Atlanta Hawks ready to face the Golden State Warriors on Friday night – NBA Preview
Atlanta Hawks will face Golden State Warriors on Friday night at ORACLE Arena, Oakland. Both Hawks and Warriors lost their first game after the All-Star break. The Hawk lost to the Phoenix Suns 97-105 while Warriors were trounced
by the Boston Celtics 115-93. However, Hawks are currently on the 5th position in the Eastern Conference and have a good track record as visitors. In their last encounter Hawks defeated Warriors quite comprehensively 103-93.
Kirk Hinrich, the new addition from Washington Wizards is likely to make his debut against the Warriors. Hawks are hoping that Hinrich will play an important role in Friday’s game and put them back on track. Hinrich’s average in
this season is 11.1 points and 4.4 assists in 48 games.
Hawks coach Larry Drew said, "We have been searching for a point guard, someone who can come in and run this club. I am not saying that Mike didn't do a good job. There just comes a point with the team where a change has to take
place.”
"With Kirk he brings toughness at that position. He is a heady guy, a smart guy and can make shots, all the tangibles we were looking for."
Hawks has lost five games out of their last six. Now they will try their best to stay away from fourth successive loss against the Warriors. Otherwise, it will equal their previous season high loss. Along with Hinrich, Hilton Armstrong
also landed in the Hawks in exchange for Mike Bibby, Maurice Evans and Jordan Crawford.
In the last meeting between the two teams game was within Warriors reach, but they failed to make a big spurt to overtake the lead from Hawks. The Hawks outclassed the Warriors in both field goals and three points shooting and
they also converted 18 of Warrior turnovers into 20 points. Despite Dorell Wright’s career high 32 points Warriors failed to register the win over Hawks. Power forward Josh Smith led the Hawks attack, he made 22 points and Al Horford scored 21 points and had
15 rebounds. Warriors were shorthanded without Biedrins and Gadzuric.
Despite winning 7 games out of 10 game, the Warriors are still four and half games away from the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Warriors three games winning streak cracked when they lost to Celtics. As their star
player Monta Ellis was held to 15 points, which is far below his average. Ellis didn’t do well at Atlanta in December, but his shooting in the last two games at home against the Hawks is pretty impressive.
Warriors sent the forward players Brandan Wright and Dan Gadzuric to New Jersey Nets. In place of them got the specialist Troy Murphy in a trade on Wednesday. Murphy served the Warriors for more than five seasons, after that he
was selected 14th on the whole in 2001.
Warriors’ general manager Larry Riley said, "Our draft-pick situation could use some help. Whenever we have an opportunity to acquire a draft pick within reason, we'll do that."
Tags: