Hawks Vs. Trail Blazers: Atlanta snaps skid with 95-87 win over Portland
Josh Smith finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds as the Atlanta Hawks snapped a two game losing streak with a 95-87 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
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For the third consecutive game, the Atlanta Hawks suffered a second half let down but this time were able to pull out a 95-87 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Josh Smith finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds as the Atlanta Hawks snapped a two game losing streak with a 95-87 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Atlanta Hawks got off to a fast start in Portland and lead the Trail Blazers 56-47 at halftime. The Hawks took advantage of some turnovers by the Blazers in the first half and used them to get out in transition for some easy baskets. Atlanta shot 51 percent in the first half while holding Portland to 39 percent shooting.
Josh Smith leads all scorers with 12 points on 6-10 shooting. Smith also has seven rebounds in the first half to lead the Hawks. Kyle Korver added 11 points while Jeff Teague finished the half with five assists and three steals.
Rookie point guard Damian Lillard leads the Trail Blazers with 10 points. Wes Matthews and J.J. Hickson each have nine. Hickson grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds in the first half. Nicolas Batum added eight points for Portland.
Hawks point guard Devin Harris suffered a hamstring strain during the first half of Atlanta's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Harris played just under nine minutes in the first half and has four points and two assists.
Hawks guard Devin Harris has left game with left hamstring strain. Update to come. #ATLHawks
Harris' availability for the second half isn't known yet. If he is unable to go then Lou Williams will likely get the backup point guard minutes behind Jeff Teague. Coming into tonight's game, Harris was averaging 5.8 points and 2.4 assists per game in just over 20 minutes of action.
Josh Smith and Lou Williams were both game-time decisions for tonight's game with a stomach illness. Atlanta has two games remaining on its four-game west coast trip. Atlanta will travel to Golden State on Wednesday and will wrap up the trip in Sacramento on Friday.
Both Smith and Williams participated in today's walkthrough but were sent back to the team hotel early with a stomach illness. Larry Drew later declared both players as game time decisions for tonight's matchup. Josh Smith is expected to start along with Kyle Korver, Jeff Teague, DeShawn Stevenson and Al Horford.
Williams has been averaging just over 23 minutes off the Hawks bench a night. Will be interesting to see if either Williams or Smith have their minutes dialed back somewhat because of the illness.
Atlanta has lost two straight games and is playing its second straight road game in as many nights. The Hawks lost to the Clippers on Sunday and still have games remaining against Golden State and Sacramento on the road trip.
The Atlanta Hawks are in the midst of a two game losing streak and could be without two key players tonight when they take on the Portland Trail Blazers. According to the AJC's Chris Vivlamore, both Louis Williams and Josh Smith are sick and their status for tonight's game is currently in question.
Hawks Josh Smith and Lou Williams sick. Status undetermined for tonight's game vs. Blazers. #ATLHawks
Obviously this would be a huge blow to the Hawks if either Williams or Smith were unable to play tonight. Smith is averaging 13.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game this season while Williams is averaging 12.6 to go along with 3.4 assists.
Josh Smith missed Atlanta's win in Oklahoma City earlier this season with an ankle injury. Larry Drew opted to go with Anthony Tolliver as his starting power forward on that occasion. Williams is averaging 23 minutes off the bench and that would likely be split up amongst several players if he were unable to go tonight.
The Atlanta Hawks are looking to snap a two game losing streak as they continue their four-game road trip in Portland for a matchup with the Trail Blazers.
