Atlanta Hawks: Tough Week Ahead After Loss to Spurs
The Atlanta Hawks found themselves on the losing side of a Saturday night tilt in San Antonio, falling to the Spurs by a score of 108-88.
The Spurs defense smothered the Atlanta Hawks for the final three quarters of the game, after the Hawks led going into the second period. Fatigue definitely played a role in the Atlanta Hawks poor performance on Saturday. Saturday’s contest was their second game of two back-to-back road tilts against Western Conference powers, their third consecutive road game, and was their fourth game in five nights where three of the four teams they played were in the postseason last year.
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Not to make excuses for the club, but the Atlanta Hawks grueling schedule thus far this season has not played in their favor. They have played the most games out of any NBA team so far, and still have four games to play this week. Victories against Boston at home and Memphis on Friday on the road are nice, but the schedule does not get any easier for the next week.
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On Monday, the Atlanta Hawks host Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder have won four straight games going into Monday’s contest, and have not played since Friday against Detroit. At 11-6, the Thunder are third in the top heavy Western Conference, and are a staunch test for the Atlanta Hawks early in the season. Given the Hawks recent struggles and grueling schedule, this game looms large on the calendar.
The Atlanta Hawks are back to it on Wednesday, as DeMarre Carroll returns to Philips Arena as a member of the Toronto Raptors. Wednesday’s matchup against Toronto is a good early season litmus test against a good Eastern Conference squad, which now stands at 11-6. Even though DeMarre Carroll was a great player during his time in Atlanta, Kent Bazemore has admirably replicated his level of offensive and defensive production. Still, I’m looking forward to seeing the Junkyard Dog back in Atlanta.
On Friday, the Atlanta Hawks welcome Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers to Philips Arena. The Lakers have the worst record in the league, and are probably the Hawks’ best chance for a victory this week. Though Kobe Bryant is probably in the midst of playing his final season as a professional basketball player, there is always the potential that he could go off against the Hawks. Look at Vince Carter last Friday in Memphis.
Next: Atlanta Hawks Routed in San Antonio, 108-88
Thankfully following Friday’s game the Atlanta Hawks will have 5 days to rest before traveling to Dallas to face Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks. It’s a difficult game for sure, but the 5 days of rest should do the exhausted Hawks some good, especially with lingering injuries to Jeff Teague, Kent Bazemore and Tiago Splitter. Let’s hope the Atlanta Hawks can finally put together another good win streak as they head home.