Jan 27, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Atlanta Hawks small forward Josh Smith (5) dunks during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Knicks won 106-104. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Greetings! With four games on tap in the past week, the Hawks faced a significant challenge, but after a bunch of entertaining battles, there were more wins than losses, and that’s always a positive thing. Let’s take a look.

Hawks vs. T-Wolves — Monday, January 21st — Win (104-96)

The Jannero Pargo show! Wait… Jannero Pargo!? Yes, the Hawks inked Pargo to a 10-day contract in response to the rash of backcourt injuries, and he was immediately forced into action on MLK day against Minnesota. Fortunately, he showed up in a big way with 16 points (on 6 of 11 shooting) and 4 assists in pushing the Hawks to a huge second half comeback and a comfortable win. As a team, Atlanta shot a blistering 58% from the field and 62.5% (10 for 16) from three-point distance to overcome a whopping 22 turnovers in the win. Ultimately, the 60-38 point differential in the second half was the key to victory, but Al Horford (as usual) provided the steadying influence and his best scoring night of the year with 28 points and 10 rebounds to lead the way. It wasn’t always pretty, but this was a gritty win.

Hawks @ Bobcats — Wednesday, January 23rd — Win (104-92)

Of the four games this week, this was the “easy” match-up and Atlanta took care of business. Josh Smith’s 30 points and 13 rebounds leap off of the stat sheet, but the Hawks offense was very solid overall, assisting on 31 of 43 baskets, and shooting 50% from the field and 48% from three. Kyle Korver shot 8 of 11 including four threes made to notch a 21-point game, and he really looked like he found his groove here (more to come in the next game). This was the second straight game where Pargo and Jenkins were the only backcourt mates for Teague, but both guys produced solid efforts and combined for 16 points and 7 assists in 42 minutes. For Charlotte, Hawks killer Ramon Sessions went off for 27 points on just 16 field goal attempts, but Atlanta managed to put a lid on Kemba Walker, and that was enough to cruise to the win.

Hawks vs. Celtics — Friday, January 25th — Win (123-111 in 2OT)

This was unquestionably the best comeback of the season for the Hawks, and one of the best wins of the year. Atlanta trailed by as many as 27 points in the first half, but Kyle Korver sparked a giant third quarter rally and the Hawks were able to close things out in double overtime. Korver’s eight three point field goals were the story of the game, coming off of screens and firing at will against swarming Boston defense, and it was just another example of the difference it makes to have dead-eye three point options on the roster. With as important as Korver was, however, he wasn’t the only hero on this night, as Al Horford played a staggering 51 minutes, scoring 24 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, while Jeff Teague had an ultra-efficient 23 points and 7 assists before fouling out. I could write 1,000 words on this game alone, but even in the midst of this win, there is some cause for concern. The Hawks had absolutely no answer for the Rondo/Garnett pick-and-roll and I believe that Atlanta may have lost the game if Garnett didn’t exit in the overtimes after fouling out. He was that dominant at times. With all of that stated, it was a great second-half performance by Atlanta, causing 19 turnovers from Boston (they had just 2 in the opening half), and scoring a ridiculous 85 points in 34 minutes including the two overtimes. What a win.

Hawks @ Knicks — Sunday, January 27th — Loss (106-104)

This one hurt a little. After a 3-0 start to the week, the Hawks took it on the road to the mecca of basketball and Madison Square Garden to face the Knicks for the first time all season. It was unquestionably the tightest game of the week overall, with no team ever pulling away to comfortable distance, and it was a see-saw battle from the jump. The unquestioned story of the night was Carmelo Anthony, who scored 42 points and connected on a crazy nine threes in the game and basically took things over. I lead with that to illustrate that it really does matter when you have an elite player on your team, because Atlanta played really, really well in this game…. and still lost. The Hawks shot 60% from the field (a season-high), out-rebounded New York, and actually converted 80% of their free-throw attempts (a minor miracle). Jeff Teague was electric at times, scoring 27 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and dishing out 6 assists, and Josh Smith was typically productive and maddening at the same time. It was a perfect illustration of “Good Josh” vs. “Bad Josh” in the late 4th quarter as well. Smith thunder-dunked on New York only to nearly airball the and-1 free throw. He ran a beautiful pick-and-roll with Al Horford that caused a near-frenzy on twitter. He committed an absolutely egregious and inexcusable backcourt violation with under two minutes to play. He got caught flat-footed and allowed Carmelo Anthony to absolutely blow by him on the game-winner (even if it wasn’t a foul). He took six threes in the game, including the potential game-winner that never had a chance. This game had it all. In the end, it’s only one loss, and there is zero shame in losing to a good Knicks team on the road, but that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t a painful one.

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In the end, 3-1 looks absolutely wonderful after the slide that Atlanta was on for the previous two weeks, and there are various positives to take out of the week. It was a reminder that Atlanta’s “good” is on par with the best teams in the conference, and while consistency is still a challenge, the depths of the lottery are still out of reach.

January 23, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith (5) dives against Charlotte Bobcats forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) during the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Hawks win 104-92. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Hawks only dressed 10 players because of injury but were able to pull out a solid 104-92 victory.

Ivan Johnson made the most of his first career start with a game to remember. Without Al Horford or Zaza Pachulia, Ivan picked up the rebounding slack with a game-high 15 rebounds, including 6 offensive.

The Hawks again avoided iso-ball and assisted on a large percentage of their field goals (31 assists on 43 field goals). Kyle Korver played a game-high 41 minutes and was scorching hot from the field. He was 8-11, including a lights-out 5-6 from three.

Josh Smith put up a monster effort with 30 points, 13 boards, 8 assists and 3 blocks. His 15 made field goals ties a career high. He also logged his 2000th career assist in the game, moving him past Bill Bridges and into 12th all time in franchise history.

For the second game in a row, Jannero Pargo came in off the bench in place of an injured Devin Harris. Though he could not replicate his hot shooting, he was serviceable. Rookies Mike Scott and John Jenkins also saw time due to necessity. DeShawn Stevenson made his first start since December 21, 18 games ago, but struggled shooting the ball.

It was a definitive victory over a very bad team. The two game winning streak represents much needed momentum heading into Friday’s bout with the rival Boston Celtics. The Hawks will look to exact revenge on a C’s team that embarrassed the Hawks in the second half of the last game. If neither Al Horford nor Zaza Pachulia can go, it will be a tough hill to climb. Whatever the case, Soaring Down South will keep you up-to-date on all the late-breaking injury news.

Game Balls:

1. Josh Smith: Smoove was one off of his season-high for points and tied for his season-high of rebounds tonight. He was relied upon with this Hawks team missing Al and Zaza and certainly delivered tonight. Atlanta is a very dangerous team when Josh is on like he was tonight.

2. Kyle Korver: Korver was money all night long. He found his rhythm early on and the Bobcats failed to close out on him effectively. You can’t be more efficient than 21 points on 11 shots or almost 2 points per shot.

3. Ivan Johnson: Despite his poor shooting, Ivan was a force down low. He captured 15 boards in 32 minutes and intimidated anyone who dare cross his path.

Dec 13, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Charlotte Bobcats head coach Mike Dunlap during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 113-90. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

In a lockout shortened 2011-12 campaign, the Bobcats managed only 7 wins in 66 games for a .106 winning percentage, the worst in NBA history, including dropping their final 23 games. In the offseason, the Bobcats let 32 year NBA head coach and former player Paul Silas go and brought in a younger but still experienced Mike Dunlap to help communicate to the young players and wash the hands of the dreadful past. They came out of the gates this season on fire, winning 7 of their first 12 games. However, ever since I wrote nice words like this,

It’s easy to see the improvement the ‘Cats have made since last year. Kemba Walker has taken a huge step forward in leading this young roster. Ramon Sessions and Brendan Haywood have been timely pickups in the offseason and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Jeff Taylor look to be impressive rookies. [H]at tip goes to [the] General Manager and Coach Mike Dunlap for turning around a franchise headed toward perennial laughingstock territory…[T]hey have already made strides in rebuilding the entire organization into more than just a collection of basketball players.

The Bobcats have failed to keep up their winning ways. Since the 7-5 start, they have gone 3-26, resembling their non-competitive team they fielded last season.

The first 12 games was a classic case in small sample size and the past 29 games have been a lesson in natural regression to the mean. It’s easy to understand why the Bobcats have performed so poorly. In short, there is a lack of enough decent talent. They are the only team in the bottom three in offensive and defensive efficiency and own the league’s worst efficiency differential. They have been outscored by over 8 points a match, easily the worst in the league and will most likely find another top 5 pick in the 2013 NBA draft.

The ‘Cats main guards, Kemba Walker and Ramon Sessions, both are largely shoot first types. The Bobcats are last in assists per game and assist rate, despite not having very many playmakers. Ben Gordon is still a very capable long range shooter, as the Hawks came to understand in a November 28 matchup, when he dropped 7 three pointers in 10 tries, including 5 for 7 and 20 points in the fourth quarter alone. He will be a handful for whoever draws him, probably John Jenkins or Devin Harris.

Al Horford and Zaza Pachulia have been declared out for the matchup in Time Warner Arena. The Bobcats will be without their top rebounder, Byron Mullens so both teams may have to go small ball due to injuries. In his place will be Bismack Biyombo and Brendan Haywood, who both boast PER below 10 and will be liabilities on offense.

In short, this is a very bad basketball team that masqueraded as decent early in the season. Despite the numerous injuries, the Hawks should have an advantage at all positions save possibly point guard. Ivan Johnson and even Johan Petro will be expected to step up and fill the places of Horford and Pachulia on the boards. Devin Harris and Jannero Pargo should be able to take advantage of a poor defense and provide scoring. Add it all up and it equals a likely Hawks win, but Atlanta has been known to play down to their opponents. Will Larry Drew be able to rally the troops after a big win over the Timberwolves? Tune in tonight.