Peace Out — Hawks head coach Larry Drew is rumored to be a candidate with the Philadelphia 76ers when his contract with Atlanta expires at season’s end. (AP)

Larry Drew has made a nice home in Atlanta the past three seasons as Hawks head coach but when his contract ends in June, and if general manager Danny Ferry doesn’t sign him to an extension, the Philadelphia 76ers job opening could be a possible landing spot.

“Larry loves coaching, and he wants to continue as a head coach,” a league source tells The Philadelphia Inquirer. “He’s in a difficult situation, and it’s hard to say what will happen in Atlanta.”

The 76ers are looking for a new coach after Doug Collins resigned one day after the regular-season ended.

Ferry was hired as Hawks GM last summer and has yet to have any talks with Drew regarding a new deal.

There was speculation that Ferry was interested in hiring Mike Brown for the position but Brown recently signed to be the new coach of his former team in the Cleveland Cavaliers. Brown’s first stint with the Cavs lasted from 2005-10 and ended six weeks before LeBron James made the decision to take his talents to South Beach. Ferry was the GM who hired Brown in Cleveland. It was Ferry’s first gig as GM, likewise for Brown as head coach.

Drew has led the Hawks to the playoffs in each of his three seasons as head coach.

Apr 10, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) shoots under pressure from Philadelphia 76ers center Lavoy Allen (50) during the fourth quarter at the Wells Fargo Center. The Hawks defeated the Sixers 124-101. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Greetings! With some help from the NCAA Title Game, the Hawks had some extra rest before a sparse, two-game week, and they were able to take advantage. Let’s take a quick glance at what went down.

Hawks @ Sixers — Wednesday, April 10th — Win (124-101)

This was a dominant road win for Atlanta, and it was led by the offense. The Hawks shot a blistering 54% from the field on the night, led by one of the best games of the season from Josh Smith. Smith shot 11-for-18 from the field, a shocking 5-for-5 from the free throw line, scored 28 points, and grabbed 12 rebounds in just 29 minutes, and was generally the best player on the court. Al Horford (16 points, 9 rebounds), Jeff Teague (13 points, 11 assists), and John Jenkins (21 points, 6 assists, 3-4 3-PT) all had tremendous games for Atlanta, and Philadelphia had no answers. It’s tough to avoid being tantalized by this performance, as “Good Josh” reared his head for the entirety of the game, but it is a reminder of just how tremendous he can be when everything is going right. Solid win.

Hawks vs. Bucks — Friday, April 12th — Win (109-104)

Milwaukee put up a fight throughout in this one, but the starting five produced in a big way and the Hawks were able to hold on for a big home win. Smith, Horford, and Teague all played 38+ minutes in this game, with Horford playing 43 minutes to anchor the middle, and each guy played well. Horford led all rebounders with 17, and added 18 points, while Smith and Teague scored 24 points each, and Teague had another double-double with 10 assists. The achilles heel for Atlanta in this game was at the free-throw line (17 for 25), but 51% from the field helped to overcome that, and the defensive effort was strong for most of the night, holding the Bucks (putrid) offense to 41% shooting. Milwaukee was able to stay in the game on the back of the three-point shot (where they made a staggering 17 of 33), but Atlanta walled off the paint, and was able to overcome that barrage.

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At an absolutely crucial point of the season, the Atlanta Hawks went out and took care of business in two winnable games, and as a result, they currently hold a half-game lead (with Chicago playing in Miami as I type this) for the 5th seed, and if the Hawks can hold serve next week, they will successfully avoid the Pacers in round one. Every game counts in April, and tensions are high. Stay tuned.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 10: Mike Scott #32 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots a driving layup against Justin Holiday #14 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on April 10, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Game Grades: Each player is given a grade on an A+ through F scale based upon their performance.

Box Score

Atlanta Hawks

Jeff Teague: B+

Jeff shot just under 50% to get 13 points but silently dished out 11 assists, while not committing a single turnover.

Devin Harris: B+
Good to see Devin back in the lineup and playing facilitator with eight points and eight assists in 18 minutes.

Kyle Korver: C-

Korver was off in the first half but when the second started we saw him hitting those mid-range jumpers we’re accustomed to seeing. His 3-point streak continued which is all that anyone really cares about. 71 straight!

Josh Smith: A+

This is the Josh Smith we all wanted to see from the beginning of the season. We got it all tonight. Spins to the basket, hooks, assists, crashing the boards, and of course his tough defense. He had a double-double recorded by the third quarter and just looked unstoppable.

Al Horford: B

We got consistent Al Horford as he put up 16 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. His 2012-13 numbers are 17/10/3/1. And that mid-range game is still a thing of beauty.

John Jenkins: A+

The rookie gets better every time he gets on the floor. We knew he could shoot, we’re learning he can defend, and now we’re watching him penetrate in the paint and draw fouls. Very impressive.

DeShawn Stevenson: C-

DeShawn had a rough night. He couldn’t hit a shot (0-4) and committed a turnover. But oddly enough had the best +/- of all the Hawks’ reserves with +17.

Mike Scott: A

I don’t think I have been this excited about a second round draft pick since……… ever. Scott has a good future ahead of him and seems to have amazing chemistry with fellow rookie John Jenkins.

Ivan Johnson: C+

Ivan definitely made a difference in the first half, coming in with energy everytime he hits the floor. Nice production too with eight points, five rebounds and one steal in 18 minutes.

Philadelphia 76ers

Jrue Holliday: D-

The first time all-star was had a very rough night. Correction, a horrible night. He seemed to miss everything he threw up and couldn’t seem to handle the ball with five turnovers. He only had one assist.

Damien Wilkins: D

The former Hawk missed every shot he took from the field (0-7), only scoring on free-throws (6-6).

Evan Turner: D

Turner struggled the entire game, scoring nine points on 12 shot attempts while committing five turnovers.

Thaddeus Young: A+

It’s confirmed. This man is a Hawks killer. Scored the most first half points (22) than any other Sixer this season. That’s all you need to know.

Spencer Hawes: D

He played like how I thought Spencer Hawes would play: five points and six rebounds in 25 minutes.

Nick Young: B+
No matter what team he plays for, Nick Young will always hit ridiculous shots against the Hawks. He led the bench with 19 points on six-of-nine shooting, including three long-range bombs.

Dorell Wright: B
I forgot this guy plays for them, until he drilled a couple of 3′s. Overall solid game with 15 points, two steals, one rebound and one assist.

Lavoy Allen: C-
In 12 minutes he grabbed two rebounds…….yeah, that’s it.

Arnett Moultrie: C

Moltrie logged a good amount of minutes (22) but seemed forgettable when he was on the court. Finished with seven points and seven rebounds.