Atlanta (3-1) at Sacramento (1-3)

Fair Currently: Sacramento, CA
Temp: 65° F
  • Game info: 10:00 pm EST Wed Nov 4, 2009
  • TV: SS, CSCA

By JEFF MEZYDLO, STATS Senior Writer Nov 4, 2:11 am EST

Preview | Box Score | Recap

One key to a good start for the Atlanta Hawks will be playing well on the road.

The Hawks look for a second consecutive victory and fourth straight over the Sacramento Kings when they continue their four-game road trip Wednesday night.

Two nights after opening the swing with a 118-110 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta (3-1) won 97-91 at Portland on Tuesday. Jamal Crawford(notes) scored 27 points off the bench and Joe Johnson(notes) added 19 for the Hawks, who won despite failing to score at least 100 points for the first time in four contests.

This early road stretch offers Atlanta a chance to start strong, especially with winnable games at Sacramento and Charlotte on Friday to close the trip. The Hawks won their first four road games last season, but finished 16-25 for their 10th straight season with a losing record away from home.

The Hawks hope to change that as they seek a third consecutive playoff appearance.

Atlanta shot 46.3 percent and outscored Portland 50-34 in the paint thanks to a combined 23 points from Al Horford(notes) and Zaza Pachulia(notes).

Whether home or away, more big nights from Crawford should help the Hawks.

Acquired in a trade with Golden State in June, Crawford went 8 for 16 from the field for a breakout game after recording 36 points in his previous three with his new team.

“This is the most fun I’ve had because I haven’t had these kinds of athletes, ever. So it feels good,” Crawford said of playing with the likes of Johnson, Mike Bibby(notes) and Josh Smith(notes). “We have a really, really strong starting five and we have a really good bench, so we try to balance both and make the best of it.”

Crawford is averaging 15.2 points against Sacramento, but 23.3 in his last three against the Kings.

“He’s a shotmaker,” Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. “I haven’t had a big-time guy off the bench like that who can score the ball.

Johnson, meanwhile, is averaging 22.0 points through four games and the same in his last three versus the Kings.

Mike Bibby, who’s averaging just 9.5 points, had 29 and Johnson added 20 as the Hawks beat the Kings 105-100 on Feb. 18 to snap an eight-game losing streak at Sacramento.

After opening with three straight road losses, Sacramento (1-3) looks to build off a 127-116 overtime win over Memphis on Monday.

Kevin Martin(notes) scored 48 points while Beno Udrih(notes) added 16 and hit a game-tying layup in the closing seconds of regulation for the Kings, who went a miserable 11-30 at home last season.

“It wasn’t a must win, but it was a much needed win,” said Martin, who’s averaging 31.0 points and scored all but 10 produced by the Kings’ starting five.

Despite an unbalanced effort from his starters, first-year Kings coach Paul Westphal should be happy about his team’s depth after the reserves scored 67 points. Spencer Hawes(notes) added 21 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for Sacramento, which hadn’t scored more than 94 points in its previous three games.

Martin scored 63 points on 48.4 percent from the field in two losses to Atlanta last season.

Updated Nov 4, 2:11 am EST
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Team Comparison

Team Record Standings PF PA Road/Home Streak L10
Atlanta 11-3 2nd Southeast / 2nd East 105.5 98.9 Road 4-3 Lost 1 8-2
Sacramento 5-8 4th Pacific / 12th West 103.2 106.1 Home 4-2 Lost 4 5-5

Notes

Former Hawks owner Ted Turner watched from a front-row seat. ... With G Acie Law sidelined by a back injury, the Hawks dressed G Speedy Claxton. The $25 million bust went more than two years without playing until the final week of the season, and he actually got on the court in the waning minutes with the outcome long since decided.

Apr 19, 11:06 pm EDT

With Wednesday's victory, the Kings snapped a nine-game losing streak. ... G Rashad McCants played his first game at Target Center in a visiting uniform. He spent his first three seasons with Minnesota before being traded to Sacramento in February. He was booed when he entered the game in the first quarter and jeered when he shot an airball in the third.

Apr 15, 11:58 pm EDT
NBA

6 Comments

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  1. <i>mr_ramey23</i>
    6. Posted by mr_ramey23 Thu Nov 5 2:20pm EST

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    I disagree... Crawford is a prototypical 6th man who provides instant offense off the bench if either Mike Bibby or Joey is struggling, starting Crawford would completely disrupt the rotation and also increase the likelihood that he'd just starting shooting every time down the floor and not get every one involved since he's not really a point guard. I think Woodson should keep everything the same, it seems to be working so far.
  2. Anonymous Hero
    5. Posted by Anonymous Hero Thu Nov 5 9:33am EST

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    I can't even disagree with any of your comments because they are all accurate! One thing to add to it is that Mike Woodson needs to learn how to utilize his players strengths! With the lineup that tcpullen posted, that lineup could maximize the output of their starters and also have a defensive presence. Horford, Smith, and Zaza on the boards would automatically increase rebounding efficiency. Smith being a slasher would increase his fg% and could punish other 3's in the league, as well as JJ and JC punishing other 2's and 1's in the league. If they are gonna beat the top 3, they have to execute better on the defensive end and play tough defense for 4 quarters! They showed last night that they can play lock down defense when they want in limiting the Kings to 15 points in the 4th. If they could only play that way for 4 quarters, the Hawks could be a threat to anyone!! GO HAWKS!!!!!
  3. The Judge
    4. Posted by The Judge Thu Nov 5 8:38am EST

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    Hawks are playing some good ball right now, but they are not built to win a championship yet. They need much more power on the glass and a greater defensive presence in the paint. Horford is good, but he's a power forward at best, and they can't get past Cleve, or Boston or Orlando yet. But they'll have a good season, make the playoffs, and probably get bumped out in the second round depending on the matchups. If they wind up in a 5 vs 5 scenario again they'll make it to the second round.
  4. <i>tcpullen</i>
    3. Posted by tcpullen Thu Nov 5 6:44am EST

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    I agree with you supreme beatzz.. I think the hawks can win a championship if they change their line up.
    PG-Jamaal Crawford
    SG-Joe Johnson
    SF-Josh Smith
    PF-Al Horford
    C-ZaZa
    Teams cannot guard Crawford and Joe Johnson and they can't keep Josh Smith and Al Horford off the glass board. Josh and Al will lead the league in blocks and rebounds this season. This young team is capable of wearing down every team in the league if they play smart fundamental basketball.
  5. daryl s
    2. Posted by daryl s Thu Nov 5 4:51am EST

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    For the hawks to reach their full potential Marvin Williams is gonna have to be more aggressive. He's gotten off to a very slow start. He needs to show us that he's worth that 5 year $40 million contract that he signed over the summer. He settles for that broke jumper of his way to often. I'd like to see him become more of a slasher scorer. Other wise he's trade material. He goes to sleep during big games.
  6. SUPREME BEATZZ
    1. Posted by SUPREME BEATZZ Thu Nov 5 3:31am EST

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    FIRST!!! Joe Johnson and JC could not be stopped!!! The way Joe closed out, he need to satrt doing that every game and watch how the Hawks can easily become a Championship team. When he and Jamal on the floor at the same time, they RUN NUMBERS!!! Mite be the most dominate back court in the NBA if Jamal started! They can play with anybody if DAMNIT they ACT LIKE IT!!
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