Game Recaps
Game Two Recap
2-0 Phoenix Suns @ 0-1 Atlanta Hawks
Suns burn Hawks
Hawks give up fourth quarter lead to lose game
The Hawks came into this game looking for their first win of the season, and this showed in their first quarter performance. The Suns are known as an exceptional running team, and so far opponents have tried to slow them (to no avail), however the Hawks took another approach and tried to match the Suns pace. The approach appeared to work as Al Harrington lead the Hawks, showing some supprising quickness on both ends of the floor.
Harrington showed some supprising quickness vs the Suns, here he beats Q-Rich with a quick first step
The Hawks trailed for most of the first, with a Childress trey with 41 seconds left putting the Hawks down by 5. This was followed by a Harrington dunk off a block on Joe Johnson. To cap off the run Peja Drobinjak hit a trey from 40 feet at the buzzer to tie the first up at 28.
Harrington was also quick on the defence, here recording a quick swat then dunk on Joe Johnson
The second saw the best quarter off basketball from the Hawks all season. THey managed to put a damper on the firing Quentin Richardson and Harrington continued his great play all over the court. With 2:53 left in the quarter Harrington reached 21 points after a huge put back dunk off a Walker miss. Harrington finished the half with 27 points, while Nash pikced up in Q-Rich's place notching up 14 points at the half. The Hawks led 55-48 at the half.
The Suns took control of the pace once again at the start of the third, putting up lots of shots, while the Hawks were matching on the other end. Harrington managed to record 33 points by the time 4:27 minutes had passed in the third. The Hawks managed to maintain their lead through most of the quarter, however the Suns made a late run in the alst 3 minutes to comeback to within 1 point at the end of the third 77-76.
The fourth saw the Hawks turn a potential win into an embarassing loss, they were outscored 26-16 during the fourth, and only showed mild signs of effort on both ends of the court.
(I really should have put up a better fight, but after the third I had to go to a school leavers dinner then hit the town, so when I played the fourth I was rather intoxicated.)
Player of the Game: Steve Nash
Box Scores
Play of the Game
Harrington saw the oppurtunity and went to the hole hard during third quarter action.
Game Notes(Props to Sit for letting me use this idea
)
The Hawks continued their terrible form from the FT line, only managing and terrible 6 from 18 this was matched by their terrible out side shooting (5-24)........ Boris Diaw remains scoreless after two games despite starting in both....... Shawn Marion only recorded 8 points but this was due to lack of shots...... Atlanta was out rebounded 51-42.
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Game One Recap
0-0 Atlanta Hawks @1-0 Seatle Supersonics
Hawks remain sleepless in Seatle
Atlanta lose opener, despite a dominant performance from Walker
The Hawks came into tonights game hoping for a win to start their season. Instead they gave Seatle their second. The Hawks started the game strong with Antoine Walker scoring the first bucket of the new season for the Hawks after 30 seconds of game time. Walker had a great game despite the loss recording 33 points on 15/24 shooting, pulling down 11 boards and dishing 4 assists. "Yeah 33 points so what, I was 1/10 from the line, if I had made those nine free throws we would have been a whole lot closer."
Walker scores the first basket of the season for the Hawks
The Hawks were terrible from the free throw line shooting a terrible 3 of 19. "We cant afford to miss this many free throws" Replied Coach Woodsen during a post game interview "We looked like a elementary school team shooting like that." Despite their terrible free throw performance the Hawks still shot well from the feild, shooting a commnedable 75% during the first, however the Sonics were able to get more shots and ended the first quarter on top 25-17 after Josh Smith failed to make an open layup at the buzzer.
At the start of the second quarter Josh Childress connected off a Smith assist to score his first NBA basket helping to pull the Hawks within 5. Childress finished his NBA debut with a solid performance putting up 10 points 5 rebounds and 6 assists. A Delk 3 pointer with 4:36 left in the second saw the Hawks with only their second lead of the game 40-39, however Allen (31 points) and Lewis (24 points 8 reounds) teamed together to score 1o straight points enroute to a 53-47 halftime lead.
Childress opening his NBA scoring account
Ray Allen continued his strong play during the third with 17 points, many of which came from Player of the Game Luke Ridnour. The Sophmore Guard recorded 18 points 5 rebounds and 10 assists. Allen was supported by the rest of the Sonics to give the Sonics a 33 point quarter to take a 86-71 lead into the final period.
The fourth saw the Hawks step up their defense to slowly claw the game back. A strong tandem performance from Al Harrington and Josh Childress saw the hawks come as close as 6 points at one stage however some kep shots by Antonio Daniels and Rashard Lewis saw Seatle put their fist down and take control again to take their second win (106-92) of the season.
Player of the Game: Luke Ridnour
Box Scores
Play of the Game
Harrington takes it to the hole hard over Fortson for the 3 point play. (Assist to Childress during the Hawks third quarter run.)
Quarter Length: 12 Mins or 10 Mins, I want realistic scores and 12 mins hasnt been providing them of late, ill have to see.
