Jeff Teague is doing everything he can to will the shorthanded Atlanta Hawks to victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Unfortunately, the Portland bench has responded with authority.
Teague has 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field, but the Hawks trail 38-35 at the break.
Rudy Fernandez has 10 points off of the bench for Portland, which has 23 points from its second unit. LaMarcus Aldridge has just seven points on 3-for-7 shooting from the field.
The Hawks look better in this one and are actually attacking the basket, but once again, the shots aren't falling for the Hawks, who are shooting just 44-percent (16-for-36) from the field. Portland is shooting just 36-percent (13-for-36) in this one, but they are actually getting to the line. As a result, they have the lead.
Al Horford is out for this one with a sore left ankle. Josh Powell was arrested on three traffic charges prior to the game and will spend the night in jail. Kirk Hinrich played just 11 minutes in the first half due to foul trouble.
The pace is good in this one, if the Hawks can convert some of those possessions to free throws, they should be fine. Obviously, we'll see what the second half brings.