Hawks vs Jazz: Game Thread (Updated) – Starting Lineups, Injury Report, Series Notes, etc.
By David Menze
Smith gets a bucket in over Millsap. (Kevin C. Cox/NBA/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Hawks will link up with the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City for what looks to be a close matchup. The Hawks were not the only ones with rumors surrounding their very talented power forward. Despite many trade rumors, Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson remain with the Jazz as they look to push towards making the playoffs for the second straight year.
Today is the 30th birthday of Hawks point guard Devin Harris. He was traded to Atlanta for Marvin Williams this past offseason. To this point, it looks like the Hawks won that trade. Arguably, Marvin is having his worst season as an NBA player. He is rebounding and scoring less than ever by averaging only 8 points and 3.5 rebounds in 25.4 minutes of play per game.
Atlanta and Utah duals have provided some classics in recent clashes, including a 4 OT thriller in Philips last season. Utah is coming off of a tough loss to Boston and will be looking to exercise some vengeance to avoid a three game losing streak.
Mo Williams and Raja Bell have been ruled out for tonight’s game, which will force Randy Foye into starting point guard duty. The Jazz are very post heavy with Millsap, Jefferson, Atlanta-native Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter. Millsap and Jefferson contribute over 32 point and 16 rebounds combined, each in over 30 minutes a game. Despite their downfalls defensively, they are one of few big men duos that can match Al Horford and Josh Smith offensively.
In most of the major statistical areas, the Jazz are average to above average. They rarely excel in a certain category, however, like they Hawks, they are in the top five in assist percentage. This is especially impressive because of their recent point guard issues since the departure of Deron Williams. There is a good chance the Hawks can extend their winning streak by attacking in transition and overwhelming the Jazz with their longrange weapons. It will most likely be another thriller.
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Quick Facts
Who?: Atlanta Hawks at Utah Jazz
What?: East vs West Showdown (Game #56, Road Game #28)
Where?: Energy Solutions Arena (Salt Lake City, UT)
When?: Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013 – 9:00 PM (EST)
How?: SportSouth HDTV / 680 AM & 93.7 FM
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Projected Starting Lineups
Atlanta Hawks:
PG: Jeff Teague | SG: Kyle Korver | SF: Anthony Tolliver | PF: Josh Smith | C: Al Horford
Utah Jazz:
PG: Earl Watson | SG: Randy Foye | SF: Marvin Williams | PF: Derrick Favors | C: Al Jefferson
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Injury/Inactive Players Report
Atlanta Hawks: Lou Williams (torn right ACL) is out.
Utah Jazz: Paul Millsap (sprained left ankle) and Mo Williams (right thumb rehab) are out.
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Current Records/Streak & Hot, Lukewarm, or Cold
Records: Atlanta Hawks (32-23) … Utah Jazz (31-26)
Streaks: Atlanta Hawks –> OVERALL: Won 2 / HOME: Won 1 / ROAD: Won 4 … Utah Jazz –> OVERALL: Lost 2 / HOME: Lost 1 / ROAD: Lost 1
Home/Away Records: Hawks are (14-13) away … Jazz are (21-7) at home.
Atlanta Hawks: Lukewarm. Atlanta has won four consecutive road games, scoring over 100 points and dishing out at least 26 assists in each contest. The Hawks are averaging 107.5 points (430), 45.0 rebounds (180) and 29.0 assists (116) per game, while shooting .472 FG% (160-339) and .388 3FG% (47-121) during the streak.
Utah Jazz: Lukewarm. After a three-game win streak that included victories over the Thunder and Warriors, the Jazz have lost two in a row while committing 29 turnovers in the pair of losses.
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Season/Past Season Series
The Hawks visit Utah for the only time this year in the second-and-final meeting with the Jazz. Atlanta posted a 103-95 triumph in the first game (1/11) as six Hawks scored in double-figures. Devin Harris led the way with 24 points and Josh Smith had a double-double (15 points/10 rebounds). Three Jazz players scored 20-plus on the night led by Randy Foye’s 25. Al Jefferson (23 points/10 rebounds) and Paul Millsap (20 points/13 boards) posted double-doubles. Atlanta currently owns a three-game winning streak against the Jazz and has taken the last two in Utah. The Jazz’s last win in the series was a 90-86 triumph at Philips Arena on 11/12/10, while their last home win came on 2/23/09 (108-89). Utah leads the all-time series 48-42, including a 31-12 advantage at home.
LAST MEETING — HAWKS 103, JAZZ 95 — (ATLANTA, GA) — 1/11/13
Down 25-22 after one and 47-43 at the half, the Hawks fell behind big in the third quarter, trailing by 15 (75-60) with 3:28 to go in the third. But the Hawks closed the period on
an 8-1 run to cut the deficit to eight. Atlanta took their first lead of the night with 2:44 left (94-92) and closed out strong for the eight-point win. Atlanta scored 35 in the fourth period. Devin Harris brought a huge spark to Atlanta’s offense, scoring 17 of his season-high 24 points in the second half. The Hawks’ bench was also key, outscoring Utah’s, 42-16. Lou Williams (14), Ivan Johnson (13) and Zaza Pachulia (12) paced the reserves. Josh Smith added 15 points with 10 rebounds, and Al Horford put in 12 points. The Hawks dropped in .556 of their field goals, and made 9-19 from long range. The teams combined to dish out 53 assists (29 for the Jazz, 24 for the Hawks) and Atlanta turned 17 Utah turnovers into 23 points. The Hawks ended the night with the advantage in points in the paint against the bigger Jazz, 52-44.
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Common Threads
Devin Harris (part of 2010-11 and 2011-12), Kyle Korver (part of 2007-08-through-2010) and DeShawn Stevenson (2000-through-part of 2003-04) are all former players for Utah. Jazz head coach Tyrone Corbin had a couple different stints with the Hawks, playing in 277 regular season games for Atlanta between 1994-99. Utah assistant Sidney Lowe played 15 games for Atlanta in 1984-85. Marvin Williams played in 487 games for the Hawks from 2005-12. Hawks assistant Bob Weiss coached Corbin as San Antonio’s head coach during the 1986-87 season. Zaza Pachulia and Mo Williams teamed-up in Milwaukee in 2004-05. Anthony Tolliver and Raja Bell all played for Golden State in 2009-10. Devin Harris and Derrick Favors played for New Jersey in 2010-11, before Harris and Favors were dealt to Utah. Stevenson and Randy Foye played together with Washington for part of the 2009-10 campaign. Johan Petro and Earl Watson were teammates with Seattle/Oklahoma City (part of 2005-06-through-part of 2008-09). Hawks assistant Lester Conner coached Jamaal Tinsley while a member of the Pacers coaching staff. Favors played his college ball at Georgia Tech, and is an Atlanta native (South Atlanta HS). Kevin Murphy is from the Atlanta area having attended Creekside High School in Fairburn.
Information was used from the Hawks and Jazz official gamenotes