Wed: Atlanta at San Antonio

[HMFFL]

Favored to Win:
San Antonio by 3.5

Over/Under:
195

Recent Meetings:
03/25/09 ATL 92 - SA 102
12/10/08 SA 95 - ATL 89
02/25/08 SA 89 - ATL 74
11/20/07 ATL 83 - SA 95
02/21/07 ATL 96 - SA 103
12/31/06 SA 95 - ATL 81
12/10/05 ATL 94 - SA 84
11/15/05 SA 103 - ATL 79
03/25/05 SA 111 - ATL 95
11/13/04 ATL 88 - SA 103

[evildallas]

San Antonio is a huge demon to exorcise. They've dominated us for years in spite of often missing a key player for the game. We are catching them at a time when they lost 5 of the last 6 though, so maybe we'll be fortunate. No room for a slip up if Woody is going to coach in the ASG.

[ATL DirtyBird]

They lost 3 in a row at home so I expect there best effort. This is gonna be an ugly game.

[Skyhawk1]

This is a game we have to play close to perfection to have a chance. The Spurs are struggling now and will for the rest of the season, but they're still tough to beat. They still have some kind of system where everyone has a pretty well defined role. Anyway, we haven't had a chance to win in SA like this in forever. BEAT THE SPURS!

[MaceCase]

Outside of Duncan, we could dominate their frontline.

[killbuckner]

I think this is a bad matchup for the Hawks. First of all the Hawks have no one who gives Duncan Problems. He is a nightmare for Howard to guard and Horford can't do much against him on the other side. (though the spurs will likely let him shoot 18 footers all day- if he can hit them thats certainly a bonus) Second is that I don't think Josh Smith can keep Dejuan Blair off of the offensive glass. When Josh Smith goes to help its going to open the door up for Blair too make a big difference. Third is that because of the hawks switching defense, against a smart team like the Spurs they can set EXACTLY The matchup they want. They can run a quick PnR with Parker against anyone else and when the Hawks switch then they get exactly what they want. They can reset and just take advantage all day long. This is why I hate the hawks switching defense early in the shotclock but love it late. Horford can hang with Parker with 4 seconds left on the clock- he can't with 12.

[td00]

kb is right on about this matchup.

So far, the Spurs have not been impressive as a top tier team. They appear to have to have a big game from Manu each night.
I don't expect a win, but I expect a very competitive game. Winning all 3 Texas games in a year is unheard of......i think the Celtics did it in their championship year most recently.

I don't think we match up well with these guys for whatever reason. They sure know how to beat us in Philips as well. We won't be able to stop them down the stretch.

[raleigh]

Outside of Duncan, we could dominate their frontline.

Is DeJuan Blair injured?

[killbuckner]

Honestly I'm even worried about Matt Bonner. When the other team has a big that can drag Smith outside thats really bad for the Hawks as well.

[killbuckner]

Its going to be really tough for me to watch the Hawks play Dejuan Blair. He would have been such a great addition to this team. I still can't believe we passed on him.

[Skyhawk1]

Since when Blair became this monster you all are talking about?

Season Team G GS MPG FG% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG
09-10 SAS 43 20 18.3 0.540 0.506 2.4 4.2 6.6 0.7 0.5 0.6 1.3 2.6 7.1

On a team that has a PG that can break down any D. one of the best PF ever, and a great energy guy like Manu off the bench + R. Jefferson, Blair is the LEAST of my worries.

[azuresou1]

Since when Blair became this monster you all are talking about?

Season Team G GS MPG FG% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG
09-10 SAS 43 20 18.3 0.540 0.506 2.4 4.2 6.6 0.7 0.5 0.6 1.3 2.6 7.1

On a team that has a PG that can break down any D. one of the best PF ever, and a great energy guy like Manu off the bench + R. Jefferson, Blair is the LEAST of my worries.

Check out his game log since Jan 13.

[killbuckner]

Dejuan Blair is already a top 5 offensive rebounder in the league. When Josh SMith is supposed to guard a guy that crashes the glass the Hawks can get in big trouble in a hurry.

[JoshB914]

I'd like to see Duncan's stats against us. Maybe I am not remembering correctly, but I remember Horford doing a fine job on him. It's Parker that kills us every time we face those boys.

[Hood President]

i wanna see how Smoove plays against the Spurs. He has Never play well Against them, the best game he had was when he had 12 points. other than that he usually sucks.

[HMFFL]

Its going to be really tough for me to watch the Hawks play Dejuan Blair. He would have been such a great addition to this team. I still can't believe we passed on him.

I agree. I also wanted us to get Blair and when he continued to dropped I was getting even more annoyed that Sund continued to pass on him.

For what it's worth Dominique Wilkins was also very high on Blair. I spoke to him a few weeks before the draft and mentioned Blair to him. Nique just felt Blair would be long gone before our first round pick. The Spurs ended up with a stud!

[SAUCERY_SWEET]

This is one of those difficult matchups for the Hawks, hopefully they can be on their game enough to offset some things and win.

[ATL DirtyBird]

Could send a statement to the league by winning these tough road games. I actually feel good about this game even though it will be tough. I wanna see Mario on Parker at some point in this game. PLEASE WOODY
These guys are scoring 3-4 seconds into the shot clock. WTF. This team is supposed to be old. UGHHHH

[nvc]

tony parker killing us again. no surprise there. hawk defense is lacking effort.

[Hood President]

Hawks getting that ass whooped. need to cut it to 10 or less at half.