Atlanta Hawks (116) Chicago Bulls (92) Game Recap

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The Hawks moved a full game ahead of the Boston Celtics last night for third in the east with a 116-92 victory over the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls were missing some key players last night (Noah, Deng) but the Hawks did a good job of attacking them early and setting the tone for the game.

In reality it was the Hawks shot selection that probably prevented them from pushing the lead out to beyond twenty points. The Hawks had an overwhelming advantage inside yet continued throughout the 2nd and 3rd period to hoist long jump shots and give the Bulls run out opportunities. Yet to their credit, when the gap tightened, the Hawks would give the ball to Josh Smith and let him go to work.

To say Smith has been playing well doesn’t do him any justice. The should have been an All Star just finished the month of February averaging a double double for the month which just happens to be the first time in his career. He started March off well last night stuffing the box score with 17 points, 18 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. He outplayed the Bulls front line by himself.

Marvin Williams had a good game last night and once again found himself in the game in the fourth quarter. Marvin scored 18 points and grabbed 9 rebounds and even got a technical for jawing with Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich. As a Hawk fan I like to see Marvin show some emotion like that and I am very happy to see him on the floor late in the fourth quarter now. Especially if Mike Bibby is not shooting the ball well.

Now that I mention Bibby lets talk about the back court. Bibby was 2-7 from the floor 1-4 from deep and scored 5 points with 1 assist. He took two terrible shots at the start of the third quarter and thankfully was not heard from again. Bibby’s job description as a point guard needs to be more of a get everyone else involved first plan rather than forcing up the first available jump shot that comes his way.

Speaking of which Jamal Crawford scored 21 points on 6-14 shooting but had to hit a hot streak in the fourth to do so. I am not sure if I have ever seen anyone take as many bad three point shots as Jamal. Not saying he can’t make them because he can, but I wish he would tone back the between the legs around back dribble pull up for contested three. To his credit he did look to drive the basketball last night and that typically will help you get your jump shot back. Jamal went 6-6 from the charity stripe.

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Joe Johnson really wasn’t that much of a factor and didn’t look to assert himself too much. With Marvin and Josh playing the way they did Joe didn’t have to look to carry the scoring load. He didn’t shoot the ball well going 5-15 from the field scoring 14 points. He did however grab 9 rebounds to go along with 3 assists.

The bench played well also, ZaZa Pachulia scored 8 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. I wouldn’t do this recap justice without mentioning the loudest two points of the night. Late in the game Mario West exploded down the baseline and throwed down over the top of Joe Alexander much to the like of the Hawks bench. I am no Mario fan but I have to give credit when it is due. That was an awesome dunk.

Overall the Hawks did as we expected they would. They took care of a lesser opponent on their home floor. Sure we would have liked to have seen the game without the swoon in the third quarter but they did clamp down in the fourth outscoring the Bulls 41-24. They need to look at nights like tonight and realize that Josh Smith or Marvin Williams are capable of having big nights and capable of doing their part when allowed to. If this team is going to have any chance in the playoffs then it will be the supporting cast that has the big nights. There is not a team in the Eastern Conference that is not going to clamp down on Joe Johnson come playoff time.

The Hawks travel back to Atlanta today and get ready for Wednesday night’s match up with Andre Iguodala and the Philadelphia 76ers.

Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls