| Atlanta Hawks News: |
| The Hawks participated in their final public tune-up for the season last night with an open scrimmage at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, and the effort was there. Marvin Williams in particular looked impressive, scoring 20+ points in the scrimmage and providing several highlight-reel slams.
The crowd certainly got a kick out of the action, especially considering it was the first time they got to see Josh Smith on the McEachern court since he last played high school ball there in 2003. Both open practices were a ton of fun, and for those that couldn't make it, put it on your mental calendar for next year. The 2007-08 NBA season tips off tonight with three games. Man, the offseason flew by. Three days and counting until the Hawks opener against Dallas, and I am on pins and needles. We have been debating back and forth over here what the preseason meant to the Hawks, who posted their best record (7-1) since 1983. In an effort to get more opinion on the subject, we tossed out the question of the importance of the exhibition season to several Hawks-related bloggers to get their thoughts. Check it out, we will definitely be doing this kind of feature throughout the season. In the weekly podcast with Slam Magazine's Lang Whitaker yesterday (whose first column for the Hawks website will be posted tomorrow), we discussed the possibility that the Hawks played their starters so much in the preseason so they would be ready for the brutal stretch of games the team has to start the season. I don't know if that is the case, but it does make some sense - Atlanta can't afford to play their way into regular season shape given their schedule. They have to hit the ground running, and running fast. |
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| The Hawks fought and clawed on Monday night, but came up short, 114-108, in overtime against the Detroit Pistons at Philips Arena.
Al Harrington poured in a season-high 37 points on 17-of-28 shooting before fouling out in the extra session for the Hawks, who fell for the 15th time in 16 outings. Tyronn Lue racked up 27 points and 10 assists, while Tom Gugliotta contributed 14 points off the bench. The Hawks shot a razor sharp 51.7 percent from the field, but allowed Detroit to knock down 49.4 percent of its shots. Detroit took the Hawks to task from beyond the arc, hitting nine as compared to two for Atlanta. The Hawks were also outscored, 23-14, at the foul line. Atlanta did force 13 Detroit turnovers leading to 18 points, but committed 11 miscues of its own. Atlanta's Predrag Drobjnak sat out due to the flu. Drobjnak is listed as day- to-day. The Hawks activated guard Tony Delk from the injured list and placed center Michael Stewart on the IL with back spasms. Delk, who had two points in six minutes of action, had been sidelined since February 23 with a left hand contusion. Atlanta fell to 0-3 in overtime games at home this season. Five of the Hawks' last six games have been decided by six points or less. Atlanta has won just one game since Feb. 7. The Hawks have a day off before continuing their four-game homestand against Washington on Wednesday night. Atlanta will then close out its week against the New York Knicks at Philips Arena on Friday evening. |
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