Game 4: Cleveland @ Atlanta

[HMFFL]

IT'S NOT OVER YET

“What else are those guys going to do?” Woodson said. “They’ve done anything and everything we’ve asked of them to prepare themselves to play. To their credit, they’ve all played through some pretty tough circumstances.”

Injured Hawks stars expected to play

Cleveland favored to win by 9.5 points.

[LL Cool Scott]

I was about ready to give up on this team and advocate blowing up the whole roster after Game 2. Watching Joe and his band of p*ssies just lay down like that convinced me that he and the rest of them simply lacked the heart and mental toughness to ever be serious winners. But they showed me a little something in Game 3. Joe played the way we've always wanted him to play, by showing some fire and toughness and attacking the hole and the rest of the team (as they always do) fed off him. This team feeds off him for better or worse. When he pouts and sulks and quits, it infects the rest of the team. When he plays with fire in his belly and acts like a man, it infects the rest of the team.

I fully expect us to lose this game - but if we at least TRY like we did in game 3, I'll be satisfied and ready to give this nucleus one more year to show that they can grow up and be men.

[dunleavyjr]

Expecting a Cleveland sweep.

[Harry10]

Hawks have the talent to win, they just need the right game plan that exploits the Cavs weaknesses, such as the Mo/West back court, and Z's speed. Lebron is a great player and will get more than alot of calls, but Joe has alot of talent, but will just have to work harder than Lebron to get the same production. Hawks can win, just need to play smarter.

[hadzilla]

You enjoy that warning you just received ballboy. HMFFL

[Gordon Bombay]

i wish you guys could have been healthier because this series would have been a lot more competitive...good luck tonight

[HMFFL]

The referees for tonight's game will be S. Foster, J. Capers and R. Garretson.

[raleigh]

You enjoy that warning you just received ballboy. HMFFL

Permission to snicker...

[Wigginstime]

I really want to see a hard foul on James tonight. Nothing dirty or meant to injure him, but just a clean hard foul. Even if Atlanta looses they should go out play hard, play physical and walk off the court with at least a small sense of pride. I feel like they are showing entirely too much respect to James. Put him on the floor and let him know its not going to be easy. Makes me wish Sloan could coach game 4.

[evildallas]

I'm just looking for us to put up a fight. It's all about effort and making us proud win or lose. If we manage to force a game 5 I'll be ecstatic.

Leaving now.

[JoshB914]

About to head to the game. Hopefully it is not the last game of the season. If we can score a nice win and play hard tonight I'll be satisfied. We've run into a complete buzzsaw this series and our poor health has only worsened matters.

If we are moping around early on I expect Woody to give us a heavy dose of Mario.

[Zebulon]

Lebron is a great player and will get more than alot of calls...

I agree that LeBron gets his fair share of calls. What fans of opponents don't seem to consider, is that when LeBron drives to the hoop, he is fouled hard virtually every time, but he is so strong, that most of the time, the fouls (or attempted holds) don't even slow him down. IF every one of those fouls/holds, was called, many opponents would see a majority of their players either fouled out or in foul trouble by half time. Perhaps the officials either consciously or unconsciously don't call every foul that Lebron may commit, in an effort to compensate for not calling anything but the most grievous fouls committed against him.

[evildallas]

Disappointing crowd.

[evildallas]

11-2 run by Cleveland with Lebron on the bench. We've got to come up with a better way to create shots because no one can hit a jumper.

[HoopsGuru25]

Up 22 to 15 and Lebron goes to the bench and Illgauskus goes to the lockerroom. Not only did we not make any kind of run...we go the first 4 and a half minutes w/o a basket (again,we are a crappy offensive team regardless of what the numbers day) and actually LOSE the lead.

Also-Is Mo supposed to be a good defender? He has been getting abused the entire playoffs. I don't understand why Mario isn't getting some of his minutes.

[ATL DirtyBird]

Basically Mike Fratello is blind. I dont like him.
Why is Flip trying so hard? He does this to often!

[ATL DirtyBird]

^^Mo is suppposed to be one of our better defenders. I thought I was the only one that noticed hes not that good. Get Marios crackaddicted ass in the game.

[ATL DirtyBird]

Am I seeing things? DId Josh actually pumpfake and pass up a jumper?? Though Al airballed, I really hope we can see more off Josh passing that shot up!

[LL Cool Scott]

Basically Mike Fratello is blind. I dont like him.
Why is Flip trying so hard? He does this to often!

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!!! Easy there young feller - you're talking about the greatest coach the Hawks have ever had. NOBODY dares criticize the czar on an Atlanta board!

[evildallas]

Blown call, but Josh has to learn how to complain without getting a technical.