, 93-91, before a crowd of 13,135 at Philips Arena.
Minnesota ran out to a quick 9-2 lead on a Ricky Rubio 3-pointer and consecutive baskets by Kevin Love.
Rubio, a rookie, continued to keep the tempo up for the ‘Wolves. In just his 12th NBA game, Rubio finished the night with a double-double 18 points and 12 rebounds. Love led Minnesota with 30 points and 13 rebounds to keep the game close.
Turnovers plagued the Hawks in the first half. Atlanta committed 10 turnovers in the first two quarters that led to14 Minnesota points. Missed passes by both Smith and Williams, who just returned to the starting lineup after an injury, kept the Hawks from finding their offensive flow.
However, Atlanta fought back, outscoring Minnesota 29-24 in the second quarter after a 24-18 first-quarter deficit. The ‘Wolves managed an eight point lead midway through the second quarter as Love scored 15 first-half points, and five Atlanta turnovers subsequently assisted Minnesota with a 53-42 advantage at intermission.
Minnesota again started the second half by running their offense through Rubio and Love. The duo combined for 17 third-quarter points.
But once again the Hawks bench had to right the ship. Reserves Willie Green, making his first appearance of the night in the fourth quarter, made four of six shots, with two of those coming from 3-point range for 10 points.
“I got to get Atlanta out of that soft category”, said Johnson following the game.
Green tied the score at 84 with a jumper and following another Minnesota basket by shooting guard Wayne Ellington, scored again to tied the score at 86.
And with 1:26 remaining to play, Joe Johnson hit a 3-pointer, his third of the game, to put the Hawks up. Ivan Johnson made two free throws to give Atlanta a 93-91 lead, and a missed Love fall-away jumper with 2.3 seconds preserved the Hawks’ win .
Ivan Johnson also made a huge impact by scoring 10 points and grabbing 11 rebounds while Jeff Teague finished with 20 points and 10 assists for the Hawks. Joe Johnson finished with a team-high 25.