It seems like the Atlanta Hawks were a little bit distracted (like I was flipping channels between the basketball game and the Georgia game) for most of this first quarter. Atlanta is milking the clock, the passes aren't as sharp and the offense not as high-octane as their first two games. Maybe it's because they're playing in a back-to-back or that the Washington Wizards give them some matchup issues, but whatever it is, things seem a little bit lethargic and low energy at the Highlight Factory.
The Wiz go on a 15-2 run to take a 20-14 lead before Atlanta responds with a 3-pointer by Jamal Crawford. But the Hawks somehow manage to make Yi Jianlian look like Yao Ming, posting a pair of buckets before Al Thornton adds a couple of buckets to extend the Washington lead to double digits. Jeff Teague scores a bucket on the goaltend to make it a nine point bulge at the break.
Washington can't miss, they're hitting 60-percent (12-for-20) from the field, while Atlanta is having trouble finding the iron, hitting just 8-of-20 (40-percent) and turning the ball over five times. Five is also the number of points by Hawks top scorer Mike Bibby.
The cameramen cut on over to the lovely Hawks Dancers. (I've been told they are no longer the A-Town dancers... A-Town.. peace out, I guess). Ahhh. There's no place like home.