Pelicans vs Hawks: Game Thread – Davis Returns for New Orleans

Feb 5, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Hawks power forward Paul Millsap (4) dunks over New Orleans Pelicans center Greg Stiemsma (34) and power forward Anthony Davis (23) during the second half of a game at New Orleans Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Hawks 105-100. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Game Previw

The Atlanta Hawks look to extend their season-long winning streak even longer with a sixth straight tonight against the visiting New Orleans Pelicans.

Just when the Hawks were in their worst slump of the season, losing 14 times in a 15-game span, they found a way to right the ship and rack off a handful of victories.

However, New Orleans has their star player Anthony Davis healthy after he missed Wednesday’s game and will come into Atlanta and try and play the role of spoiler.

Click here for the full game preview.

Quick Facts

Who?: New Orleans Pelicans vs Atlanta Hawks

What?: East vs West Showdown (Game #66, Home Game #32)

Where?: Philips Arena (Atlanta, GA)

When?: Friday, March 21, 2014 – 7:30 PM (ET)

How?: SportSouth HD TV / 92.9 FM

Probable Starters

Atlanta Hawks:

PG: Jeff Teague | SG: Kyle Korver | SF: DeMarre Carroll | PF: Paul Millsap | C: Pero Antic

New Orleans Pelicans:

PG: Brian Roberts | SG: Eric Gordon | SF: Tyreke Evans | PF: Anthony Davis | C: Greg Stiemsma

Injury Report

Atlanta Hawks: Gustavo Ayon (right shoulder surgery), Al Horford (right pectoral muscle surgery) and John Jenkins (lower back surgery) are out.

New Orleans Pelicans: Ryan Anderson (Herniated Disc), Jrue Holiday (right tibia, stress fracture) and Jason Smith (right knee cartilage) are out.

Current Records, Streak & Hot, Lukewarm, or Cold

Records: New Orleans Pelicans (27-40) / Atlanta Hawks (31-35)

Streaks: Atlanta Hawks –> OVERALL: Won 5 | HOME: Won 3 | ROAD: Won 2                New Orleans Pelicans –> OVERALL: Lost 1 | HOME: Lost 1 | ROAD: Won 1

Home/Away Records: Hawks are (2o-11) at home / Pelicans are (11-23) on the road.

Atlanta Hawks: Hot. The Hawks have won a season-best five straight games and could move into a tie for 7th place in the East with a win tonight.

New Orleans Pelicans: Cold. The Pelicans lost their most recent game, and their last three of four overall, but they’ll have a fully healthy Anthony Davis back in the lineup tonight which is always a plus.

Series Notes/Past Series Notes

The Hawks welcome the Pelicans to Philips Arena for the second-and-final contest between the teams this season. New Orleans won the first matchup 105-100 at home on 2/5. Paul Millsap (26 points and 10 rebounds) and Jeff Teague (11 points and 13 assists) each had a double-double for the Hawks. Anthony Davis led the Pelicans with 27 points and 10 rebounds. The Pelicans own a two-game overall win-streak over Atlanta and have won two straight at Philips Arena. The Hawks’ last home victory in the series came on 11/14/09 (121-98). Atlanta owns a 43-40 lead in the all-time series, including a 25-17 home record.

LAST MEETING — PELICANS 105, HAWKS 100 — NEW ORLEANS, LA — 2/5/14

Neither team gained much of an advantage in the first half but it was the Hawks holding a 51-47 lead at the break after outscoring the Pelicans in the second quarter 27-19. Atlanta’s biggest lead in the opening 24 minutes was six while the home team’s was eight. After a 24-24 standoff in the third, the Hawks were able to grab an 83-76 edge with under eight minutes to play. New Orleans responded by outscoring the visitors 29-17 the rest of the way. The Hawks were able to cut a 10-point deficit to three with under 40 seconds on the clock but a Brian Roberts runner and timely free throw shooting secured the win for the Pelicans. Paul Millsap paced Atlanta with 26 points and 10 rebounds and DeMarre Carroll scored a career-best 22 (career-high 9-12 FGs). Jeff Teague added a double-double with 11 points and 13 assists, while Mike Scott scored 16 and Lou Williams 11 off the bench. Anthony Davis had 27 points and 10 boards for New Orleans. The Pelicans won the battle of the boards 50-38 and outscored the Hawks in the paint 50-42 and 14-7 in second chance points.

Common Threads

Gustavo Ayon saw action in 54 games for New Orleans in 2011-12. Pelicans Assistant Coach Fred Vinson is a former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket, and appeared in five games with the Hawks in 1994-95. Anthony Morrow is a Georgia Tech alum and played in 24 games for Atlanta in 2012-13 before being dealt to Dallas where he became a teammate of Elton Brand. Al-Farouq Aminu is a native of Atlanta (Norcross HS), and played with Jeff Teague at Wake Forest. As an Assistant with the Spurs, Mike Budenholzer coached Monty Williams from 1996-98, before Williams joined Budenholzer on the Spurs’ coaching staff as an intern in 2004-05. Elton Brand (2009-12), Shelvin Mack (part of 2012-13) and Lou Williams (2009-12) were all teammates at one time with Jrue Holiday in Philadelphia. Brand (2008-10), Kyle Korver (part of 2007-08) and Lou Williams (2007-10) also all played alongside Jason Smith with the 76ers. Ayon and the Pelicans’ Ryan Anderson were traded for one another on 6/11/12 (Ayon to Orlando and Anderson to New Orleans). Austin Rivers is the son of Hawks great Doc Rivers, the franchise’s all-time leader in assists.

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Information was used from the Hawks and Pelicans official gamenotes

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