Hawks 87 Hornets 79
The Hawks couldn’t possibly beat the high powered New Orleans Hornets to start the season 3-0. News flash-They can and they did.
History tells a much different story. With Chris Paul at the helm, the Hornets were 5-0 against the Hawks in his tenure. He put up gaudy numbers-better than 20 points and ten assists per game against the Hawks. With each victory he reminded the team and fans about the horrible mistake they made by not drafting him in the 2005 draft.
Finally, the Hawks have said enough is enough. From the tip-off, it was obvious that they were out to prove a point to the Hornets and the rest of the NBA, by getting off to a scorching 4-4 field goal start. With 6:19 left in the first quarter, arch nemesis, Chris Paul was on the bench and the Hawks were padding an early lead.
Despite early foul trouble, Paul woke up in the second quarter. He showed why he is truly an elite NBA player, by putting the Hornets on his back to the tune of 5-5 shooting and 15 points in the quarter.
Much to the dismay of the Hawks, the third quarter resembled many of the second half starts that fans have gotten used to watching over the past few years. Committing seven turnovers and only scoring 12 points in the quarter, they were overtaken by the Hornets surging offense.
Down 62-58 to start the fourth quarter, the Hawks called on Flip Murray to steal the momentum and take the lead back from the Hornets. Okay, maybe they didn’t call on him; but we’ll take his outstanding effort nonetheless. Because tonight, he was great. He scored points in the paint and hit critical shots from the outside. Though the Hawks were up 75-70 with five minutes left, due in large part to his play, he iced the game with a three pointer to end the Hornets last real chance at catching up.
Tonight was the Hawks’ night. They beat the New Orleans Hornets. They won on the road. When they got knocked down in the second half, they got back up. They didn’t back down. And most importantly, by beating the Hornets, they showed the rest of the NBA that every night can be their night.
Key Players for the Hawks:
Joe Johnson was an absolute rock as usual. He made big shots and quietly had 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Josh Smith started the game with up-tempo defense that got the Hawks going on offense by forcing turnovers. In the first quarter, he had three blocks and one steal. Despite a poor night on offense, he hit two big shots to start the fourth quarter and help the Hawks retain the lead in the game. Even more important, he did it with second string players surrounding him, giving the starters time to rest so they could finish the game strong. Also, he shut David West down on the offensive side all night. West came in averaging 22.3 points per game. Tonight, he had 15 points on 6-13 shooting.
Marvin Williams made big shots all night. To see the way Chris Paul has risen to stardom in the league, even though he was drafted a spot behind Williams, has to be a tough pill to swallow. Tonight, William hit big jumpers when it counted the most, at the start of the game and at the end. He should get open jumpers all season if players choose to double team Joe Johnson. It’s great to see him knock down the open shots.
Flip Murray received player of the game honors. The Hawks were down 62-58 to start the fourth quarter. Murray went 3-4 shooting with two three pointers in the fourth. On a night when Mike Bibby and A.C. Law could really get nothing going on offense, Murray came in and protected the ball at the point guard position and hit big shots. He has good size and the ability to take the ball to the hoop. This ability will be a big benefit for the Hawks this season.
Overall Keys to Victory:
Though Chris Paul had a big 2nd and 3rd quarter, the rest of the team was contained all
night.
Chris Paul had no points in the fourth quarter.
In three previous games New Orleans scored 108, 108, and 104 points. The Hawks
limited them to 79 points.
The Hawks limited the Hornets to only 71 attempted field goals by outrebounding the
team 45-35. That was the fewest attempts the team has had in four games this season.
They also only shot 42.3% from the floor, also a season low.
Notes:
The Hawks started the season 3-0 for the first time since the 1997-1998 season. During this year’s three game win streak, they have defeated the Orlando Magic (last years Southeast Division Champ) and the New Orleans Hornets (last years Southwest Division Champ) on the road. In previous years, one of the Hawks major concerns was their inability to win away from Phillips Arena. Despite all the talk about the Lakers, I think New Orleans will win the Western Conference this year. If my belief holds true, the Hawks could not have dreamed for a better start to the season.
The Hawks couldn’t possibly beat the high powered New Orleans Hornets to start the season 3-0. News flash-They can and they did.
History tells a much different story. With Chris Paul at the helm, the Hornets were 5-0 against the Hawks in his tenure. He put up gaudy numbers-better than 20 points and ten assists per game against the Hawks. With each victory he reminded the team and fans about the horrible mistake they made by not drafting him in the 2005 draft.
Finally, the Hawks have said enough is enough. From the tip-off, it was obvious that they were out to prove a point to the Hornets and the rest of the NBA, by getting off to a scorching 4-4 field goal start. With 6:19 left in the first quarter, arch nemesis, Chris Paul was on the bench and the Hawks were padding an early lead.
Despite early foul trouble, Paul woke up in the second quarter. He showed why he is truly an elite NBA player, by putting the Hornets on his back to the tune of 5-5 shooting and 15 points in the quarter.
Much to the dismay of the Hawks, the third quarter resembled many of the second half starts that fans have gotten used to watching over the past few years. Committing seven turnovers and only scoring 12 points in the quarter, they were overtaken by the Hornets surging offense.
Down 62-58 to start the fourth quarter, the Hawks called on Flip Murray to steal the momentum and take the lead back from the Hornets. Okay, maybe they didn’t call on him; but we’ll take his outstanding effort nonetheless. Because tonight, he was great. He scored points in the paint and hit critical shots from the outside. Though the Hawks were up 75-70 with five minutes left, due in large part to his play, he iced the game with a three pointer to end the Hornets last real chance at catching up.
Tonight was the Hawks’ night. They beat the New Orleans Hornets. They won on the road. When they got knocked down in the second half, they got back up. They didn’t back down. And most importantly, by beating the Hornets, they showed the rest of the NBA that every night can be their night.
Key Players for the Hawks:
Joe Johnson was an absolute rock as usual. He made big shots and quietly had 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Josh Smith started the game with up-tempo defense that got the Hawks going on offense by forcing turnovers. In the first quarter, he had three blocks and one steal. Despite a poor night on offense, he hit two big shots to start the fourth quarter and help the Hawks retain the lead in the game. Even more important, he did it with second string players surrounding him, giving the starters time to rest so they could finish the game strong. Also, he shut David West down on the offensive side all night. West came in averaging 22.3 points per game. Tonight, he had 15 points on 6-13 shooting.
Marvin Williams made big shots all night. To see the way Chris Paul has risen to stardom in the league, even though he was drafted a spot behind Williams, has to be a tough pill to swallow. Tonight, William hit big jumpers when it counted the most, at the start of the game and at the end. He should get open jumpers all season if players choose to double team Joe Johnson. It’s great to see him knock down the open shots.
Flip Murray received player of the game honors. The Hawks were down 62-58 to start the fourth quarter. Murray went 3-4 shooting with two three pointers in the fourth. On a night when Mike Bibby and A.C. Law could really get nothing going on offense, Murray came in and protected the ball at the point guard position and hit big shots. He has good size and the ability to take the ball to the hoop. This ability will be a big benefit for the Hawks this season.
Overall Keys to Victory:
Though Chris Paul had a big 2nd and 3rd quarter, the rest of the team was contained all
night.
Chris Paul had no points in the fourth quarter.
In three previous games New Orleans scored 108, 108, and 104 points. The Hawks
limited them to 79 points.
The Hawks limited the Hornets to only 71 attempted field goals by outrebounding the
team 45-35. That was the fewest attempts the team has had in four games this season.
They also only shot 42.3% from the floor, also a season low.
Notes:
The Hawks started the season 3-0 for the first time since the 1997-1998 season. During this year’s three game win streak, they have defeated the Orlando Magic (last years Southeast Division Champ) and the New Orleans Hornets (last years Southwest Division Champ) on the road. In previous years, one of the Hawks major concerns was their inability to win away from Phillips Arena. Despite all the talk about the Lakers, I think New Orleans will win the Western Conference this year. If my belief holds true, the Hawks could not have dreamed for a better start to the season.
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