25 23 25 23
32 29 27 25
BOX SCORE
People of Atlanta, fans of the Atlanta Hawks and the NBA, its not quite time to panic, but if the Hawks ever play like that again against anybody it might be safe to start panicking. the Atlanta Hawks entered the game against the Indiana Pacers on a 3 game losing streak, all season, thus far, we had only lost to the Celtics (epic), and those Nets back-to-back losses (we really should have at least got 1 of those), so the Hawks were eager to get their swagger back and win another one on the road against a pretty good team in the Pacers.
Although the events that transpired in that game, such as the injury of Al Horford in the first quarter (prayers and blessings from Heaven that he will be back for tonights home game), could not have been prepared for or easily overcomeable (new word), but they had soo many opportunities and each one of them were squandered away seemingly carelessly especially in the 4th quarter, PeachtreeHoops sums it up so sadly:
Without both Josh Smith and (for the final 41 minutes) Al Horford, Atlanta's primary defensive deficiencies shifted from limiting dribble penetration to keeping any Pacer over 6' 8" from doing whatever he wanted. Rasho Nesterovic scored 21 points. Troy Murphy had 19 rebounds. Jeff Foster had 12 points (5-6 FGA) and 5 rebounds in 22 minutes. Fox Sports South must have chosen not to show Roy Hibbert begging Jim O'Brien to put him in the game.
Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby did what they could offensively* but they barely combined to match Danny Granger's production. Acie Law IV took advantage of his late introduction to the game and fueled a run that got the Hawks within 7 with 7:59 to play. Atlanta had three chances to cut the lead further (four if you count Maurice Evans' missed tip on Joe Johnson's three-pointer) but could only muster an off-balance Marvin Williams jump shot, a Joe Johnson runner, and a Joe Johnson three-point attempt.
Al Horford tonight?
Al Horford is listed as day-to-day, but the question is, if he doesn't play who starts in his place? Randolph Morris? Othello Hunter? we need a banger down there, someone just to protect the paint, get rebounds and blocks, someone who only shot he will take is a putback. Also someone who will NOT shoot 0-6 in a critical game on the road while starting in place of the best forward on the team...oh wait, he is still starting, could we possibly start the worst frontcount in NBA History tonight?
Mike Bibby - Joe Johnson - Marvin Williams - ZaZa Pachulia - Randolph Morris
Mr. Morris has not earned my trust yet, he played a good game that one time in the preseason, but in all of his minutes thus far this season he has been an incredible liability, and his on-court demeanor he seems to be emotionless or careless, even if of course he cares and loves basketball, in not expressing that he will not be able to seize moments and opporitunities like a clutch, veteran player would.
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