The Atlanta Hawks are putting on a not-what-to-do on defense clinic at Philips Arena. As a result, the Philadelphia 76ers are just destroying Atlanta's basketball team.
Unfortunately for the Hawks the 65-33 halftime score is as bad as it looks. Yes, Philadelphia is shooting lights out (62-percent on 27-for-42 shooting from the field in the first half), but Atlanta is just simply letting them do that. The Hawks are a step behind on the pick-and-roll, giving the Sixers wide open looks. They are getting outrun in transition and are taking ill-advised jumpers without being in proper defensive position.
The all-too-familiar result is a 32-point deficit at the break.
Elton Brand and former South Gwinnett High School star Louis Williams have 13 points each in what has become an embarrassing game for Atlanta.
Josh Smith has eight points, but is just 3-for-8 from the field in a game where the Hawks have just two more assists (11) than turnovers (9) and have been outrebounded 28-11
If Atlanta has any chance in the second half, they're going to have to start playing defense and whittle away the Sixers lead one bucket at a time. But more likely than not, this one is over.