Hawks routed in preseason finale

By Bud L. Ellis

Granted, it was the final game of what’s been a stellar preseason for the Atlanta Hawks.

But this was not the way to end it, especially to one of the teams the Hawks are chasing in the Eastern Conference.

Ripped apart inside and out, sluggish in every facet of the game, the Hawks sustained a 123-86 drubbing at Orlando Friday night, closing out the preseason at 5-2.

Buried under the onslaught of the Magic shooting 61 percent from the floor, the Hawks surprisingly lacked any punch or fire as a 37-16 first quarter buried Atlanta, in a game against their major Southeast Division rival. The Hawks missed on 50 of their 80 shots from the floor, and were dominated on the glass 46-32 (13 pulled down by Orlando’s Dwight Howard).

Jamal Crawford led the Hawks with 14 points. Joe Johnson and Randolph Morris scored 11 each, and Josh Smith added 10. First-round draft pick Jeff Teague suffered through a miserable night, going 0-for-15 from the field in scoring just four points.

Atlanta trailed by as many as 40 in the second half. The Hawks open the regular season at Philips Arena on Wednesday against the Pacers.

–30–

Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 6:18 pm by bud

Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Dwight Howard, Indiana Pacers, Jamal Crawford, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, National Basketball Association, Orlando Magic, Philips Arena, Randolph Morris