Atlanta Hawks: Weekly Eye On The Prize
As the Atlanta Hawks prepare for their last 20 games of their historic season, I wanted to start a new series that concentrates on the coming week.
The “Eye on the Prize” series will focus on everything from their schedule to what has to be done to secure the #1 seed in the East in the coming week.
With this first edition of Eye on the Prize, I will concentrate on the Atlanta Hawks schedule this week and any other potential obstacles in their way.
Monday- Atlanta Hawks vs. Sacramento Kings, 7:30
The Sacramento Kings come to Phillips Arena to take on the Hawks on Monday, with both teams coming off losses in their last game.
Sacramento will be trying to stop a three game skid while the Hawks try to recover from their loss to Philly, where they held a double-digit lead.
Coach Bud wasn’t thrilled with his team’s performance but was determined to use it as a learning experience:
"“A lot of our guys got to learn and grow, It wasn’t our best night, but sometimes you learn from those as much as your good nights.”"
The Kings aren’t exactly the Warriors coming into the game 19 games under .500, but if you fall asleep on DeMarcus Cousins he can take over a game.
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Cousins comes in averaging a double-double per game at 23 pts and 12 boards. He had arguably one of his best games of the season on Saturday vs. the Heat as he went off for 27 points and 17 boards.
If the Hawks want to get back on the winning side, they will have to contain Demarcus and put away a struggling team when they have the chance.
Wednesday- Hawks vs. Nuggets, 9:00
Wednesday, the Atlanta Hawks will travel to Denver to start a 6 game road stand that is their final stretch against the vaunted Western Conference.
Denver certainly won’t be the Hawks toughest test on the 6 game stand, but they have played better ever since the firing of Brian Shaw. They are 2-2 under interim head coach Melvin Hunt and Ty Lawson is playing some of his best basketball.
The Tarheel PG is third in the league in assists averaging almost 10 dimes a game sitting just behind Chris Paul and John Wall.
Atlanta won their first showdown in December by 12, but that was before anyone was taking the Hawks seriously. Denver is going to give Atlanta their best shot and I’m sure Coach Budenholzer an the rest of the Atlanta staff will have them ready to play.
Friday- Hawks vs. Suns
The Atlanta Hawks start their weekend in Phoenix playing a Suns team who are fighting for their playoff lives in the final quarter of the season.
The Suns come in 2.5 games back of Russell Westbrook and the Thunder for the final spot in the Western Conference.
A lot of our guys got to learn and grow, It wasn’t our best night, but sometimes you learn from those as much as your good nights
One of the biggest threats the Suns can throw at the Hawks is center Alex Len. The 7′ 1′ former Terp has been fighting an ankle injury and has been day-to-day the last few games.
With each game becoming more and more critical, I can’t imagine Len sitting out too many more games. I’d expect Al Horford to have his hands full inside and I’m sure Jeff Teague will be up to the task of taking on Eric Bledsoe.
Sunday- Hawks vs. Lakers
One of the biggest disappointments early in the season for the Hawks was the home loss to a bad Lakers team. It was embarrassing.
Laker fans took over the lower bowl of Phillips and it was a loss that made you wonder if the Atlanta Hawks could be anything great. That loss put them at 5-5 for the season, and it was an early fork in the road where it seemed like the Hawks season could go one of two ways.
I think it’s pretty clear which road they took as they are 44-8 since that home loss to the Lakers in mid-November. Atlanta will be looking for some revenge and the Lakers haven’t been offering much in the way of competition of late.
The age-less Carlos Boozer put up 17 and 8 against the Mavericks last night, but when you’re starting point guard is un-drafted rookie Tarik Black, you are probably going to struggle to compete in the Western Conference.
Be sure to tune in tonight as the Hawks play the Kings at Phillips Arena. It’s a game you won’t want to miss!