Tuesday: Atlanta at Portland

[evildallas]

Starts shortly on SportsSouth.

Portland (2-2) favored by 7 over Atlanta (2-1) O/U is 192.

The Hawks are looking to bounce back after their first setback on the season. Portland is another team that gives us fits normally with 4th quarter spurts.

Injuries:
Batum is out most of the season and Aldridge is a game-time decision.

Nothing significant on the Hawks side (Collins is still day-to-day).

[tontoz]

Ugh 3-14 from the field to start. Marvin missed a wide open dunk.

[johnny878]

Ugh 3-14 from the field to start. Marvin missed a wide open dunk.

that was pathetic

[HoopsGuru25]

The Hawks are definitely playing with more energy than Sunday...but they are still a little tough to watch. 2 missed dunks(should Smiths have been a foul?)and turnover while trying to get the last shot that leads to a dunk.

I'm not sure they can win though. Portland just seems like an awful matchup for us. It seems like it's a huge mismatch advantage every time they post Aldridge,Miller,Outlaw,or Roy up and they have two huge centers cleaning up the boards. I just need to see the effort they showed in these 1st 20-22 minutes vs Sac and Charlotte.

[JoshB914]

The lack of respect Joe gets from the refs is just unbelievable. He got hacked by three guys there and should have gone to the line for two, instead Portland gets the ball and a three-point play from Roy.

[johnny878]

miracle that the hawks are down one at the half. im liking this crawford trade so far LOL.

[JoshB914]

Some major positives from that first half. That is a game that would have spiraled out of control in the first quarter last season with us shooting poorly and Joe struggling from the field. We are seeing the value of having a deep team now, with Craw and Zaza being able to keep us afloat as we battled back into the game.

This is a game where Bibby's defense is really hurting us, when Miller and Roy are both in the backcourt he simply can't matchup.

[tontoz]

Crawford came up huge in the first half. He has really shown his value. If the starters are struggling he can come in jacking and if he his hot he can get the Hawks right back in the game.

Nice to see the Hawks hanging tough on the boards. The Blazers are one of the best rebounding teams in the league.

Man JJ sure came up lame after calling the team out.

[HoopsGuru25]

I'm impressed so far. The Hawks actually look like a team whose hungry for a win and who isn't going to crap their pants as soon as something goes the other teams way. I expected Portland to blow the game open after they went up 6 and the Hawks responded. Still 1 quarter to play though.

[plusjay]

so...whats going on with teague? why is he not playing tonite??

[tontoz]

so...whats going on with teague? why is he not playing tonite??

He played well last game so he will probably get a DNP tonight. Woody logic.

[HoopsGuru25]

Crawford is not a point guard-but I love the fact that he operates very early in the shot clock. I cringe whenever I see the Hawks walk the ball up the court and pass it to Joe while everyone else stands there until its 5 seconds on the shot clock.

[johnny878]

this is awesome

[parson]

This lineup looks promising. Crawford is looking good in this role.

[HoopsGuru25]

I have no idea why the Hawks just took out an extra defender/rebounder and put Bibby back in...but hopefully he hits a big shot and proves me wrong.

[HoopsGuru25]

Portland has a huge size advantage at pg,sf,pf,and center now....

[tontoz]

Huge 3 by JJ.

[HoopsGuru25]

Sweet pass by Crawford. Thank God that Bibby TO didn't cost us and Joe has played big down the stretch.

[parson]

Did we just get away with goal-tending?

Not that I'm complaining.

[tontoz]

I'm glad they called a time out after that exchange. i needed to catch my breath. Whew