Game Thread: Warriors at Hawks, 12/03/18

[jayu70]

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[jayu70]

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[Jamaaliver]

The matchup we've all been waiting for?

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After losing two straight to start their longest road trip of the year, the Warriors will try to get their season back on track in Atlanta. With newfound center issues, can the champs beat the young Hawks?


Hawks stock report

These days the Hawks are prioritizing development over winning. Through 23 games, Atlanta holds the league’s fourth-worst record, including the fourth-worst record against Western Conference teams (2-11).

Still, the Hawks have shown positive signs. With Young running the show, Atlanta is the fastest team in terms of pace, and cause the most turnovers in the league.


Curry vs. Young part 1

Since Curry missed the first matchup this season, Monday will mark the first matchup against Atlanta’s prized rookie guard.

Throughout his college career, Young has been compared to Curry – and hasn’t necessarily shied away from them.

“I love the comparisons,” said Young, who attended two Warriors’ games during last year’s postseason. “He’s a two-time MVP and a champion. I love the comparison but I feel like I bring a lot of different things from different players, different players’ games to the table. I’m just trying to be the best version of Trae Young. That’s all that matters to me. I’m just getting started in this thing. Hopefully, I can achieve some of those things.”

Curry has been equally complimentary when asked about the former Oklahoma Sooner.

“He’s unbelievable,” Curry said following a 125-122 win over the Dallas Mavericks. “Just the confidence that he plays with. I call it flair, but it seems like he’s always composed and knows what he’s trying to do with the ball in his hand. He shoots a lot of deep threes and has a creativity to his game that’s cool to watch.”

Mercury News

[hawkmanreturns]

I get the feeling this one will be tough to watch if you're into winning. This is what I call a "growth and development" game. I'm just looking for the kids to hold their own and not look completely overwhelmed. Huerter looked legit last game and I hope that continues tonight. Pierce needs to run some plays to get him open. His shot looks pure and I think he needs to get more touches.

[Jamaaliver]

^If Pistons can beat this wounded GSW team, we can at least put up a fight. I expect a competitive first half, with a devastating 3rd quarter being the difference.

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[Spud2nique]

Kerr is a lil bitch and so are the Warriors.

[Jamaaliver]

[graymule]

Hawks appear to be almost healthy. Maybe they will not be as "peaful" as yesterday's Atlanta Falcons.
It would even be nice to have an Atlanta win.

[macd-gm]

Competitive is all I'm asking this season. No more going down by 20+ points in a quarter.

[PG13]

Steph v. Trae

Someone bust out the Spider-Man meme

[Jamaaliver]

Real spiderman vs bootleg spiderman?

[Jamaaliver]

Or unproven, little kid spiderman meets real life, future HOF spiderman?

[lethalweapon3]

Hawks at The Farm, or Lambs led to slaughter? We all know how tonight’s script is supposed to go, with Atlanta hosting the half-team, half-amazing reigning champion Golden State Warriors (7:30 PM Eastern, Fox Sports Southeast and 92.9 FM in ATL, NBC Sports Bay Area in SFO). But will things really be that baaaaad?

Atlanta (5-18) will very likely get through this whole season without having to face Draymond Green. Suspended after getting miffed in a tiff with Kevin Durant, Green (out with a sprained toe) and Stephen Curry were scratches when the Hawks swung by Oracle Arena for the final time on November 13.

The Hawks held serve for three out of four quarters versus the shorthanded Dubs, returning home one night after falling to the surprising Clippers. The exception was another disastrous third quarter (in this case, an 11-0 run keyed by Klay Thompson and replacement starter Quinn Cook) that typically puts deficits beyond reach.

Despite off-shooting nights from the field, Kevin Durant (29 points, 9-for-23 FGs, 11-for-11 FTs) and Klay (24 points, 8-for-19 FGs, 5-for-5 FTs) were able to withstand a final run by Atlanta in the final frame to coast to victory, what would be just Golden State’s fourth in the past 11 games. Green’s replacement starter, Jonas Jerebko (4-for-7 3FGs, 13 rebounds) helped to keep the Hawks at stiff-arm’s length.

After missing 11 games, Curry has returned and continues to find his sea legs, shooting a respectable 10-for-21 from the field but committing seven turnovers (three assists) in the Warriors’ 111-102 loss in Detroit on Saturday night. While the backcourt has adequate reinforcements with Curry back in the fold, it’s in the paint where coach Steve Kerr’s crew may find themselves at a disadvantage tonight.

Durant has been as solid on the ball as always defensively. But he will find himself occupied with slowing down the Hawks’ John Collins tonight. The Baptist’s inability to find his long-range shooting stroke (0-for-8 3FGs) is perhaps the only shortcoming to his game thus far. Shooting a sterling 72 percent on baskets inside the arc in his last five games, Collins needs to find more ways to mix it up inside and draw trips to the free throw line (1-for-1 FTs in Friday night’s 124-109 loss at OKC). In addition to Collins' defensive presence so far (41.2 opponents' defended FG%; Durant comparatively at 43.1%), Atlanta benefits when Collins recognizes double-teams and finds open shooters along the perimeter.

Dewayne Dedmon (4 steals vs. OKC) has been playing like a man who can’t get the sound of a screeching newborn out of his head at night. Until Daddy Ded regains his offensive form, Coach Lloyd Pierce will cede more of his minutes to Alex Len (19 bench points, 3-for-6 3FGs, four O-Rebs vs. OKC). Len certainly looks like he wants to earn his starting gig back, but he must be a stronger presence around the defensive glass.

Durant will need continued help from Jerebko and Kevon Looney around the rim, particularly now that center Damian Jones (pectoral tear) pulled a Horford and is likely to miss the remainder of the regular season. Jones’ absence speeds up the recovery efforts for Boogie Cousins (Achilles) just a bit. But in addition to Green and Jones’s absence, the Warriors have also missed the surprising Alfonzo McKinnie (sore foot) for the past couple weeks.

The Warriors hope that the tried-and-true 3>2 rule holds again tonight, and that they’ll be just the latest team to rely on the Hawks (37.4 opponent 3FG% above-the-break, 2nd-highest in NBA; NBA-high 2.0 left-corner opponent 3FGs per game) to temporarily fix whatever ails them when it comes to perimeter shooting. Golden State foes shoot 66.6 percent in the restricted area (4th-highest in NBA) and get outscored by 7.8 points per-48 in the paint.

Usually, that comes with the condition of, “if opponents can get inside”. But the shorthanded frontcourt means Durant and Andre Iguodala have less room to roam and force turnovers for the Warriors. Their 12.7 opponent TO% is uncharacteristically tied for 6th-worst, while their 15.6 points per-48 off TOs (14.8 when they’re Road Warriors) also ranks 24th in the league. To keep Dre and KD from getting spread too thin, contributions from backup big Jordan Bell, two-way call-up Marcus Derrickson and rookie swingman Jacob Evans may be needed tonight.

With the Splash Brothers splashing, the Warriors can certainly afford to get into a long-range shooting contest with the wayward Hawks (31.8 3FG%, 29th in NBA). But if G-State’s guards have an off-night and the bigs fail to gain advantages with rebounding and forced turnovers, to ensure victory, they’ll need one of their All-Star Heroes to play Heroball late in this contest yet again.

The Hawks are accustomed to letting a sheepish attitude get the best of them when their shots don’t fall and opponents make their predictable runs. But might this be one of those nights Atlanta pulls the wool over everybody’s eyes?

Let’s Go Hawks!
~lw3

[ducler]

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[lethalweapon3]

Important side note for those headed to the game or a local tavern... Don't Drink The Kool Aid! Or, just about anything that wasn't made with bottled water or, like, beer.

Including State Farm Arena, we're under a Boil Water Advisory intown (most of the Atlanta city Watershed area), have been since around 11 AM this morning (sure wish I had known! Guess I was too busy doing pregame threads! lol), and apparently will be until at least later tomorrow.

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~lw3

[Spud2nique]

Call me crazy
Hawks 121
Warriors 117

[mcleitsy]

Call me crazy
Hawks 121
Warriors 117

Yeah dude you crazy. I guess the squawk is down for good?

[DirtybirdGA]

20 turns tonight.

[DirtybirdGA]

Oh well, mnf is about to start.

[jayu70]

20 turns tonight.

9 after 1 quarter. We may beat 20 easily.