| 09 March 2009
Game to Watch: New Orleans Hornets (39-22) at Atlanta Hawks (35-28) 4:00 p.m. PST League Pass
The NBA is hooking us up tonight. Ten of the twelve teams playing tonight currently hold a playoff spot, and there is only one guaranteed stinker (sorry Minnesota and Washington, but no one cares about you). This is the type of night where League Pass is your best friend, and you have the potential of seeing great games from 4 in the afternoon until 10 at night. So with all the great games on tonight, how did I choose this match-up for our game preview? It was the first game listed.
The Hornets are the second hottest team in the league and have won seven straight. They are 16-8 against the East and haven't lost on the road in over two weeks. Their current streak started up when Tyson Chandler returned to the team after his trade to the Thunder was rescinded. It seems to have been the most unintentionally brilliant non-move of the season. Since returning to the Hornets from his stay in purgatory (a.k.a. Oklahoma City), Chandler has averaged 11 points and 10.9 rebounds per game which are both over his averages for the season. It would seem he is so happy to not have lost Chris Paul that he is putting forth an effort again. His return has also sparked some inspired play from David West who is averaging 22.7 points and 10.6 rebounds in his last 7 games.
The Hawks at first glance seem to be struggling of late. They are 4-6 in their last 10 games and have only topped 100 points in 3 of those games. The losses aren't as bad when you look at them under a microscope. Five of those losses came on the road, and the Hawks aren't a great road team (much like any middle-of-the-pack playoff team). They were able to lock down LeBron James last week and lost the game on a questionable call. They also had another one-point loss to Denver the week before. They have been competitive all season and are a tough draw on their home court.
This is the part of the preview that I point out that Chris Paul is the best point guard in the league and the Hawks passed up on him back in the 2005 draft when they needed a point guard. Since then he has averaged 22.8 points, 11.6 assists to just 1.6 turnovers, and 3.2 steals on 50% from the field, 64% from three and 86% from the line. It's almost as if he is sticking it to Atlanta every time he plays them. Just thought I turn the knife a little Hawks' fans.
Key Match-Up: David West versus Josh Smith
David West seems intent on showing every naysayer that he deserved his All-Star selection. In eleven games since the break he is averaging 24 and 10 on 48.5% from the field and has led the Hornets to a 9-2 record. He is actually playing like a power forward and is a perfect complement to Chris Paul. Josh Smith has been the anchor to the Hawks' defense, but his post All-Star stats have been on a steady decline. His scoring, rebounding, free throw shooting, assists and steals have all dropped significantly over his last 10 games. Smith can prove to be a match-up problem, and the Hawks will need his production across the board to be successful.
Prediction: New Orleans is just a better team with a better point guard (I'm shameless)
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