EARLY GAME: 3/15 Portland @ Atlanta 1pm

Post #1 » by **HMFFL** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 11:15 pm

Atlanta favored to win by 4 points. O/U 187.

vs.

evildallas · Post #2 » by **evildallas** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 12:36 am

I'm taking the Hawks and the over. Another opponent that has given the Hawks fits. At least these games are at home.

ATL DirtyBird · Post #3 » by **ATL DirtyBird** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 1:17 am

I have a bad bad feeling about this game. Didnt see last nights game but I just hope they play like they did when they beat the Hornets and Jazz.

Go Hawks!

PDXKnight · Post #4 » by **PDXKnight** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 1:28 am

Your team is much better at home this season so on paper, this should be a win for the Hawks. It should be interesting to see if this game is much like previous Hawks-Blazers games in which case it probably gives Portland the advantage. That said, ATL will most likely bring much more tomorrow afternoon than they have in previous Blazer games.

HoopsGuru25 · Post #5 » by **HoopsGuru25** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 1:52 am

I would actually take the Blazers and the under(two of the slowest paced teams in the NBA playing at an odd starting time) if I put money on the game for 3 reasons. Portland isn't a good road team but they were even worse away from home last year and they beat us. We also just don't match up well against them because they are such a great offensive rebounding team and the Hawks are one of the worst. Sneakerking had also done the last 4 game threads and we were 4-0(I guess this is a lame attempt at an anti-jinx by bringing it up before hand).

Will Oden and Fernandez play?

Hawkeyes · Post #6 » by **Hawkeyes** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 1:58 am

The difference between Portland and us last year was execution late. They won both meetings with clutch plays down the stretch to break our hearts. We led the whole first half at Portland in the first meeting, but ended up falling apart and losing by 10. The meetings seem to be close most of the time, but I have a good feeling about this Hawk team when they are at home. We always challenge the top teams at home, and have beat Cleveland by 5, lost to them by 2, lost to Boston by 3, and beaten several good teams like Utah, New Orleans, Detroit, Miami, Denver, etc. I think it'll be tight for three quarters, but the Hawks come through big in the 4th like they have lately.

Hawks 98 Blazers 91.

I'll be rooting for Portland in the Western Conference when the playoffs come. I love watching that team play, and they are probably the most disrespected team in basketball. Nobody ever talks about them, but they continue to play well, and they beatdown the Lakers the other night which is very impressive.

taufblazers33 · Post #7 » by **taufblazers33** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 2:17 am

good luck to u guys.

Hawks are one of my favorite teams in the nba.. i just love watching ur team play.

ATL DirtyBird · Post #8 » by **ATL DirtyBird** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 2:34 am

HoopsGuru25 wrote:I would actually take the Blazers and the under(two of the slowest paced teams in the NBA playing at an odd starting time) if I put money on the game for 3 reasons. Portland isn't a good road team but they were even worse away from home last year and they beat us. We also just don't match up well against them because they are such a great offensive rebounding team and the Hawks are one of the worst. Sneakerking had also done the last 4 game threads and we were 4-0(I guess this is a lame attempt at an anti-jinx by bringing it up before hand).

Will Oden and Fernandez play?

I was about to make the game thread and when I refreshed the page it had already been made. During a short win streak weve been rebounding quite well but like guru said i dont expect that to contiune against this team. Aldridge will prob give us more trouble with his akward game. I would like to get Joel and Roy in some foul trouble early. Its gonna be a low scoring game most likely.
Hawks 92 Blazers 87.

ATL DirtyBird · Post #9 » by **ATL DirtyBird** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 2:35 am

Also Fernandez and Oden are listed as day to day and are traveling with the team, but I dont expect either of them to play.

evildallas · Post #10 » by **evildallas** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 3:17 am

I'm expecting the odd starting time to affect defensive effort, which was why I went with the over.

Retrovision · Post #11 » by **Retrovision** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 4:38 am

Ill just pretend we are on national tv then watch the 3;30 game on abc.

Post #12 » by **The Sebastian Express** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 12:27 pm

I believe that Fernandez is a game-time decision for today's game. Oden is with the team but we do not know if he will be playing in today's game or mid-week.

Please to be kicking some ass in the playoffs this year Hawks. Especially if you match up with Boston again.

Post #13 » by **HMFFL** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 2:16 pm

We have only beat Portland one time during the last ten meetings.

evildallas · Post #14 » by **evildallas** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 3:47 pm

HMFFL wrote:We have only beat Portland one time during the last ten meetings.

Perhaps "another team that gives the Hawks fits" wasn't strongly stated enough, but I'm still banking on the importance of holding home court.

Master8492 · Post #15 » by **Master8492** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 4:59 pm

Joe's been heating up. Josh's been playing well also... maybe it's the home court or maybe they're somewhat healthy again, but it looks like everyone's finding there comfort zone. I'm expecting a good performance from the Hawks.

ATL DirtyBird · Post #16 » by **ATL DirtyBird** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 5:22 pm

Joe is cookin. When Mike isnt getting his open looks I think he feels compelled to hoist up contested shots in the face of 7 fts, GREAT IDEA MIKE! For the most part good intensity on defense. Josh is gonna need some help on Aldridge, and it would be nice if Horford would put a body on Joel.

ATL DirtyBird · Post #17 » by **ATL DirtyBird** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 5:30 pm

This is why Joe is my favorite player in the league. Its a thing of beauty watching Joe right now.

tontoz · Post #18 » by **tontoz** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 5:48 pm

I hate when Smith hits his first jumper. You know that just encourages him to jack up more of them.

HoopsGuru25 · Post #19 » by **HoopsGuru25** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 5:52 pm

Bibby just watching the ball when it's up for grabs assuming someone else will get it annoys the hell out of me.

ATL DirtyBird · Post #20 » by **ATL DirtyBird** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 5:55 pm

I realize Joe was hot in the first quarter and has cooled off significantly but why are we just handing it off and watching him play 1 on 1. He should utilize this oppurtunity to make the defense fold when he drives so he can kick out. Also get Josh on the block and Al on the block and give it to them, just dont shoot the baby hook Josh.