Atlanta Hawks (42-23) New Jersey Nets (7-59) Game Preview

Atlanta Hawks (42-23) New Jersey Nets (7-59)

Venue: Izod Arena

Time: 7:30pm

TV: Fox Sports South

Radio: 790 The Zone

Previous Meetings
12/13/2009 – Hawks 130 Nets 107 – Recap

01/06/2010 – Hawks 119 Nets 89 – Recap

Probable Starters:

Hawks

PG Mike Bibby

SG Mo Evans or Jamal Crawford

SF Marvin Williams

PF Josh Smith

C Al Horford

Nets

PG Devin Harris

SG Courtney Lee

SF Trenton Hassell

PF Josh Boone

C Brook Lopez

Hawks Blog Roll

Nets Blog Roll

Game Thoughts

The biggest storyline with tonight’s game is the status of Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby. Joe did not travel with the team and is officially out. Mike Bibby is listed as questionable with a sore back. This is the first time all season that the Hawks have really been hit with any significant injury. Joe Smith missed some time with a hurt thumb earlier in the season but the starters have pretty much remained healthy. For the Nets Devin Harris is also injured and will be a game time decision

This exact situation is why the Hawks went out during the off season and attempted to bring in some depth. If Bibby is also really out tonight then the Hawks will start a new back court combo for the first time all season. Coach Woodson could go with Jamal Crawford and Mo Evans in the back court or could give rookie Jeff Teague a start if he desires to keep Crawford in his current sixth man role. At the very least Teague should see a bump in minutes but a word of caution. Don’t rule out the possibility of Mario West getting those minutes.

New Jersey comes into the game with the league’s worst record by a wide margin (7-59). The Hawks have handled them twice this season by an average of 21 points. However, those games were with a full compliment of players. If the Hawks clamp down defensively then New Jersey has no chance. If the Hawks allow the Nets to hang around then things could get interesting. Especially with the injuries, tonight’s game is all about being ready to play.

With all of the free agency talk that has went on lately, tonight could be an inside glimpse at what the team could look like without Joe Johnson. Tonight more than ever the Hawks will have to play through Al Horford and Josh Smith. I am more interested in seeing Jeff Teague get some quality crunch time minutes with the starting unit.