Atlanta Hawks at Brooklyn Nets 7:30 Game Thread

[niko]

http://www.nba.com/nets/sites/nets/files/imagecache/slider_image/content/images-topstory/2014/01/netsvshawks_670x377.jpg
He's not playing though...

The Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks both lost key pieces to season-ending injuries last month. While Deron Williams is starting to pick up the slack for the Nets, the Hawks are still looking for others to step up.

Brooklyn goes for a season best-tying third consecutive win Monday night against visiting Atlanta, which tries to avoid a season worst-tying third straight defeat.

After posting a season-high 29 points in Thursday's thrilling 95-93 win at Oklahoma City, Williams scored 21 and shot 7 of 10 as the Nets (12-21) got by Cleveland 89-82 on Saturday. The three-time All-Star is averaging 13.6 points, 4.0 less than his career mark, but Brooklyn is 3-1 when he scores at least 20.

"Deron -- two games in a row now that he's been big for us, leading the way," said coach Jason Kidd, whose team won three in a row Dec. 7-12. "He's getting great looks and also finding his teammates, that's been a big plus for us."

The Nets were outrebounded 45-33 but held the Cavaliers to 36.7 percent shooting. They have gone 3-4 since All-Star center Brook Lopez went down with a broken foot Dec. 20.

"We're not buckling, we're not getting down," said Andray Blatche, who had 12 points in his first game since missing four due to personal reasons. "We're fighting and we're competing."

The Hawks (18-16), meanwhile, have compiled a 2/3 record since Al Horford suffered a torn pectoral Dec. 26. Atlanta has averaged just 99.2 points and shot 40.8 percent over that stretch, significantly lower than its season marks of 102.6 and 46.1.

The Hawks had an especially rough go in Saturday's 91-84 loss at Chicago. Paul Millsap had 16 points and 12 rebounds but shot 5 of 18 as Atlanta matched its lowest scoring total of the season.

The Hawks, who were limited to 37.2 percent shooting, dropped three straight Nov. 23-27.

"It was a close game and we just couldn't find a way," said coach Mike Budenholzer, whose team surrendered a season-high 20 offensive boards. "I think we have to be a little smarter down the stretch. We have to compete every possession, every rebound."

While Millsap has scored a combined 67 points in the Hawks' last two wins, he's averaged 15.0 and shot 26.1 percent over their last three defeats.

Atlanta has taken seven of nine from the Nets, most recently winning 105-93 at Brooklyn on March 17. It was Horford, though, who led the way in that game with 22 points and 11 rebounds.

Former Hawks guard Joe Johnson, averaging 14.9 points, has managed 7.0 while shooting 30.0 percent during Brooklyn's 3-2 stretch. However, Andrei Kirilenko has provided a boost in three games since returning from a back injury last week.

"He's a pro. Sometimes the stat sheet doesn't show it but he does all the little things, coming up with loose balls, finding open teammates and being able to cut and finish plays," Kidd said. "The last two games he's been able to do that and it's been big for us."

The Nets are 12-5 when holding opponents to 100 points or fewer compared to 0-16 when they don't. Atlanta has dropped seven of nine on the road while getting outscored 107.9-101.7.

[It's A VC3!!!]

Wow. 12-5 when holding opponents under 100 points. Makes you think where the Nets would be if they consistently showed an inkling of respect and discipline on defense. 0-16 when allowing over 100 points? Geez, that's anemic. This is going to go down as a loss for the Nets. No Deron, no Brook and we desperately needed him just for our last two wins so it's not going to go good without him tonight.

[niko]

Wow. 12-5 when holding opponents under 100 points. Makes you think where the Nets would be if they consistently showed an inkling of respect and discipline on defense. 0-16 when allowing over 100 points? Geez, that's anemic. This is going to go down as a loss for the Nets. No Deron, no Brook and we desperately needed him just for our last two wins so it's not going to go good without him tonight.
You knew he was going to start missing games again, all the "he's playing hurt" shit started leaking from all the Nets guys after the OKC game. If he starts missing games the Nets are going to go into a funk (it's hard to keep asking players to start over with energy again and again and again). That's why Texas (for the Knicks) and the last two games for the Nets were so important. It's not the hole is too big, it's the motivation for climbing out leaves you.

We'll see how much Deron misses. The Nets could/should still be able to win tonight. Hawks are what they are, the Knicks have beat them twice this year playing shitty against them.

[It's A VC3!!!]

I know we're without Deron but this offense is too anemic. Missed shot after missed shot yet the nets keep chucking away. Not the recipe for success...

[Dr. Ice]

is the nets crowd always this lifeless? i mean wow the hawks suck with attendance but atleast we're loud if our crowd was that full

[poido123]

Having Kirilenko out there makes this team much better.

He has been in everything tonight. Such a smart player.

[Miss Bella]

Having Kirilenko out there makes this team much better.

He has been in everything tonight. Such a smart player.

Yes he is so versatile.

Niko for a hater you sure like to post about the Nets, good or bad and for that I applaud you.

[It's A VC3!!!]

Hot Rihanna at the game.

[niko]

Yes he is so versatile.

Niko for a hater you sure like to post about the Nets, good or bad and for that I applaud you.

Net fans on this board don't post news, game threads, anything unless it's ridiculously good. (NETS ACQUIRE LEBRON JAMES FOR NOTHING!) They're interesting. I like to put it to discuss.

One thing, Net announcers need to stop acting like there is a debate in Atlanta about JJ. He could 95 gamewinners and the trade is a total win for Atlanta, they got rid of his contract and got what looks like a decent pick.

[Dr. Ice]

Net fans on this board don't post news, game threads, anything unless it's ridiculously good. (NETS ACQUIRE LEBRON JAMES FOR NOTHING!) They're interesting. I like to put it to discuss.

One thing, Net announcers need to stop acting like there is a debate in Atlanta about JJ. He could 95 gamewinners and the trade is a total win for Atlanta, they got rid of his contract and got what looks like a decent pick.

Lol wait those announcers are seriously saying that? :roll: :facepalm

[Miss Bella]

Net fans on this board don't post news, game threads, anything unless it's ridiculously good. (NETS ACQUIRE LEBRON JAMES FOR NOTHING!) They're interesting. I like to put it to discuss.

One thing, Net announcers need to stop acting like there is a debate in Atlanta about JJ. He could 95 gamewinners and the trade is a total win for Atlanta, they got rid of his contract and got what looks like a decent pick.

Yeah although we have been living in shame since the start of the season.

[niko]

Lol wait those announcers are seriously saying that? :roll: :facepalm
The post graphics and discuss the return and how good JJ was, etc. Atlanta needed JJ gone. The fact the nets are happy with him is great at his salary. But it's a total win for Atlanta easily.

[hawksdogsbraves]

mmm we're just a different team without Horford

[niko]

The announcers also made fun of players who "fall down and don't get up quickly", not like AK-47. Um, he's been hurt the entire year. :facepalm

[poido123]

mmm we're just a different team without Horford

Tough to be a Hawks fan atm.

They had a pretty promising team with Horford..

[hawksdogsbraves]

Tough to be a Hawks fan atm.

They had a pretty promising team with Horford..

Yeah, I mean I can't complain too much considering the Nets lost their own star big man, but a 7/8 seed seems to be our ceiling now. A shame too, we were on pace to have a really solid season.

[It's A VC3!!!]

Nets are trash. Shaun Livingston just get rid of that scrub. Nets outscored by 12 in the second. Every damn game they get outscored by double digits in one quarter. They keep chucking threes yet they are like 1-20. Can you guys play for 48 minutes just once

[niko]

The Knicks/Spurs game was my favorite this year because it's the first back and forth game the Knicks have won. They didn't blow the other team out, or get back in it because the other team stopped and the Knicks got hot. They won a back and forth game, which is what most games are. That was important for that reason. That the Knicks played well the next two days was not a surprise.

This is going to be that kind of game. That kind of game the Nets lose. Back and forth with a team of an equal level. They need to learn how to pull these out and the Hawks are the kind of team you can do that against, they just seem to have lulls all over.

[niko]

Nets are trash. Shaun Livingston just get rid of that scrub. Nets outscored by 12 in the second. Every damn game they get outscored by double digits in one quarter. They keep chucking threes yet they are like 1-20. Can you guys play for 48 minutes just once
Livingston is tired. They play him too much. He's a sub with bad knees.

[poido123]

Nets are trash. Shaun Livingston just get rid of that scrub. Nets outscored by 12 in the second. Every damn game they get outscored by double digits in one quarter. They keep chucking threes yet they are like 1-20. Can you guys play for 48 minutes just once


They are missing a few shots, and a few bounces not going there way. Just a bad quarter.

Nets are coming good, I can already see signs that this team will start to get it together. AK47 is already making an impact on this team, give this team a bit more time to gel and have a set rotation and you will start to see them winning alot.

I think Nets should look to fire the coach though. You need an experienced coach to lead this team.

[fsvr54]

Damn, pretty terrible first half, let's get this lead to double digits in the second.

[It's A VC3!!!]

They are missing a few shots, and a few bounces not going there way. Just a bad quarter.

Nets are coming good, I can already see signs that this team will start to get it together. AK47 is already making an impact on this team, give this team a bit more time to gel and have a set rotation and you will start to see them winning alot.

I think Nets should look to fire the coach though. You need an experienced coach to lead this team.
they are 1-12 from the three point line and committing too many stupid fouls on defense. my main problem is that every single damn game the nets get outscored by double digits in one quarter, it is always a different quarter. then on defense they have allowed the hawks to make 6 more threes than them ( 18 extra points). anyways, i called for the nets to lose this game anyways so whatever.

[poido123]

they are 1-12 from the three point line and committing too many stupid fouls on defense. my main problem is that every single damn game the nets get outscored by double digits in one quarter, it is always a different quarter. then on defense they have allowed the hawks to make 6 more threes than them ( 18 extra points). anyways, i called for the nets to lose this game anyways so whatever.

Those 3s will start to go down. They have some very good 3 point shooters.

Don't stress, you guys will be fine :cheers:

As for my Bulls, we are on the track to tanking. So at least you have playoffs to look forward to :oldlol:

[It's A VC3!!!]

Livingston is tired. They play him too much. He's a sub with bad knees.
He runs perfectly fine out there. If you didn't know about his knee problem you wouldn't be able to sight any irregularities with him. His problem is that he can't shoot nor make any layups and should be posting the hell out of Jeff Teague right now. He's just a bad back-up point guard. If his knees are bad then I expect him to solely be a facilitator by playing with the starting unit and with Deron out. Yet he has ONE freaking assist in the first half? Inexplicable.

[It's A VC3!!!]

Those 3s will start to go down. They have some very good 3 point shooters.

Don't stress, you guys will be fine :cheers:

As for my Bulls, we are on the track to tanking. So at least you have playoffs to look forward to :oldlol:
even if my shitty nets make the playoffs it'll be one and done for us as is.:(

[R.I.P]

The Knicks/Spurs game was my favorite this year because it's the first back and forth game the Knicks have won. They didn't blow the other team out, or get back in it because the other team stopped and the Knicks got hot. They won a back and forth game, which is what most games are. That was important for that reason. That the Knicks played well the next two days was not a surprise.

This is going to be that kind of game. That kind of game the Nets lose. Back and forth with a team of an equal level. They need to learn how to pull these out and the Hawks are the kind of team you can do that against, they just seem to have lulls all over.
Nets should lose this. There no reason Nets should be stay above Knick at all. Knicks will be just better with Tyson's back and Nets only get worse with Kidd's coaching :lol :lol :lol

[poido123]

Garnett's moving screens and carrying a guy away from the ball is pretty funny :oldlol:

He's got away with a few of those tonight.

[niko]

He runs perfectly fine out there. If you didn't know about his knee problem you wouldn't be able to sight any irregularities with him. His problem is that he can't shoot nor make any layups and should be posting the hell out of Jeff Teague right now. He's just a bad back-up point guard. If his knees are bad then I expect him to solely be a facilitator by playing with the starting unit and with Deron out. Yet he has ONE freaking assist in the first half? Inexplicable.
He himself is my source. He said that he played too much earlier in the year and that's why his play fell off because his knees were hurting. Have you had knee problems? They limit how much you can play, and when you do too much, they hurt and limit what you can do.

His knee fell apart at 20 different angles and was rebuilt, you can't see how this might limit him?

[It's A VC3!!!]

Shaun Livingston caused the Hawks to go on an 8-0 run. Just trade that piece of shit. I literally hate him as a player. Dude ****ing sucks.



REGGIE EVANS YOU ARE A RETARD.

[bdreason]

Hawks are a completely different team without Horford.

[fsvr54]

Lol we ****ing suck, no redbounding or defense...... or offense for that matter in this quarter.

[niko]

That was a terrible game, and all the good Net fans (Gigantes, ChuckOakley, JkiddKidd etc.) who are fun are gone so the threads are just awful. No analysis, no following the game. Maybe if they get better it will change but I think I'll pass on tomorrow's game thread.

Awful game. Good win but awful game. Hawks are awful, practically didn't want to win, Nets got ticky tack homer calls all over, and it still was close at the end. Freaking Elton Brand dribbling 30 feet away making plays. Teletovic open despite the Nets having Garnett and Evans out there, neither of which can shoot. Hawks are bad.

[fiddy]

Watched the fourth quarter, ugly basketball :facepalm

[Dr. Ice]

The hawks without al horford is just...ugh...

[coin24]

Nets putting a few wins together:applause:

[AirTupac]

Teletovic putting the team on his back :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[Jameerthefear]

Well at least their winning now.

[It's A VC3!!!]

this was a great win without brook or deron. we will need deron to play next game though. mirza came through very clutch, as did joe johnson. heck, everyone chipped in. except for terry and his 0-5 night but hey, we won.

[It's A VC3!!!]

"Garnett said they call Joe Johnson "Joe Jesus." Cause "he might not always be there when you call him but he's always there when u need him"


I guess that's a insult and compliment at the same time but classic KG quote.:lol

[poido123]

Nets probably need to trade for a banging centre. A guy with size that can protect the basket.

A guy who can just grab rebounds and do putbacks. They have enough offense everywhere else. Maybe they could trade one of their PF's?

[It's A VC3!!!]

Nets probably need to trade for a banging centre. A guy with size that can protect the basket.

A guy who can just grab rebounds and do putbacks. They have enough offense everywhere else. Maybe they could trade one of their PF's?
I said to just trade Brook but what can we honestly get for him in return without packing someone else? He has two years $30MM on his deal and has broken his foot about 10 times already. I BADLY want Noah but that's not going to happen.

[poido123]

I said to just trade Brook but what can we honestly get for him in return without packing someone else? He has two years $30MM on his deal and has broken his foot about 10 times already. I BADLY want Noah but that's not going to happen.


Oh no, not someone to replace him, just a guy to come in and play a role. Does all the dirty work, big body, rebounds, blocks, that type of thing...

Like an Asik type player would be perfect for this team.

You just don't want him to be too good, Lopez might not be happy about it.

[Nets fan 93]

The announcers also made fun of players who "fall down and don't get up quickly", not like AK-47. Um, he's been hurt the entire year. :facepalm
If they're that much of a bother why do you watch the game? Sheesh

[Nets fan 93]

I was in attendance as was Rihanna. (; very good game. Wanted to see some Plumlee against undersized atl but oh well. Nets played some nice defense for once including KG. Nets killed it after halftime.

[niko]

If they're that much of a bother why do you watch the game? Sheesh
Yes, why don't I stop watching basketball games I want to because the announcers are homers. Punish myself because they are clueless.

Them praising AK-47 for his durability would be like the Knicks announcers laughing at stupid players after JR made a good play.

How close were you to Rhianna? Because it got cold it was a good stubhub ticket night. I know Knicks/Pistons is a great stubhub ticket night tonight.

[niko]

"Garnett said they call Joe Johnson "Joe Jesus." Cause "he might not always be there when you call him but he's always there when u need him"


I guess that's a insult and compliment at the same time but classic KG quote.:lol
I took it exactly the same way, i thought that was a great quote.

[Nets fan 93]

Yes, why don't I stop watching basketball games I want to because the announcers are homers. Punish myself because they are clueless.

Them praising AK-47 for his durability would be like the Knicks announcers laughing at stupid players after JR made a good play.

How close were you to Rhianna? Because it got cold it was a good stubhub ticket night. I know Knicks/Pistons is a great stubhub ticket night tonight.
I was on the other side of the stadium. I had a good view of the front of her though lol

[STATUTORY]

I took it exactly the same way, i thought that was a great quote.

:lol it's actually a pretty poignant quote from KG

when is deron not hurt, smh nets should just announce when his ankles are well. Guy needs to lose weight for sure