Recap: Atlanta Hawks score at-home win over Memphis Grizzlies
Stadium: Philips Arena, Atlanta
Final Score: Hawks 112 | Grizzlies 109
Game-High Scorer: Rudy g*y (23 points)
Highlight of the Game: Josh Smith blocking Mike Conley (2nd Quarter)
Teams Status: Hawks (12-7)| Grizzlies (8-11)
Preview
The Atlanta Hawks won their fourth game in a row with a 112-109 victory over the visiting Memphis Grizzlies at Philips Arena, Atlanta on Wednesday night.
The Grizzlies took full advantage of every rebound – except the two most important ones at the end of the game. The Hawks’ Al Horford and Josh Smith grabbed two offensive rebounds that enabled the Hawks to run even more time off
the clock and provided Mike Bibby with an opportunity to hit a clutch three-pointer out of the corner that sent the Philips Arena crowd to the aisles.
Before the game, the Hawks had learned that star guard Joe Johnson would be undergoing surgery on his right elbow and be out of action for four to six weeks. Defeating a hot Grizzlies team in four-time All Star Johnson’s absence
was a stupendous feat for the Hawks.
Statistically, the game was a bit of an anomaly. The Grizzlies shot 52% of the game, out-rebounded the Hawks 40-28, and held a 66-42 points-in-the-paint advantage. Yet they still lost a game that had the final margin significantly
reduced by a couple of missed free throws.
The Hawks shot 53% of the game, with the real difference showing in three-point shooting, where they only took 12 for the game but connected on seven. They were indeed more efficient than the Grizzlies, tallying 33 assists on 42
made field goals in the game. Six Hawks players scored in double figures, including Josh Powell’s season-high 16 points off the bench. It was a big win for the Hawks, and is due to tremendous team effort, which is what they will have to keep up as the schedule
turns tougher this month.
Turning Points
The Hawks turned a 29-27 deficit into a 63-57 halftime-lead with a 36-point run that represented the Hawks' most productive second quarter of the season.
The Grizzlies trailed 63-57 at halftime, and fell behind 86-76 by the end of the third quarter before drawing within a point as Conley's running jumper whittled the Hawks' lead to 95-94 with 04:37 minutes left in the game.
Three Toppers for the Atlanta Hawks
Al Horford scored 20 points, six assists and six rebounds. Josh Powell and Jamal Crawford scored 16 points each.
Three Toppers for the Memphis Grizzlies
Rudy g*y did all he could, scoring 23 points to try to save the Grizzlies from defeat. Mike Conley contributed 22 and Zach Randolph contributed 19 points and 19 assists.
Atlanta’s Lucky Numbers
The Hawks had just 11 turnovers against a Memphis team that entered the game ranked No. 1 in the National Basketball Association (NBA) in forced turnovers (17.8 per game), and No. 2 in steals (9.44).
The Grizzlies had lost just the second time in six games.
The Hawks moved to 5-5 at home. They are 7-2 on the road, the best mark in franchise history after the first nine away games.
Nasty Performance
Grizzlies guard Xavier Henry had a nondescript game. He scored three points in 22-plus minutes, did not grab a rebound, and had one assist and a blocked shot.
Quote of the Game
While talking about the shooting capacity of Mike Bibby (53.8 percent), Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said, "That guy's shooting 56 percent from the 3-point line, and he's got a huge heart. If there was a key play to be made,
he made it. [The Hawks] didn't feature any one player like they would do more of with Joe Johnson in the game."
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