NBA Power Rankings 2012: The Atlanta Hawks Need To Give Josh Smith Some Tough Love

The Atlanta Hawks will have a day off recover from their 20-point loss to Miami Heat as they prepare for their Valentine's Day (massacre?) matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers on the road. The Hawks struggled to prevent the Heat from getting to the line and will have to deal with an even bigger frontline (Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol) and craftier guard (Kobe Bryant) in the Lakers. Larry Drew, good luck sir.

Tom Ziller recently posted his NBA Power Rankings "of love" on Monday and his call out of players like Tracy McGrady, Josh Smith, Ivan Johnson and Vladimir Radmanovic essentially being potential lighter fluid to a burning fire was intriguing.

If the Hawks get positive contributions from those four players then they are as good as any team in the league. When they fail to get anything positive from them, they struggle mightily. While players like McGrady, Johnson and Radmanovic has much lower expectations put on their shoulders, its the unsteady performances from "J-Smoove" that prevent him from getting the respect that he probably deserves.

8 points and 7 rebounds against your division rival isn't going to cut it from a player who's arguably the most talented on the entire roster.

For more on this game Hawks fans should visit Peachtree Hoops and Heat fans should check out Peninsula is Mightier. For more news and analysis from around the NBA, head on over to SB Nation's NBA Basketball page.

Hawks Vs. Heat Final Score: Atlanta Is No Match For Miami, Lose 107-87

The Atlanta Hawks were unable to keep up with the high scoring Miami Heat offense and fell for the second time in three games against the Heat, this time by a score of 107-87. The Hawks were outplayed in every facet in Sunday night's game; they were not able to rebound the ball, could not force any turnovers and shot 39 percent from the field.

Hawks Vs. Heat Halftime Score: Atlanta Can Not Keep Pace With Miami, Trail 63-41

The Atlanta Hawks offense has failed to keep up with the Miami Heat in the first half and trail 63-41 at the half. The two teams were actually tied at 16 points apiece in the first quarter but the Heat went on a 14-2 to run to lead 30-18 after the first quarter. The second quarter was much of the same as the Heat had another 14-2 run, and now lead the Hawks by 22 points at halftime.

Atlanta Hawks A Virtual Lock For The Playoffs According To John Hollinger

Hawks Vs. Heat: Atlanta Not Overlooking Miami This Time Around

The last time the Atlanta Hawks saw the Heat they suffered a 116-109 triple-overtime loss to a Miami team that was without both Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. Atlanta let their guard down that night and suffered a somewhat embarrassing loss. Wade and James are both healthy now and the Heat will have the Hawks full attention Sunday night at Philips Arena.

Atlanta captured a 100-92 win over the Heat in Miami earlier this season. In that matchup Atlanta was successful at slowing the pace and did a good job forcing Miami to settle for long jump shots rather than drives to the basket.

This game continues a difficult stretch for the Hawks who depart on a five-game road trip after Sunday's game. The Hawks defeated the Orlando Magic 89-87 in the first meeting since Atlanta's first-round victory last season.

For more on this game Hawks fans should visit Peachtree Hoops and Heat fans should check ou Peninsula is Mightier. For more news and analysis from around the NBA, head on over to SB Nation's NBA Basketball page.

Hawks Vs. Heat Time, TV, Radio Info And More

The Atlanta Hawks have a chance to gain ground when they host the Miami Heat Sunday night. The Hawks have turned it around after losing two straight games and are now riding a three-game winning streak. This is the third meeting between the Heat and the Hawks on Sunday night with each team winning once. The last time these two teams played it was on Jan. 5, and the Heat, who were without LeBron James and Chris Bosh, won in overtime, 116-109.

One of the biggest keys to the game is whether the Hawks defense can find a way to slow down the Heat's up tempo offense, which is second in the league in scoring, with 102 per game. The Hawks' one of the better one in the league, ranked fifth in points allowed, so they should be able to handle themselves against the Heat offense.

So far this season the road team has won when these two teams get together.

Game Date/Time: Sunday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m. ET

Location: Phillips Arena, Atlanta, Ga.

TV: ESPN

Radio: 680 The Fan, 93.7 FM

Online Streaming: ESPN3

For more on this game Hawks fans should visit Peachtree Hoops and Heat fans should check ou Peninsula is Mightier. For more news and analysis from around the NBA, head on over to SB Nation's NBA Basketball page.

NBA Standings 2012, Southeast Division: Hawks, Heat Prepare To Square Off For Division Supremacy

The Atlanta Hawks are two games behind the Miami Heat in the Southeast division as they prepare to face off on Sunday. Can the Hawks keep up and make the division a two-team race?