76ers vs Hawks: Game Thread – DeMarre Carroll and Kyle Korver Both Active

Jan 31, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer during a video review during the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Hawks defeated the Sixers 125-99. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Game Preview

The slumping Atlanta Hawks get a much-needed lift tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers, as starters DeMarre Carroll and Kyle Korver will both return to the lineup after missing the previous game.

Both players took part in shootaround earlier this morning.

Carroll missed Saturday night’s game at Washington due to a stomach illness. He had to be hospitalizaed Friday for IV fluids, reports Hawks beat writer Chris Vivlamore of the AJC.

Korver had back spasms and is returning from a six-game stint on the disabled list — the Hawks were 0-6 in his absence.

This is a must-win game for the Hawks, who are holding a slim one-game lead over the New York Knicks for the eighth and final playoff spot.

Quick Facts

Who?: Philadelphia 76ers vs Atlanta Hawks

What?: Eastern Conference Showdown (Game #73, Home Game #35)

Where?: Philips Arena (Atlanta, GA)

When?: Monday March 31, 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

Philadelphia 76ers:

PG: Michael Carter-Williams | SG: James Anderson | SF: Thaddedus Young | PF: Hollis Thompson | C: Henry Sims

Injury Report

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

Philadelphia 76ers: Byron Mullens (left ankle sprain) is a game-time decision. Nerlens Noel (left knee injury) is out.

Current Records, Streak & Hot, Lukewarm, or Cold

Records: Philadelphia 76ers (16-57) / Atlanta (31-41)

Streaks: Atlanta Hawks –> OVERALL: Lost 6 | HOME: Lost 3 | ROAD: Lost 3              Philadelphia 76ers –> OVERALL: Won 1 | HOME: Won 1 | ROAD: Lost 12

Home/Away Records: Hawks are (20-14) at home / 76ers are (7-28) on the road.

Atlanta Hawks: Cold. The Hawks have lost six games in a row.

Philadelphia 76ers: Red Freakin’ Hot. The 76ers finally broke their 26-game losing streak! NEXT STOP NBA FINALS!!!

Series Notes/Past Series Notes

The 76ers come to Philips Arena for the second time this year in the third-and-final meeting with the Hawks. Atlanta has taken the first two games, posting a 113-103 home win on 11/15 and a 125-99 road decision on 1/31/14. Jeff Teague tallied 33 points and 10 assists to lead the Hawks in the first contest, with Evan Turner pacing the 76ers with 27 points. Elton Brand and Mike Scott scored 18 apiece for Atlanta in the second meeting, while Thaddeus Young put in 29 for the home team. The Hawks have won three straight in the series overall, including the last game at Philips Arena (11/15/13). The Sixers last win over Atlanta was a 101-90 triumph at Philips Arena on 4/5/13. The Hawks lead the all-time series 161-159, including a 98-52 home mark.

LAST MEETING — HAWKS 125, 76ERS 99 — WELLS FARGO CENTER — PHILADELPHIA — 1/31/14

Atlanta started hot offensively, grabbing a 64-52 lead at the break, before exploding in the third and outscoring Philadelphia 38-23 for a 102-75 advantage heading to the final frame. Seven Hawks scored in double-figures led by Mike Scott (nine rebounds) and Elton Brand with 18 apiece off the bench. DeMarre Carroll scored 13, Paul Millsap (season-high six steals) 12, Jeff Teague 12, Lou Williams 12 and Kyle Korver 11. Thaddeus Young tallied 29 points for the 76ers and Lavoy Allen had a double-double (11 points/10 rebounds). The Hawks bench outscored their Philly counterparts 70-41. Atlanta recorded 36 assists and 15 steals on the night, while outscoring the home team in the paint 58-42. For the game, the Hawks shot .506 FG%, .500 3FG% (8-16) and .794 FT% (27-34), compared to .368 FG%, .273 3FG% (6-22) and .784 FT% (29-37) for the Sixers. Atlanta took their first lead of the night (7-5) with just under nine minutes to play in the first quarter, after falling behind by three early on, and never trailed again.

Common Threads

Lou Williams played 455 games for Philadelphia from 2005-12. Kyle Korver was with the 76ers for four-plus years (2003 through part of the 2007-08 season). Elton Brand played for Philly from 2008-12. Shelvin Mack was with the Sixers last year, seeing action in four games. Hawks Assistant Coach Quin Snyder was an Assistant with Philadelphia in 2010-11. Sixers Assistant Coach for Player Development Greg Foster played 33 games for Atlanta in 1992-93. James Nunnally played in four games for Atlanta earlier this year after inking two 10-day contracts. Thaddeus Young played college ball at Georgia Tech in 2006-07. James Anderson played for San Antonio (2010-part of 2012-13) while Hawks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer was an Assistant on the Spurs’ bench. Budenholzer and Sixers Head Coach Brett Brown were both Assistants under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio.

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Information was used from the Hawks and 76ers official gamenotes

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