Atlanta Hawks: Hawks vs. Nuggets Pre Game Report

The Atlanta Hawks make their way to Denver, a city on a Super Bowl ‘high’ at the moment, to take on the Nuggets for the final game of their four game Western Conference road trip.

Saturday night’s loss to the Phoenix Suns might have been the worst of the season. Granted, the team was without soon to be All-Star Paul Millsap, but the Suns were a team decimated by injuries and coming off one of the worst stretches of basketball the team has played in the last two years. Archie Goodwin scored a game high 24 points while Tyson Chandler hauled in a whopping 27 boards. Jeff Teague had another atrocious game and if it weren’t for the Hawks’ bench, the game wouldn’t have been close in the final seconds.

But let’s not talk about that game, today is a new day and the Hawks get their All-Star back in the Mile High City tonight in another game against a struggling Western Conference foe in the Nuggets. The Nuggets, while not currently as bad as the Suns, are a team on the outside looking in with regards to the West’s playoff picture. This will be the team’s 8th straight game at home (don’t ask me how) but the team has yet to take full advantage, going a mere 4-3 during the first seven.

The team is coming off of a 104-101 win against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday, a game in which Danilo Gallinari scored 30 points and got to the free throw line 16 times. The forward from Italy is having the best statistical season of his career as he is heading towards free agency this summer.

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Tonight’s meeting will be the first of two featuring these two squads. The Nuggets will make their way down south to Atlanta in mid-March. Hawks’ fans should get to know some of the players on this Nuggets team, particularly J.J. Hickson and Randy Foye as both players have been rumored to be available at the deadline. The Hawks could make a play for Hickson to bolster their front line or another Eastern Conference contender could do the same.

Key to the Game:

Jan 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha (25) dribbles the ball up the court against the Phoenix Suns in the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns won 98-95. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

Gallo-20: It would seem quite obvious that the Hawks need to contain Danilo Gallinari this evening. He is the team’s leading scorer and their best all around player. But just how necessary is it to containing him? When Gallinari scores 20+ points, the Nuggets are 13-6 on the season. When he fails to score 20 points, the team is 4-21. You don’t have to be a mathematician to tell that keeping him below 20 points is a must for the Hawks tonight. I’m not so sure that Baze will get first crack at him as he’s a bit undersized to guard the bigger Gallo, but you better believe both Thabo and Millsap will both be key in slowing him down.

I fully expect Kenneth Faried to play tonight so rebounding could be an issue, but isn’t it always?

Projected Starting Lineups:

Atlanta Hawks

PG: Jeff Teague
SG: Kyle Korver
SF: Kent Bazemore
PF: Paul Millsap
C: Al Horford

Notes: Paul Millsap is expected to be back in the lineup after missing Saturday’s game due to personal reasons

Denver Nuggets

PG: Emmanuel Mudiay
SG: Gary Harris
SF: Danilo Gallinari
PF: Kenneth Faried
C: Nikola Jokic

Notes: Jameer Nelson (wrist) is doubtful for tonight’s game and Kenneth Faried (groin) will be a game time decision

Other News & Notes:

Dennis Schroder has rebounded from early season struggles and is now averaging a career high in points, rebounds, assists and steals
A win tonight would move the Hawks into the 3rd spot in the East
The Hawks currently sport a losing record on the road this season
The Hawks & Nuggets split their season series last year with both teams winning at home
Tonight’s game will be broadcast on Fox Sports South (TV) and 92.9 The game (Radio)

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