by TheGreat1 on Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:42 am
Hawks escape with win; move to 2-0 on season
Atlanta (AP) - The Hawks showed perhaps some qualities that may come back and hurt them as the season progresses along. The Hawks played a very lax defense letting the Wizards run wild, mainly "Agent Zero" Gilbert Arenas as he went off scoring 29 points but also had contributions from Mike Miller and Antawn Jamison whom both chipped in 19 points. But the Hawks were able to bind together and win the game on perhaps the most important possession of the night. Gilbert Arenas caught a three wide open with only 15 seconds left to go tying the game up after Josh Smith hit both of his free throws extending the lead to 90-87 until Arenas' three that put the Wizards back into the game. Mike Bibby brought the ball down the court before throwing it down low to Marvin Williams whom went up with the pumpfake bringing Antawn Jamison up and allowing Williams to bank it off the backboard and put the finishing touches on the game as the buzzer went off.
The Hawks had help all night as Josh Smith was the Player of the Game for the Hawks pulling in ten rebounds while having 4 assists, 1 steal, and being the leading scorer for the Hawks with 21 points. The Hawks stats were more balanced throughout the night with Al Horford and Marvin Williams pulling in seven rebounds a piece to pace the team and Mike Bibby was one assist away from having his first double double of the season. All five starters had over double digits in points with Smith (21), Bibby scoring 14, Joe Johnson (17), Marvin Williams (18) and Al Horford putting up 13. The Hawks played a lot better as a team during the game despite blowing a few leads but overall the fans seemed to be impressed as their hometown team escaped with their second victory, this time much closer than the first game was.
As for the visiting Wizards it was "Agent Zero" putting up the 29 points that almost led his team to victory and would have put the Wizards in first place. Caron Butler didn't have as good of a game as his first as Butler poured in 50 points in his season debut but had to settle tonight against Atlanta for 13 points. Overall Arenas was getting open all night and that was what brought Washington back into the game at several points during the duration of the game. Whether it was Arenas, Mike Miller, or Jameson the Wizards had three hot shooters to count on all night.
The Hawks hit the road on November 1st to visit the defending NBA Champions, Los Angeles Lakers, at the Staples Center. The Hawks will be debuting their new red alternate jerseys with "ATL" written across them. Tune in as the Hawks head into LA looking for a third consecutive win.
Line Score
Washington 20 22 26 22 90
Atlanta 26 25 21 20 92
Washington Wizards Gatorade Top Performers
Gilbert Arenas, PG - 29 Points, 4 Rebounds, 7 Assists, 1 Steal
Antawn Jamison, PF - 19 Points, 9 Rebounds, 1 Assist, 1 Steal, 1 Block
Mike Miller, SG - 19 Points, 5 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 2 Steals, 1 Block
Atlanta Hawks Gatorade Top Peformers
Josh Smith, SF - 21 Points, 10 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 1 Steal, 1 Block
Marvin Williams, PF - 18 Points, 7 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 1 Block
Mike Bibby, PG - 14 Points, 9 Assists, 1 Steal, 1 Block
Great win.
