SB Nation Atlanta - Atlanta Hawks Vs. Washington Wizards: Josh Smith Wrestles Hawks To 99-92 Victoryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2011-02-05T21:58:05-05:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/17403902011-02-05T21:58:05-05:002011-02-05T21:58:05-05:00Atlanta Hawks Vs. Washington Wizards: Hawks Extend Streak Over Wizards To Twelve Games, Win 99-92
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<p>Atlanta defeated Washington for the twelfth consecutive time capturing a 99-92 win over the Wizards at the Verizon Center. Josh Smith and Marvin Williams both recorded double-doubles while helping pick up the slack due to Al Horford's absence from the lineup. Josh Smith scored 29 points and grabbed a game high 16 rebounds while Marvin scored 15 points while gathering in 12 rebounds. </p>
<p>After leading 52-46 at the half, the Wizards rallied to tie the score at 63-63 as the Hawks bogged down offensively. John Wall made his presence felt in the third quarter pushing the basketball ahead where he either finished the play or found easy opportunities for teammates. Atlanta countered with a small lineup featuring Josh Smith at the center position with Williams, Damien Wilkins as the forwards. The defensive results were good as the Hawks slowed down Nick Young who finished the game with 21 points but only five of those coming after halftime. After going to the small lineup, Atlanta was able to keep a hand in the Wizards face, forcing them into some tough shots and then were able to corral the defensive rebound. </p>
<p>Josh Smith's 29 points led the way for the Hawks while Joe Johnson finished with 21 of his own. Jamal Crawford had a tough shooting night going 3-12 from the floor finishing with nine points but did have a team high five assists. </p>
<p>The biggest difference in this game was at the free throw line where the Hawks were 26-35 for the night. Conversely the Wizards were just 8-18 with John Wall going just 2-7 from the charity stripe. The Wizards actually out shot the Hawks from the field connecting on 51% of their shots and hit one more three pointer. However, it wasn't enough to overcome the advantage at the free throw line or the rebounding margin that Atlanta built in the second half. </p>
<p>The win puts the Hawks one full game in front of the Orlando Magic for fourth place in the Eastern Conference at 33-18. Atlanta is back home on Tuesday night when they play host to the Philadelphia 76ers at the Highlight factory. </p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-hawks/2011/2/5/1977512/atlanta-hawks-vs-washington-wizards-hawks-extend-streak-over-wizardsKris Willis2011-02-05T20:19:22-05:002011-02-05T20:19:22-05:00Atlanta Hawks Vs. Washington Wizards Score: Josh Smith Leads Atlanta To A 52-46 Half Time Lead
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<p>Josh Smith scored 15 points and grabbed five rebounds while helping the Hawks build a 52-46 lead over the Washington Wizards at the half. Atlanta is playing without injured All-Star center Al Horford who suffered an injured back in last night's win over the Clippers. </p>
<p>The Hawks got out to a fast start leading 28-19 after the first quarter. The Wizards closed the gap in the second behind 16 first half points from Nick Young. Kirk Hinrich is also double figures for Washington scoring 10 points off the bench in the first half. John Wall scored all eight of his first half points in the first quarter after picking up two personal fouls in the first half. </p>
<p>Joe Johnson continued his good streak of shooting scoring 15 points in the first half while going 6-9 from the field. Mike Bibby bounced back from a poor shooting night last night to score seven points in the first half going 2-3 from three point range. After scoring 34 points in last night's contest, Jamal Crawford has been very quiet scoring just one point in the first half missing all four of his field goal attempts. </p>
<p>The Wizards out shot the Hawks 53% to 47% in the first half but eight first half turnovers helped the Hawks stay in front. Atlanta has also hit five three point shots and is 11-17 from the free throw line. Washington has lived on the perimeter in the first half going 4-6 from the free throw line. </p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-hawks/2011/2/5/1977394/atlanta-hawks-vs-washington-wizards-score-josh-smith-leads-atlanta-toKris Willis2011-02-05T18:03:35-05:002011-02-05T18:03:35-05:00Atlanta Hawks Vs. Washington Wizards: Al Horford Will Miss Tonight's Game With Back Injury
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Hawks</a> PR man Arthur Triche confirmed a few minutes ago <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/HawksPRGuy/status/34020633474121728">via Twitter</a> that <span>Al Horford</span> will miss tonight’s game with a back injury that he sustained at the end of last night’s game.</p>
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<p>@al_horford will <span class="caps">NOT</span> play vs. Washington. #Hawks</p>
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<p>Horford was injured last night on a drive when he fell hard to the floor after being fouled by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> rookie <span>Blake Griffin</span>. Horford was on the floor in pain for several minutes before getting to his feet long enough to sink the two game winning free throws. Horford limped off the floor afterwards and will not play tonight.</p>
<p>Without Horford in the lineup, expect <span>Jason Collins</span> to possibly get another start while being flanked by forwards <span>Josh Smith</span> and <span>Marvin Williams</span>. Another option for coach <span>Larry Drew</span> would be to go with reserve big man <span>Zaza Pachulia</span> as a starter instead of Collins.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-hawks/2011/2/5/1977183/atlanta-hawks-vs-washington-wizards-al-horford-will-miss-tonightsKris Willis2011-02-05T08:23:40-05:002011-02-05T08:23:40-05:00Atlanta Hawks Vs. Washington Wizards: Hawks Look To Continue Dominance Over The Wizards
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<p>After a thrilling victory over one potential rookie of the year candidate, the <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Hawks</a> are set to face another one on Saturday night when they travel to Washington D.C. to take on <span>John Wall</span> and the <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Wizards</a>. Hawks have been good, really good, against the Wizards of late having won the last 11 meetings between the two clubs. Both teams played on Friday night with the Hawks winning in thrilling fashion over the <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Clippers</a> and Orlando blowing out the Wizards at the Verizon Center. </p>
<p>The availability of Hawks All Star Center Al Horford isn't known after he suffered a hard fall and apparent back injury with 0.6 seconds remaining in the Hawks game against the Clippers. With the Hawks trailing 100-99, Horford drove hard to the basket where he was fouled by <span>Blake Griffin</span> and landed flat on his back. Griffin was assessed a flagrant foul on the play as Horford remained on the ground for several minutes. Al was able to get up and proceeded to make both free throws giving the Hawks the victory. He received treatment following the game.</p>
<p>The Wizards have suffered through a miserable season going 13-36 and having lost seven straight. While Nick Young is enjoying his finest season and could be the NBA's most improved player, tonight all eyes will be on rookie point guard John Wall. Wall scored 14 points and dished out five assists in last night's loss to the Magic but poses that difficult match-up problem for the Hawks at the point guard position. </p>
<p>Atlanta is currently in fourth place in the Eastern Conference three games behind the <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bulls</a> and one half game in front of the <a href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Orlando Magic</a>. The Hawks have enjoyed some success on the road this season going 15-11 away from Philips Arena which is tied for the second most road victories in the Eastern Conference. </p>
<p>For more on tonight's game join the discussion at <a href="http://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Peachtree Hoops</a>. </p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2011/2/5/2329212/atlanta-hawks-vs-washington-wizards-hawks-look-to-continue-dominanceKris Willis