Hawks aim for third seed in East

Post #1 » by **HMFFL** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 1:29 am

Before the season, not many observers predicted the Hawks would finish among the top teams in the Eastern Conference even if everything went right.

Lots went wrong and yet the Hawks (34-23) haven't just survived. They've thrived. With nine games left Atlanta is in position to host a first-round playoff series and are just off the pace for third place in the East behind Chicago and Miami.

This didn't seem likely when star center Al Horford was lost to surgery less than a month into the season. What followed was a long list of injuries to rotation players that just now is subsiding.

“Real happy about that, considering what we've gone through,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said. “I told the guys I think we have weathered a major storm. I really do. There are some games we should have won but we let them slip through the cracks. But still, looking at where we are, what happened to us from an injury standpoint, I think we are fortunate to be where we are.”

The Hawks are in position to own third place in the East by the time they take the practice court Tuesday after two days off. They trailed Indiana by a half-game before the Pacers played Toronto Monday night. Atlanta also has the easier closing schedule.

It's possible Horford could return for the playoffs, though he said he wouldn't be at full strength. Horford had pectoral surgery Jan. 17 and only recently returned to practice for non-contact drills. http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-hawks ... 11854.html

monsterblock · Post #2 » by **monsterblock** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 3:22 am

i was watching the Raptors and Pacers today. the Raptors got to within 2 points of the Pacers in the 4th quarter, but then all of a sudden they decided to start jacking up fade away jumpers for like eight straight possessions

rockmanslim · Post #3 » by **rockmanslim** » Sat Apr 14, 2012 10:35 am

They should aim for the 6th seed to draw the 3rd seeded Pacers.

Right now they're in 5th across from the Celtics. Don't like that matchup at all.

MaceCase · Post #4 » by **MaceCase** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:39 am

Can kiss any dreams of 3rd goodbye now.

D21 · Post #5 » by **D21** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 11:32 am

rockmanslim wrote:They should aim for the 6th seed to draw the 3rd seeded Pacers.
Right now they're in 5th across from the Celtics. Don't like that matchup at all.

But as long as you get a better record than BOS, we get the HCA.
IMO, it can be better to play BOS with HCA then CHI, than play IND without HCA then MIA

evildallas · Post #6 » by **evildallas** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:41 pm

rockmanslim wrote:They should aim for the 6th seed to draw the 3rd seeded Pacers.

Right now they're in 5th across from the Celtics. Don't like that matchup at all.

After the disappointing performance hosting the Raptors, I have to wonder if some on the team are thinking this way.

frizzledizzle · Post #7 » by **frizzledizzle** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 2:29 pm

Not sure why everyone thinks the Pacers are such an easy match up. Magic fans want to play the Pacers too. Celtics are 7-4 in their last 11. Pacers are 10-1.

Over the last 20 games, Granger's averaging 21.3pts 5.4rebs 1.3asts 48.3%fg 50.0%3p 94.1%ft

1st unit: Roy Hibbert, David West, Danny Granger, Paul George, George Hill
2nd unit: Lou Amundson, Tyler Hansbrough, Dahntay Jones, Leandro Barbosa, Darren Collison

Pacers are no joke. Everybody is suddenly fearing the Celtics because of their recent surge, oddly enough, the Pacers have a better record than they do in the last 20 as well as the last 10. Pacers have beaten the Heat, Thunder, Clippers, Rockets, Knicks, Sixers and Bucks(x2) in that span. The Celtics surge is being blown out of proportion. Pacers are just as dangerous if not more so. They have a legit center and better quality depth.

Regardless, it looks like it will be the Hawks and Celtics in the 1st round. I'd rather play the Celtics with home court advantage over the Pacers without hca. Pacers are 21-8 at home, the Celtics are 22-9. The Pacers are 19-14 on the road, the Celtics are 15-17.

rockmanslim · Post #8 » by **rockmanslim** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 2:48 pm

nothing about the pacers really strikes fear into my heart. even the depleted knicks were a bad 4th quarter away from sweeping the season series vs. the pacers. not saying the pacers can't win, not saying they are a joke, just that the celtics, when healthy, are proven killers.

evildallas · Post #9 » by **evildallas** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 6:09 pm

evildallas wrote:
rockmanslim wrote:They should aim for the 6th seed to draw the 3rd seeded Pacers.

Right now they're in 5th across from the Celtics. Don't like that matchup at all.

After the disappointing performance hosting the Raptors, I have to wonder if some on the team are thinking this way.

Now I think it was just an off night and the absence of Zaza affecting the team mentally. Even if they wanted Indiana the odds of Orlando passing the Hawks is slim. I think they need to focus on home court against Boston.

rockmanslim · Post #10 » by **rockmanslim** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 12:05 am

so it looks like the celtics don't even care about HCA and have conceded this game vs ATL--no rondo, no pierce, no KG, no shuttlesworth...

like i said, don't like this matchup at all, smh

monsterblock · Post #11 » by **monsterblock** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 1:07 am

Hawks can still tank for the 6th spot. Hawks are only 1.5 games up on the Magic, and the Magic can still win two more games this season against the Bobcats and Memphis.

monsterblock · Post #12 » by **monsterblock** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 2:01 am

Pacers just lost to the Sixers. Hawks still have a very slim chance of getting #3. Hawks have to win their last three games and the Pacers have to lose their last two games against Chicago and Detroit (Pacers are 1-1 against the Pistons this season). If Atlanta matches Indiana's wins, the Hawks holds the tie breakers against Indiana this season (Hawks are 2-1 against the Pacers this season).

rockmanslim · Post #13 » by **rockmanslim** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 1:47 am

rockmanslim wrote:nothing about the pacers really strikes fear into my heart. even the depleted knicks were a bad 4th quarter away from sweeping the season series vs. the pacers. not saying the pacers can't win, not saying they are a joke, just that the celtics, when healthy, are proven killers.

Pacers just lost to the D-League Magic.

Hawks should've tanked to get the Pacers, would've made their lives so much easier.

now watch the pacers win 4 in a row and the hawks sweep the celtics now that i've opened my big mouth

MaceCase · Post #14 » by **MaceCase** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 2:38 am

Too much work trying to tank especially considering the tendency of the team to fall into bad habits. Plus a home Boston series is a godsend for the owners.

monsterblock · Post #15 » by **monsterblock** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 10:22 am

frizzledizzle wrote:Not sure why everyone thinks the Pacers are such an easy match up. Magic fans want to play the Pacers too. Celtics are 7-4 in their last 11. Pacers are 10-1.

Over the last 20 games, Granger's averaging 21.3pts 5.4rebs 1.3asts 48.3%fg 50.0%3p 94.1%ft

1st unit: Roy Hibbert, David West, Danny Granger, Paul George, George Hill
2nd unit: Lou Amundson, Tyler Hansbrough, Dahntay Jones, Leandro Barbosa, Darren Collison

Pacers are no joke. Everybody is suddenly fearing the Celtics because of their recent surge, oddly enough, the Pacers have a better record than they do in the last 20 as well as the last 10. Pacers have beaten the Heat, Thunder, Clippers, Rockets, Knicks, Sixers and Bucks(x2) in that span. The Celtics surge is being blown out of proportion. Pacers are just as dangerous if not more so. They have a legit center and better quality depth.

Regardless, it looks like it will be the Hawks and Celtics in the 1st round. I'd rather play the Celtics with home court advantage over the Pacers without hca. Pacers are 21-8 at home, the Celtics are 22-9. The Pacers are 19-14 on the road, the Celtics are 15-17.

Wow, you are just looking really bad right now :lol: