Game Thread: Hawks @ Hornets -- 11/28

[Jamaaliver]

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On the heels of an exciting win over the Bucks on Monday night, the Hornets will be looking for back-to-back victories and some retaliation against the Atlanta Hawks, who they square off with tonight beginning at 7 p.m. ET.

These two squads are meeting for the third time already this season and second time in four days. After taking the first game at home on Nov. 6, the Hornets fell, 124-123, in Atlanta this past Sunday night. Defensive lapses played a huge role in this one as Charlotte allowed the NBA’s lowest-rated offense to shoot 53.2 percent from the field and dominate points in the paint, 58-28.

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[hawkmanreturns]

I think the Hawks win this one to make it 3 in a row. They've shown some serious determination and grit the last 2 games and I think they will be extra motivated to beat a division rival. I'm all in on the tank, but if they win a few games with the young guys on the court during crunch time, I can live with that. It's really cool to watch the young guys and rooks executing during crunch time and learning how to play winning basketball.

[Jamaaliver]

I'm expecting a flat performance on the second night of a back-to-back with travel between cities occurring late last night.

Hawks will need to lean heavy on the vets tonight...particularly big men like Dedmon, Len (and Collins?).

[jayu70]

I'm expecting a flat performance on the second night of a back-to-back with travel between cities occurring late last night.

Hawks will need to lean heavy on the vets tonight...particularly big men like Dedmon, Len (and Collins?).

Carter hasn't played the last 2 games, so I guess he's due?
Justin Anderson may also play more.

[jayu70]

I think the Hawks win this one to make it 3 in a row. They've shown some serious determination and grit the last 2 games and I think they will be extra motivated to beat a division rival. I'm all in on the tank, but if they win a few games with the young guys on the court during crunch time, I can live with that. It's really cool to watch the young guys and rooks executing during crunch time and learning how to play winning basketball.

Would not surprise me.
The defense has been much more active. Players were actually communicating and helping each other on defense last night.

Prince actually played well on defense - he actually fought through and around screens since in forever and a day. And when he got hung up on a screen, he actually gave effort to catch up. He had active hands and feet that I have not seen in a long time.

[Jamaaliver]

The defense has been much more active. Players were actually communicating and helping each other on defense last night.

Prince actually played well on defense - he actually fought through and around screens since in forever and a day. And when he got hung up on a screen, he actually gave effort to catch up. He had active hands and feet that I have not seen in a long time.

Prince has the tools to be one of the preeminent 3&D players in this league. I wonder if he's being told to refocus on those two tasks specifically...leaving the play-making to guys like Lin and Trae.

[jayu70]

The defense has been much more active. Players were actually communicating and helping each other on defense last night.

Prince actually played well on defense - he actually fought through and around screens since in forever and a day. And when he got hung up on a screen, he actually gave effort to catch up. He had active hands and feet that I have not seen in a long time.

Prince has the tools to be one of the preeminent 3&D players in this league. I wonder if he's being told to refocus on those two tasks specifically...leaving the play-making to guys like Lin and Trae.

that would be for the best.

[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

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[lethalweapon3]

They’re celebrating 30 Years of (briefly interrupted) Basketball up in the Queen City. But despite all the buzzing and purring about, the Hornets-Bobcats-Hornets have never produced a division title (the Southwest-leading Grizzlies are the only other team in this same boat).

Charlotte has as big a chance as ever before to get a banner up in the Spectrum Center rafters. But they must avoid getting repeatedly tripped up by teams like the Atlanta Hawks (7:00 pm Eastern, Fox Sports Southeast, 92.9 FM in ATL), who arrive off a road back-to-back to play tonight.

The Southeast Division is now the Hornets’ to lose, so long as the wascally Washington Wizards remain more likely to be on Page Six than a sixth-seed. Through the month of December, the schedule for coach James Borrego’s club looks promising.

Only five of their next 17 contests are away from Uptown, and only one of those is out “West,” if one accounts for Minneapolis being just beyond the Mississippi. There are just a pair of back-to-backs, a couple Hornet homestands, like this current four-game stretch, and a host of foes that are either just bad, or struggling to find their way, in this parity-packed league.

By the end of the first week of January, the NBA season will be half-complete. Up until then, the Hornets have a great opportunity to gain traction and pull away from the Wiz, Magic, and heat in the division chase. They just cannot afford any bad losses. Defeats like the 113-89 loss to J.R. Smith (!) and the Love-less Cavaliers in Cleveland a couple weeks ago. Or Sunday’s setback in Atlanta, when the Hornets had their 48-36 first-half lead whittled away by these pesky Hawks.

Much like the heat without ballhandler Goran Dragic, the Hornets could have used Tony Parker to help stay in front of Atlanta through 48 minutes. Tony Touch is back, and the return of both Parker (15 points, 6 assists, 1 TO) and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (7 rebounds, 2 blocks) to Charlotte’s bench helped Borrego outlast his former fellow ex-Spurs acolyte, Mike Budenholzer, and the freaky Bucks. The 110-107 home win over Milwaukee was the most satisfying of the Hornets’ season, and it came one night after fading in The ATL versus the then-last-place Hawks.

There has been a little teeth-gnashing over the field goal foists of Hawks ace play-setter Trae Young (43.4 eFG%, 48.9 TS%). All eyes are on him -- teammates on the court, defenders on the court, defenders and detractors in the stands – to live up to his billing as the top true guard to be plucked during the 2018 NBA Draft.

Seven years before, Kemba Walker was the next guard off the Draft board after Kyrie Irving and (gulp) Brandon Knight. And Walker (41.1 eFG%, 46.4 TS% in his rookie season, 25 starts in 66 games) faced a fair share of critique, for several years, over his decision-making as a shooter, albeit for different reasons (more about shot location and diversity, less about situational timing) than Young. It took proper coaching, and a less clueless set of teammates, but Kemba came around, as he is today bandied about as a surefire MVP candidate.

Similarly to Kyrie, Walker entered the NBA out of college as the heralded Big-Shot Point Guard, and wasn’t relied upon for his distributive talents, as a rookie, nearly as much as his equally tricky-dribbling counterpart this evening. Kemba’s rookie campaign (24.8 usage%) had him cranking out 30.7 assists and 9.4 TOs per 100 possessions.

Trae’s usage (27.0) and turnover (13.9) percentages are much higher, but his play is yielding a 41.3 assist percentage. Currently, that’s higher than Messrs. Harden (40.9), Westbrook (40.8), Paul (37.8), Lowry (37.7), Simmons (36.8), and Wall (36.4) in their current days, to say nothing of how they all performed as NBA newbies.

The assist volume is necessitated by the league’s elevated offensive pace, compared to 2011-12. But Young’s dime-dropping gifts are more impressive given his beneficiaries are players who are either just now getting into a groove (John Collins, Jeremy Lin, Alex Len and Dewayne Dedmon, for example), working their way out of early funks (Taurean Prince, DeAndre’ Bembry and Kent Bazemore), or just as new to the pro game as Young is currently (Kevin Huerter and Omari Spellman). It’s the 2018-19 equivalent of 21-year-old Kemba helping B.J. Mullens look like a competent competitor.

The paths to the hoop, open looks and passing lanes, will be more complicated for Young (17 points, 10 assists, 3 TOs @ MIA) to find tonight, now that Borrego has MKG and Parker to throw into the maze. Parker was held back on Sunday, but he had a big role in taking the offensive pressure off Walker after the latter had a subpar day from the field (3-for-12 FGs, incl. 1-for-6 on 2FGs).

Trae (83.1 FT%) will eventually learn how to draw contact and trips to the free throw line without coughing up the ball, as Kemba (13-for-16 FTs on the way to 21 points on Monday) has mastered. Containing Walker to four freebies on Sunday may have helped Atlanta gain the 124-123 edge, and similar restraint from Lloyd Pierce’s troops will be needed tonight.

On Sunday, Walker (22 points on 3-for-14 2FGs, 9 assists, 1 TO @ ATL) came away with four teammates in double figures (three Hornets, including Malik Monk, scoring in the 20s). Young countered that with five fellow Hawks getting double-digit tallies, including Collins’ career-high of 23 points (11-for-16 FGs). That proved to be just enough, as Kemba’s last-ditch attempt got Tyson Chandler’d by Collins in the closing second of play.

The duel that had everyone’s rapt attention last night happened in the fourth quarter, as Point Baze (no assists, 5 TOs @ MIA) squared off with Point Winslow (3 assists, 6 TOs vs. ATL). The Hawks managed just a single assisted basket in the final quarter (Dedmon to Collins for an early-quarter dunk), the stagnation allowing Miami to make its last grand stand of the evening.

Finding that elusive secondary playmaker that can play and defend alongside Young will help Atlanta tremendously. Huerter and Prince shot well in Miami (combined 5-for-10 3FGs) but must be more active passers in the halfcourt and in transition. When Young sits, more assertiveness will be needed from Jeremy Lin (7 points, 4-for-5 FTs, 2 assists in 18.6 minutes @ MIA) to offset reserves Parker and Monk.

Lin’s scoring (19 points, 7-for-9 FGs) in relief of Young (0-for-7 3FGs, 6 TOs) was about all the Hawks’ reserves had going in their last visit to Spectrum Center, back on November 6, as they let hard-fought first-half and brief second-half leads slip away amid a sea of turnovers.

If Collins (15.2 PPG, 71.4 2FG%) can stay out of foul trouble, his presence in this lineup could help Atlanta make this outcome closer than it was during the 113-102 loss here a few weeks ago. Also helping could be The Grime Dog, Bembry (4 steals @ MIA; season-high 16 points vs. CHA on Sunday), if the Charlotte native continues to improve his accuracy when attacking the rim off drives and cuts.

Pierce can also turn to a deservingly well-rested Vince Carter, who has been DNP’d the last two games and sat for much of his last appearance versus Boston last week. The Hawks’ head coach spoke glowingly of Justin Anderson’s abbreviated first-half stint last night, so Pierce may find the forward more room to roam today.

The NBA schedule is deliberately less compressed than in past seasons. But if you wish to turn the corner quickly into becoming a decent, respectable club, it’s imperative to start sweeping back-to-backs. That’s a challenge facing Atlanta, who went 0-for-4 in games during two back-to-back series so far this season.

Even amid an otherwise mediocre campaign, the 43-39 Hawks of 2016-17 swept such pairings eight times. There were no such sweeps in 15 tries last season, as the Hawks swooped to a 24-58 finish. Building consistency and momentum, from one night to the next, can be a hallmark of improvement for this club, which won’t have to deal with a back-to-back for another month.

As for Charlotte, still proving their own decency, they just need to show they can’t lose to these Hawks twice in the space of a half-week, especially not at their home hive. The roster is completely healthy, and if they take advantage of the breaks they’re given, the Hornets should soon have the Southeast Division title all to themselves. Then, after that, who knows? Maybe they’ll go crazy and secure themselves a playoff spot, too.

Let’s Go Hawks!
~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

Imagine Kemba pulling just $10 million right now.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25391986/kemba-walker-never-saw-nba-superstar-turn-coming

He was up for an extension that fall (of 2014). (Agent Jeff) Schwartz wanted $12 million per season. Charlotte's offer topped out at $10 million. As the Oct. 31 deadline approached, Walker pushed Schwartz to accept Charlotte's offer. If Schwartz wouldn't, Walker threatened to call the team and do it himself, according to both. (Charlotte ponied up $12 million in the end.)

[bws94]

Huerter and LIn are questionable. I didn't see what happened to Huerter. Saw Lin limping at the end of the game. Looked like an ankle injury to Lin. If Lin's out, Bembry is the backup PG and if Huerter is out, likely Baze goes back to the starter's squad. I think Vince plays tonight.

[ducler]

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[lethalweapon3]

Hawks-Hornets minutiae: not sure how long Alpha Kaba (returning soon from a summertime elbow injury) will be with Parker & Batum's ASVEL, but he could be Euroleaguing it next season if so.

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[Spud2nique]

Great game thread as usual lw3...you went deep with the analysis once again and you also get +7 points for the B.J. Mullens reference...oh my!

We played great the last two games and seem to have turned the chemistry corner a bit more and the rust seems to be coming off. Having Huerter out there with Trae is crazy as far as court spacing and both being able to pinpoint pass find people out there in a spread open run n gun fashion, shades of 2003 Suns with Nash, Amare and Marion insert Trae, Collins and Prin...Bembry!

Look I admit when I’m wrong and I’ll say it again, I didn’t like Bembry as a prospect, didn’t want us to draft him (I had like 3 guys and he was one lol) and I never looked at him as much of anything for a piece moving forward, whether that happens remains to be seen but the kid can ball. He’s a throwback to specialists from the 80’s like Alvin Robertson or even Rodman lite from the bad boys. Guys like that don’t play the way he does these days because it means having to squat down and give a little heart and energy or get some floor bruises but Bembry is that guy and he doesn’t seem to mind. 5 tool guy to me. Keep it up. It’s his hometown, what better venue!

Having said that I believe the Hornets are favored by 12 or so. That’s almost a disrespectful but accurate line as young teams tend to struggle in 3 games in 4 night scenarios.



Hawks 121
Hornets 120

Collins 30 points (career high I think lol) 12 rebounds

Trae 17 points 14 assists (not taking this for granted ..never used to predict anyone to have this many dimes including back to Mookie..Trae is special) 2 steals

Lin 16 points 5 assists

Prince 15 points 5 rebounds good defense!

Bembry 12 points 10 rebounds 7 assists 5 steals



Hawks win at the buzzer on a Spellman 3! (You go for the win on the road, why not, get that ice through your veins young pup so when you do this again in the finals in 2023 you will have done it a million times)


Ps Is that...I think I just saw Baze..oh wait no that was just a random guy flagging down a cab, I thought it was Baze still holding the release on the 3 that beat the quarter buzzer.


LETS GO HAWKS!!!!!

[DirtybirdGA]

Bazemore did hold up that hand like Sanaa lathan in Love and basketball...lol

[DirtybirdGA]

Where would this lead be without Prince's free points for the hornets.... DeAndre did another bad foul...

[jayu70]

Look I admit when I’m wrong and I’ll say it again, I didn’t like Bembry as a prospect, didn’t want us to draft him (I had like 3 guys and he was one lol) and I never looked at him as much of anything for a piece moving forward, whether that happens remains to be seen but the kid can ball. He’s a throwback to specialists from the 80’s like Alvin Robertson or even Rodman lite from the bad boys. Guys like that don’t play the way he does these days because it means having to squat down and give a little heart and energy or get some floor bruises but Bembry is that guy and he doesn’t seem to mind. 5 tool guy to me. Keep it up. It’s his hometown, what better venue!

LETS GO HAWKS!!!!!

His hair reminded you of Chillz, that's why you didn't want him. Lol.

[Spud2nique]

Look I admit when I’m wrong and I’ll say it again, I didn’t like Bembry as a prospect, didn’t want us to draft him (I had like 3 guys and he was one lol) and I never looked at him as much of anything for a piece moving forward, whether that happens remains to be seen but the kid can ball. He’s a throwback to specialists from the 80’s like Alvin Robertson or even Rodman lite from the bad boys. Guys like that don’t play the way he does these days because it means having to squat down and give a little heart and energy or get some floor bruises but Bembry is that guy and he doesn’t seem to mind. 5 tool guy to me. Keep it up. It’s his hometown, what better venue!

LETS GO HAWKS!!!!!

His hair reminded you of Chillz, that's why you didn't want him. Lol.

Ya ok fine. Ya got me.

[jayu70]

Lots of 0-fers tonight:
Vince - 0/3
Slellman - 0/4
Baze - 0/10