Reserves lead Hawks past Cleveland in regular-season finale

By Bud L. Ellis

Wrapping up their most successful regular season in years, the Atlanta Hawks didn’t need to trot out their A-list lineup Wednesday night.

No, the guys on the bench drew the vast majority of the playing time in the regular-season finale at Philips Arena. But that’s OK. The stars of the Eastern Conference’s No. 3 seed already were preparing to tip off the second season.

Atlanta downed Cleveland 99-83 to conclude a regular season where the Hawks won 53 games, earned the No. 3 seed in the East and feel like they have what it takes to break through to the conference finals for the first time since the team was based in St. Louis.

This one was all about who wasn’t on the hardwood. The Hawks rested Joe Johnson, Al Horford, Josh Smith, Mike Bibby and Jamal Crawford. Cleveland didn’t bother playing LeBron James or Shaquille O’Neal.

One thing to note from this one: Atlanta’s top draft pick last summer, point guard Jeff Teague, showed a season getting minutes here and there might be the foundation for a really good NBA career. Playing all 48 minutes, Teague finished with 24 points on 11-for-19 shooting and 15 assists.

He had help on this night. Seven Hawks scored in double figures: Joe Smith, Marvin Williams, Zaza Pachulia, Mario West, Jason Collins, Mo Evans and Teague.

Atlanta plays host to Milwaukee in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Philips Arena.

—30—

Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 11:00 pm by bud

Tags: Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Jamal Crawford, Jason Collins, Jeff Teague, Joe Johnson, Joe Smith, Josh Smith, LeBron James, Mario West, Marvin Williams, Mike Bibby, Milwaukee Bucks, Mo Evans, National Basketball Association, Philips Arena, Shaquille O’Neal, Zaza Pachulia

Hawks kick off season with win over Pacers

By Bud L. Ellis

Defensively, it wasn’t what the new-look Atlanta Hawks wanted to see on opening night.

Indiana hung 65 points on the Hawks in the first two quarters of Wednesday’s season opener at Philips Arena. But the bolstered Atlanta offense still had the lead at intermission, and buoyed by five starters in double figures and a strong defensive showing in the fourth quarter, the Hawks opened this season of promise with a 120-109 victory.

As tough as it was for the Hawks to slow the Pacers in the opening two quarters, Atlanta found their defensive footing in the final 12 minutes. Indiana shot just 33 percent and scored only 15 points in the final quarter.

That would be enough to give Atlanta the separation it needed, especially considering the strong offensive output from a team that returns all five starters and added four key pieces to the bench. Joe Johnson overcame a sluggish start to lead Atlanta with 25 points. Al Horford played strong in the middle, scoring 24 and pulling down 16 rebounds. Josh Smith added 18 points with eight assists.

Marvin Williams scored 14 points and Mike Bibby added 10, rounding out a stellar effort by the Atlanta starting five. Off the bench, Mo Evans chipped in 12 points. First-round draft pick Jeff Teague scored five and added four assists for Atlanta, which shot 52 percent from the field.

Atlanta tries for a 2-0 start Friday against Washington at Philips Arena, then opens a four-game road trip.

–30–

Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 9:13 pm by bud

Tags: Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, Jeff Teague, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Mike Bibby, Mo Evans, National Basketball Association, Washington Wizards

Hawks run past Heat, push preseason record to 5-1

By Bud L. Ellis

Running out to an 11-point lead after one quarter, the Atlanta Hawks continued their strong preseason showing Thursday night with a 92-87 exhibition victory over Miami in Jacksonville.

Opening the first of a two-game, two-day road trip through the Sunshine State, the Hawks shot 57 percent from the floor and never really were threatened by the Heat, the team the Hawks bounced in a sizzling seven-game series in the opening round of the NBA playoffs last spring.

Joe Johnson led five Hawks in double figures with 14 points. Johnson also finished with a team-best eight assists. Jamal Crawford and Al Horford each scored 12, and Mo Evans and Marvin Williams scored 10 points apiece. Horford led the Hawks with 10 rebounds.

Atlanta takes on Orlando Friday night in the preseason finale, then begins preparation for Wednesday’s season opener against Indiana at Philips Arena.

–30–

Friday, October 23, 2009 at 10:01 pm by bud

Tags: Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, Jamal Crawford, Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Miami Heat, Mo Evans, National Basketball Association, Orlando Magic, Philips Arena

Hawks join Atlanta’s 4-1 crowd with win over Wizards

By Bud L. Ellis

4-and-1 … it’s the operative record in Atlanta these days.

The Falcons are 4-1 and among the NFL’s elite. The Thrashers are 4-1 and off to their best start in the franchise’s 10-year history.

The Hawks? They’re getting in on the act, too. Atlanta improved its preseason record to 4-1 with a 113-95 victory Monday night over Washington, as six players scored in double figures.

Yet again, first-round draft pick Jeff Teague continues to impress. Teague scored a team-high 16 points with five assists, and Marvin Williams also scored 16. Williams hit 6-of-7 from the floor and pulled down six rebounds.

Al Horford scored 14 for the Hawks. Joe Johnson and Josh Smith each scored 13, and Mo Evans added 10 for Atlanta, which ran out to a 23-point halftime lead.

Jamal Crawford made his preseason debut, scoring four points with nine assists in 28 minutes.

–30–

Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 8:27 pm by bud

Tags: Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks, Jamal Crawford, Jeff Teague, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Mo Evans, National Basketball Association, Washington Wizards