Atlanta Hawks vs Brooklyn Nets: Game Thread (Updated) – Al Horford Game Time Decision
By David Menze
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 16: Kris Humphries #43 of the Brooklyn Nets defends against Al Horford #15 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on January 16, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
UPDATE: Al Horford is a game-time decision with a sore hamstring and calf, tweets AJC Hawks beat writer Chris Vivlamore.
Zaza Pachulia will start at the center position If Horford is active, he will play limited minutes coming off the bench.
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The Hawks and Nets square off for the second time in as many days, this time in the Barclays Center in beautiful Brooklyn, New York.
Josh Smith will be in the starting lineup tonight after missing Wednesday’s matchup in Atlanta due to a one-game suspension handed down by team GM Danny Ferry for “conduct detrimental to the team.”
The Hawks beat the Nets 109-95 without Smith and actually seem to play better without him in the lineup, advancing to 3-0 on the season when he’s sidelined.
Former fan favorite Joe Johnson made his first return to Philips Arena after being traded to Brooklyn in the summer and was heckled by the fans all night long, including having a rainstorm of boo’s pour down during the opening announcements.
Head coach Larry Drew didn’t make Johnson’s return any more welcoming than the fans did as he had his Atlanta players double-team JJ virtually every time he touched the ball, limiting the six-time all-star to just 15 points on 4-of-15 shooting overall.
Johnson, and the Nets, will try to bounce back in Brooklyn tonight with a win.
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Quick Facts
Who?: Atlanta Hawks at Brooklyn Nets
What?: Eastern Conference Showdown (Game #39, Road Game #20)
Where?: Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY)
When?: Friday, Jan. 18, 2013 – 7:30 PM (ET)
How?: SportSouth HDTV / 680AM & 93.7FM
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Projected Starting Lineups
Atlanta Hawks:
PG: Jeff Teague | SG: Devin Harris | SF: Kyle Korver | PF: Josh Smith | C: Zaza Pachulia
Brooklyn Nets:
PG: Deron Williams | SG: Joe Johnson | SF: Gerald Wallace | PF: Reggie Evans | C: Brook Lopez
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Injury/Inactive Players Report
Atlanta Hawks: Al Horford (sore hamstring/calf) is a game-time decision. Anthony Morrow (sore lower back) and DeShawn Stevenson (right knee) are out.
Brooklyn Nets: None.
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Current Records/Streak & Hot, Lukewarm, or Cold
Records: Atlanta Hawks (22-16) … Brooklyn Nets (23-16)
Streak: Atlanta Hawks –> OVERALL: Won 1 / HOME: Won 2 / ROAD: Lost 5 … Brooklyn Nets –> OVERALL: Lost 1 / HOME: Won 6 / ROAD: Lost 1
Home/Away Records: Hawks are (9-10) on the road … Nets are (15-7) at home.
Atlanta Hawks: Cold. Atlanta has lost 6-of-9 games overall since January 1, and has lost five straight on the road.
Brooklyn Nets: Hot. Brooklyn is 9-2 since tagging P.J. Carlesimo as interim head coach following the firing of Avery Johnson.
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Season/Past Season Series
Atlanta heads to Brooklyn for the first time in second-of-four tilts with the Nets. The Hawks took game one on Wednesday, 109-95, at Philips Arena. Jeff Teague (career-high 28 points/11 assists), Al Horford (17 points/13 rebounds) and Zaza Pachulia (13 points/11 boards, also a career-high eight assists) all had double-doubles for Atlanta. Brook Lopez paced the Nets with 22 points. The teams play again on 3/9 at Philips Arena and 3/17 in Brooklyn to finish the season series. The Hawks currently own a six-game winning streak against the Nets, including the last two road games. Brooklyn’s last win against Atlanta was an 89-82 home decision on 12/19/10 (in New Jersey). The Hawks lead the all-time series 89-65, with the Nets holding a 45-32 edge at home.
LAST MEETING – HAWKS 109, NETS 95 – PHILIPS ARENA (ATLANTA, GA) – 1/16/13
The Hawks started hot offensively and never let up, leading coast-to-coast, in a 109-95 triumph over the Nets at Philips Arena. Atlanta shot .500 or better from the field in each
quarter, including a .700 clip (14-20) in third when they took their biggest lead of the night (26). Jeff Teague (career-high 28 points/11 assists), Al Horford (17 points/13 rebounds) and Zaza Pachulia (13 points/11 boards, also a career-high eight assists) all had double-doubles for Atlanta. Devin Harris added 18 points while Kyle Korver and Lou Williams put in 11 apiece, as six Hawks (including all five starters) scored in double-figures. Brook Lopez paced the Nets with 22 points. Atlanta shot a season-best .577 from the floor (45-78) for the game and dished out 33 assists, while Brooklyn hit .425 from field (37-87) and had 17 assists. The Hawks also had a 29-12 edge in fast break points and scored 19 points off Nets turnovers.
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Common Threads
Devin Harris (part of 2007-08 through part of 2010-11), Anthony Morrow (2010-12), Johan Petro (2010-12) and DeShawn Stevenson (2011-12) are all former Nets. Larry Drew was an assistant coach with the Nets in 2003-04. Lester Conner spent time playing for the Nets from 1988-91. Joe Johnson spent seven seasons in Atlanta (2005-12), scoring over 10,000 points. Jerry Stackhouse saw action in 30 games for the Hawks last year. MarShon Brooks is a Tucker native (Tucker HS). Damion James was drafted by the Hawks in 2010, but swapped to the Nets in exchange for Jordan Crawford in a draft night deal, and also was in training camp with Atlanta earlier this year. Stevenson and Andray Blatche were teammates with Washington from 2006 through part of 2009-10. Stevenson (part of 2003-04 in Orlando) and Kyle Korver (2010-11 with Chicago) have both been teammates of Keith Bogans. Korver (Philadelphia for part of 2007-08), Lou Williams (Philadelphia 2007-09) and Johan Petro (Seattle for part of 2005-06) have all teamed-up with Reggie Evans. Morrow (Golden State 2008-10), Anthony Tolliver (Golden State for part of 2009-10) and Kyle Korver (Chicago 2010-12) were all teammates with C.J. Watson. Korver and Deron Williams teamed together with Utah (part of 2007-08 through 2010).
Information was used from the Hawks and Nets official gamenotes