OGT Feb 20: Raptors (36-17) @ Hawks (43-11)

[Legends66NBA7]

http://www.nba.com/games/20150220/TORATL/gameinfo.html?ls=slt


With four All-Stars and a solid lead over Toronto atop the Eastern Conference, the Atlanta Hawks didn't feel any pressure to make changes at the trade deadline.

The Raptors also stood pat after entering the All-Star break with the best record in team history.

In a matchup of the top two clubs in the conference, the Hawks seek their longest home winning streak in 18 years while the Raptors try for their best road run since 2001-02 on Friday night.

Atlanta (43-11) went 3-3 just before the break, but that followed a franchise-record 19-game winning streak, so the club saw no reason to make a move before Thursday's trade deadline. All three losses came on the road and the Hawks also managed to defeat NBA-leading Golden State and Washington in that stretch.

The Hawks, 6 1/2 games up on Toronto in the race for the top seed in the East, became the first team to have four All-Stars since 2011 when Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, Al Horford and Paul Millsap were selected.

After an 89-88 loss to Boston in its final game before the break Feb. 11, Atlanta will try to avoid its first back-to-back losses since mid-November. It's looking for a 13th straight home win, which would give the club its longest such streak since a 20-game run in the 1996-97 season.

"We were just going through the motions, weren't really playing hard," forward DeMarre Carroll said of the loss to the Celtics. "So that's what happens when you take any NBA team not seriously."

The Hawks aren't likely to make that mistake against Atlantic Division-leading Toronto (36-17), which is seeking its first five-game road win streak since Nov. 14-Dec. 1, 2001.

The Raptors, with an NBA-high 14 1/2-game division lead, were also quiet at the trade deadline after winning nine of 11 en route to the best record at All-Star weekend in the team's 20-year history.

"You don't want to sell the farm to win a series this year," said coach Dwane Casey, whose club has won three in a row. "We've still got to look at the big picture and that's the thought process."

Former Hawks guard Lou Williams had 27 points and DeMar DeRozan added 23 and hit the winning jumper with 12 seconds left Feb. 11, giving Toronto a 95-93 victory over the visiting Wizards in its latest game Feb. 11.

DeRozan seeks a fresh start in the second half after shooting 33.3 percent and going 1 of 8 from 3-point range in his past six games. He's averaged 29.3 points and 55.4 percent shooting -- going 7 of 14 from 3 -- in his last four at Atlanta.

Toronto beat the Hawks 109-102 at home in the season opener Oct. 29 and 126-115 on the road Nov. 26, then went 6 for 25 from beyond the arc and allowed 60.9 percent shooting from the field in a 110-89 home defeat to Atlanta on Jan. 16.

The Hawks have shot 53.7 percent overall and 50.7 percent from 3-point range in the season series. Korver has made 13 of his 18 3s while averaging 16.7 points.

Raptors All-Star starter Kyle Lowry hasn't had much success in the three games, averaging 12.0 points -- 6.6 below than his career-best season average -- and shooting 30.6 percent while going 2 of 15 from behind the arc.

The Hawks, 25-3 at home, have posted a minus-12.0 rebounding margin over their last six games. They've been beaten on the boards in all three meetings with the Raptors.

[andremiller07]

Did Raptors make any moves during the deadline?

[Alamо]

Did Raptors make any moves during the deadline?



No but Drake dropped a hot new mixtape

[andremiller07]

No but Drake dropped a hot new mixtape
It's worse than I thought

[Legends66NBA7]

Did Raptors make any moves during the deadline?

Nah, there was no point outside of getting back up C or a SF replacement and the players I wanted were gone or had too many years on their deals.

By the way for Dre Miller going to the Kings. You're the first guy I thought would go nuts over this trade. :oldlol:

[andremiller07]

Nah, there was no point outside of getting back up C or a SF replacement and the players I wanted were gone or had too many years on their deals.

By the way for Dre Miller going to the Kings. You're the first guy I thought would go nuts over this trade. :oldlol:
I'm getting that Jersey one way or another :pimp:

[Legends66NBA7]

No but Drake dropped a hot new mixtape

Drake can't let go of this team, even though he was gone for a while due to conflict of interest with the business direction.

[BurningHammer]

HBD JJ!

http://i.imgur.com/ruAea.jpg

[Legends66NBA7]

Media needs to stop pushing this Vince and DeMar comparison of anything.

[Kungfro]

Derozan certainly doesn't appear rusty at all, solid start so far.

[Legends66NBA7]

Good starts by DeMar and JV. Got to keep the defensive effort high.

[Kungfro]

Johnson is so good at powering through the contact.

[Legends66NBA7]

Bench has to match this effort the starters are giving.

[atljonesbro]

This has been a game of runs so far.

[Legends66NBA7]

I hope the coaching staff runs less and less ISO Lou at the end of the quarter.

[atljonesbro]

I hate Lou Williams game. So low iq

[Legends66NBA7]

Bench playing good defense.

Hawks should just go to Al Horford in this situation when they are in a drought.

[Kungfro]

Hansbrough!

[atljonesbro]

Ross held Korver about 3 different times on that play. He can't guard him

[Kungfro]

Ross held Korver about 3 different times on that play. He can't guard him

Ross has struggled on defense all year. Raps need to get the starters back in.

[atljonesbro]

Smh Lou Williams. Shits so ugly

[Kungfro]

You're talking all this shit about Lou but he's tearing the Hawks up right now.

[SugarHill]

Lou taking over

[SugarHill]

I hate Lou Williams game. So low iq
Translation: I don't like iso players or fun

[SugarHill]

Philips arena is packed :biggums:

[Legends66NBA7]

DeMar loves playing in this building for whatever reason.

[Legends66NBA7]

Kyle needs to shut his ass up.

Quit bitching to the refs.

[Kungfro]

That was a weird travel call.

[Legends66NBA7]

That was a weird travel call.

On the replay, it's the right call. Thought it was a travel when I first looked at it.

[Graviton]

Lets go Hawks! :bowdown:

[Legends66NBA7]

Defense in this 3rd quarter is intense, both teams.

[Kungfro]

JV giving the finger wag. :oldlol:

[Kungfro]

What is even happening right now?

[SugarHill]

That random run

[Legends66NBA7]

This is the most intense defense I've seen this season by the Raps and any other opponent going the other way.

Teague did get away with a foul on that first chase down, though.

[SESSEL15]

I don't think I've watched a weirder 3 minute run of basketball in my entire life.

[Legends66NBA7]

I don't think I've watched a weirder 3 minute run of basketball in my entire life.

Felt like a playoff game.

[Done_And_Done]

Louuuuu

[atljonesbro]

This has to be offensively the worst quarter for the Hawks all year

[Done_And_Done]

This defense is making me cream

[BurningHammer]

Raps Da Best :pimp:

[Legends66NBA7]

Raps doing to the Hawks what the Hawks did to them last month.

[Done_And_Done]

Love seeing quality offensive possessions materialize out of strong defense

[SugarHill]

Hawks being exposed as a d league team

It was nice run while it lasted. Fans are thinking this why we don't show up

[SESSEL15]

Raptors defence this game is absolutely nuts (save for Vasquez, obviously). Probably the best I've seen it in a long time. Atlanta just looks hopeless out there.

[24-Inch_Chrome]

Lou is fantastic to watch when he's on...the man can't miss.

[Grey Dawn]

Holy shit!

[Flower_]

4 all stars...

[Dr. Ice]

hawks have straight up forgotten how to shoot

[Legends66NBA7]

hawks have straight up forgotten how to shoot

Why don't they just post up Horford more ?

[fsvr54]

Our play the last few games has been a little worrisome, we need to bounce back from a loss with fire, not this atrocious display.

[Dr. Ice]

Why don't they just post up Horford more ?

Because we've been getting open looks and free throw oppurtunities. Not in our blood to pass up open shots.

[SESSEL15]

Teague seriously has a Parkinson facies, not a single muscle on that face moves.

[Hotlantadude81]

The run was nice while it lasted.

[BurningHammer]

Raps 3-1 Hawks soon. :D

[sportjames23]

Hawks,

http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/9/93078/2654457-7021850269-ib1Kd.gif

[BurningHammer]

I commend running up the score on this.

Making the statement! :rockon:

[imnew09]

been calling it since day 1, Hawks are overrated AF

[BurningHammer]

Hawks bandwagoners, are you ready to jump off?

[atljonesbro]

This is definitely the worst game the Hawks have played ALL year. Never seen anything like this before outside of our opponents

[Dr. Ice]

been calling it since day 1, Hawks are overrated AF
Last time this happened we went on a 19 game win streak :confusedshrug:

[Kungfro]

This is definitely the worst game the Hawks have played ALL year. Never seen anything like this before outside of our opponents

5/30 from three, Korver is 2/11.

[Velocirap31]

Hahahahahaha

[fsvr54]

This is a game where Teague needed to take over and drive to the paint at will.

[Hotlantadude81]

Last time this happened we went on a 19 game win streak :confusedshrug:

Yeah, like they did afer New Orleans blasted them.

[Twiens]

Just got home....looks at score. Woooooooo:cheers:

[nba_55]

Hawks are this year's Pacers:oldlol: :oldlol:

[SugarHill]

Just got home....looks at score. Woooooooo:cheers:
Needed this after Hawks stomped Raps

[keantona]

I suppose they'll continue to be written off in favour of the Hawks, Cavs and Bulls, but the Raptors can beat anyone in the East in the playoffs.

[atljonesbro]

Hawks are this year's Pacers:oldlol: :oldlol:
It's one game. This is a complete anomaly.

[Kungfro]

I just noticed the Raps only took 8 fts as well, usually that's kinda key for the Raps winning games.

[fsvr54]

Stop shooting 3s, teams need to have a plan b when jumpers don't fall.

[SugarHill]

I suppose they'll continue to be written off in favour of the Hawks, Cavs and Bulls, but the Raptors can beat anyone in the East in the playoffs.
Let's make second round first

[24-Inch_Chrome]

Can we expect a Richesly rant?

[kwajo]

Same here. Actually doubled checked on a second site because I didn't believe it haha

[Graviton]

1st game after the All-Star break, expected rust and bad team play. Hawks are still the best team in the East.

[Hotlantadude81]

It's one game. This is a complete anomaly.

Like the New Orleans game and the flop game against Boston?

This team is looking more and more like Indiana part 2.

[Kungfro]

I suppose they'll continue to be written off in favour of the Hawks, Cavs and Bulls, but the Raptors can beat anyone in the East in the playoffs.
If we play like this maybe, Raps have been far from consistent defensively though.

[sportjames23]

Can we expect a Richesly rant?


Please let that happen. :oldlol:

[atljonesbro]

Like the New Orleans game and the flop game against Boston?

This team is looking more and more like Indiana part 2.
They're still fine. It's a rough stretch. Still lead the east by a lot. If this play extends to about 10-15 more games I'll be concerned.

[Hotlantadude81]

They're still fine. It's a rough stretch. Still lead the east by a lot. If this play extends to about 10-15 more games I'll be concerned.

They've been playing like shit for about 3 weeks dude. THe only thing that masked it was the shooting. But now reality is setting in.

[Jailblazers7]

Damn, just checked the box score and saw Korver was 2-11 from 3? Off night or good D?

[Legends66NBA7]

Can we expect a Richesly rant?

If there is one, it better be about his team's play.

[SESSEL15]

Every team goes through rough stretches in the season. Atlanta is a great team and will get back to their winning ways soon enough. Before the Raptors recent streak of 9 of 11 wins , they went 3 for 11 prior to that.

[Legends66NBA7]

Damn, just checked the box score and saw Korver was 2-11 from 3? Off night or good D?

Mixture of both, but I would credit the D more.

[Hotlantadude81]

Every team goes through rough stretches in the season. Atlanta is a great team and will get back to their winning ways soon enough. Before the Raptors recent streak of 9 of 11 wins , they went 3 for 11 prior to that.

No, they're not a great team. That played great for 2 months. This was a mediocre team last year, a mediocre team to start out the year, and now they're coming back down to earth.

[SESSEL15]

No, they're not a great team. That played great for 2 months. This was a mediocre team last year, a mediocre team to start out the year, and now they're coming back down to earth.

You really think so? I remember when your streak started, i wasn't convinced, but then you guys were getting some quality wins against great teams. What are your expectations though? I mean, they are 33 games above 500 and will win close to 60 games.

[24-Inch_Chrome]

If there is one, it better be about his team's play.

True. Reffing got spotty at times but that shit went both ways (against the Raps more imo) and the Raps played through it and dominated the #1 seed in the EC for the big W.

[Hotlantadude81]

1st game after the All-Star break, expected rust and bad team play. Hawks are still the best team in the East.

This had nothing to do with rust.

[Hotlantadude81]

You really think so? I remember when your streak started, i wasn't convinced, but then you guys were getting some quality wins against great teams. What are your expectations though? I mean, they are 33 games above 500 and will win close to 60 games.

The bottom line is that they're not as good as they were in December and Jan. So, it really doesn't matter what their record turns out to be. They're an average team that played great for 2 months. They have no shot at repeating this record next year, and they're not a title contender this year.