Hawks at Nets
THE STORY: The New Jersey Nets host the Atlanta Hawks in the third
meeting between the teams this season. Atlanta has won both games,
including a 106-70 rout in New Jersey on Dec. 27. The Hawks placed six
players in double figures and held the Nets to 31 percent shooting. New
Jersey was more competitive three days later in Atlanta but still
dropped a 105-98 decision. The Hawks will have to guard against a
letdown. Atlanta is coming off a 109-94 victory over Chicago on
Saturday. Atlanta jumped ahead 12-1 to start the game and led by 17
points in the second quarter. "Whatever we did, we need to bottle it up
and put it in a water bottle," guard Jeff Teague said. The Nets haven't
been putting up much opposition to anyone lately. New Jersey has lost
seven of eight. Its only win came in a 97-85 victory over Toronto on
Friday that snapped a six-game losing streak and was the Nets' first
victory since beating Washington in the season opener.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, SportsSouth (Atlanta), YES (New Jersey)
ABOUT THE HAWKS (6-3): Atlanta shot 56.7 percent against Chicago.
The Hawks ended the first half on an 18-2 run and led by as many as 29
points in the third quarter. Six players were in double figures. Josh
Smith scored 25 points and hit 11-of-17 shots from the field. Vladimir
Radmanovic scored 17 points and made all five of his 3-point attempts in
a season-high 22 minutes. Tracy McGrady returned after missing the
previous game with a bruised knee, but was scoreless in eight minutes.
ABOUT THE NETS (2-7): New Jersey's momentum from beating Toronto
didn't last long. The Nets had one of their worst performances of the
season Saturday in a 101-90 loss to Miami that was playing without
Dwyane Wade. New Jersey fell behind 10-0 and was never in the game. The
Nets shot 34 percent from the field and tied a season high with 22
turnovers. Kris Humphries was New Jersey's only bright spot. He tied his
career high with 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Atlanta starting forward Marvin Williams is questionable for the game after sustaining a sprained left ankle Saturday.
2.
Nets point guard Deron Williams has struggled in the early going. He is
averaging 17.3 points, but shooting 34.7 percent. Williams shot 4-of-16
from the field and scored 10 points against Miami.
3. The Hawks have won three straight and four of five against the Nets.