Assists are not the Hawks' problem

[HMFFL]

Anyone looking for a direct link between what the Hawks do or don't do when they win and what they do or don't' do when they lose need look no further than their number of assists.

In their five-game win streak last month, the Hawks didn't have a game with fewer than 24 assists. In their three-game losing streak before Saturday night's loss to New Jersey at Philips Arena, the Hawks didn't have more than 13 assists in any one game. The Hawks had a season-high 31 on Saturday, but it didn't change the final result as they dropped their fourth consecutive game and third to start the calendar year.

Foul play

Hawks coach Mike Woodson spent a considerable amount of time in the second half bickering with the game officials over a discrepancy in second-half free-throw attempts that favored the Nets to the tune of a 23-7 advantage with just over five minutes to play.

And the chatter was hardly one-sided, as the officials that engaged Woodson returned as much verbal fire as they received. But it was Hawks forward Marvin Williams that got the technical for arguing with the officials.

He got one with 4:48 to play, after he fouled out. Joe Johnson followed him 24 seconds later when he picked up his sixth foul but didn't say a word as he walked to the bench.

Zaza makes an appearance

Hawks veteran center Zaza Pachulia didn't play a second in Friday's loss in Indiana but made a brief appearance Saturday night, playing two minutes and 21 seconds in the third quarter. He missed his only shot and turned the ball over twice before being yanked.

No Kidd-ing around

Nets guard Jason Kidd recorded the 96th triple-double of his career Saturday night with 10 points, 13 rebounds and 14 assists.

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[tbhawksfan]

Don't understand the title, seems like the point of the article is that assists are the problem.

[killbuckner]

The Hawks had a season high 31 assists on Saturday and still lost. That was the point of the title.

[Master8492]

Hawks defense has been shaky since Lue, Zaza and Chill return.

[killbuckner]

Master- the past 3 games Lue and Zaza haven't played enough to make a difference. its not like the team has been getting killed with them on the floor. Zaza played for 2 minutes against the Nets- the defensive problems can't be put on him.