OGT: Mar 18 Raptors (37-28) @ Hawks (30-35)

[Legends66NBA7]

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/10003882_10152001856931769_2093558201_n.jpg

Game Links: http://gofirstrow.eu/sport/basketball.html

Game Preview: http://www.nba.com/games/20140318/TORATL/gameinfo.html?ls=slt


Just more than a week ago, an abysmal stretch for the Atlanta Hawks seemed to be jeopardizing their chances for a seventh straight playoff appearance.

They've now seemingly righted their defensive woes and gotten back on track with their longest winning streak of the season.

Atlanta will try to continue its recent home mastery of the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night.

The Hawks (30-35) have won four in a row since dropping 14 of their previous 15, and improved defense appears to be keying the turnaround. They've held their last three opponents to 90.7 points per game on 39.3 percent shooting, including a 29.0 percent clip from 3-point range. Over Atlanta's previous 13 contests, opponents were averaging 109.4 points on 45.2 percent shooting, including 38.8 percent from beyond the arc.

Monday's 97-83 win at Charlotte trimmed the Bobcats' lead for seventh place to 1 1/2 games. Atlanta held Charlotte to 35.3 percent shooting, including 28.9 percent and 31 points in the second half. It was the fewest points allowed in a second half by the Hawks since holding Chicago to 30 in an 83-80 victory on March 2, 2011.

"The activity and the effort and the commitment on the defensive end in the second half allowed us to beat a very, very good team tonight," coach Mike Budenholzer said. "That's something that we want to continue to build on and continue to improve as we go down the stretch here."

Paul Millsap, who is averaging 23.0 points over his last four games, scored 28 and was one of four Hawks with at least two 3-pointers. They're shooting 42.8 percent from long range over the last five games.

Toronto, which has dropped nine of 11 at Atlanta, is letting opponents shoot 45.2 percent from long distance over its last four games.

These clubs split two earlier meetings, with the Hawks going 4 of 20 from distance in a 104-83 road loss on Feb. 12. Atlanta hit 10 of 23 3-point attempts in a 102-95 home win on Nov. 1.

DeMar DeRozan scored 31 in each and is averaging 24.9 points in his last seven meetings.

The Raptors (37-28) own a three-game lead for first place in the Atlantic and have won eight of 11 despite a 121-113 home loss to Phoenix on Sunday.

Kyle Lowry had 28 points and 13 assists and Terrence Ross added 22 points, but Toronto's bench was outscored 59-11. The Raptors have tallied 20 or fewer bench points in three straight games for the first time this season and have been without Patrick Patterson -- who averages 9.3 as a reserve -- for their last five due to a right elbow injury. Patterson is listed as out for Tuesday.

Toronto came close to losing another key player when Lowry was briefly treated after being kneed in the head twice during a loose-ball scramble, though he remained in the game after a timeout and is expected to play Tuesday.

"I got kneed in the head, bad," said Lowry, who is averaging 22.0 points and 9.8 assists over his last five games. "I've got a headache right now."

The Raptors will be looking for their 18th road victory for the first time since 2001-02. They're in striking distance of the franchise record of 20 road victories (2000-01) with eight more games away from home remaining after Tuesday's contest.

Millsap is shooting 57.4 percent over 14 career games against Toronto, which is his highest against any opponent.

[red1]

Lawd please let this be win #38. 10 games above 500? When was the last time that happened

[Legends66NBA7]

Lawd please let this be win #38. 10 games above 500? When was the last time that happened

Last Friday.

:oldlol:

[Legends66NBA7]

Also, this marks the return for the Raptors on the US national networks (NBA TV). 2nd time this year after only 1 in the last 6-7 years.

[red1]

Last Friday.

:oldlol:
I didnt watch it so it doesnt count. :lol

[Legends66NBA7]

"Coming in... Ross was not known as a 3 point shooter"

Come on, Zeke.

[red1]

"Coming in... Ross was not known as a 3 point shooter"

Come on, Zeke.
:lol what a dumbass

[Legends66NBA7]

:lol what a dumbass

I don't know why a lot of American analysts try to pretend they have watched the Raptors. They really don't.

[Legends66NBA7]

Ross, great defense on Korver.

[Legends66NBA7]

Jonas has been really good the last 2 games and it continues tonight.

[Legends66NBA7]

DeMar needs to stick to his man. 2 open look 3's.

[ProfessorMurder]

What's the update on Patrick Patterson?

[Legends66NBA7]

What's the update on Patrick Patterson?

Out another week with an elbow sprain.

[Kungfro]

Out another week with an elbow sprain.

Can't wait to have him back, I can only take so much Novak.

[Legends66NBA7]

Can't wait to have him back, I can only take so much Novak.

You and me both, brother.

[ProfessorMurder]

Out another week with an elbow sprain.

:cheers: I picked him up in my deep fantasy league. Hoping I can hold out in this first round of the playoffs then get a nice bump from him next week.

[Grey Dawn]

You and me both, brother.

x3

I have a man crush on Patterson :eek:

[Legends66NBA7]

Novak is so trash. If Casey doesn't want that type of defense, take him out off the game.

[Grey Dawn]

Also, this announcing is atrocious. Such ignorance

[Grey Dawn]

I'm on vacation in Gulf Shores Alabama, so I'm stuck watching a stream for the one game where the Raps are on national TV

[red1]

x3

I have a man crush on Patterson :eek:
Everybody loves patterson. Pat Pat is a beast

[Legends66NBA7]

Man, just play Fields. He will at least play defense.

[Grey Dawn]

Retarded announcers saying it was out of his hands as the replay shows the shot clock at 0.0, dumbass announcers were probably looking at the game clock showing 9.7

[Legends66NBA7]

Back and forth game, right now.

[Finger Roll]

Jonas doesn't get the ball near the basket enough. Has a nice touch and can open up the lanes for some slashes

[Finger Roll]

Lowry might need a breather

[Grey Dawn]

Isn't this a national game? Why are the announcers so stupidly homering for Atlanta? Disgraceful

[Dr. Ice]

Refs seriously have no idea what an offensive foul is, raptors are just ramming us and they keep calling blocking fouls

[TheReturn]

wrong thread

[Finger Roll]

Isn't this a national game? Why are the announcers so stupidly homering for Atlanta? Disgraceful

Wondering about this too. Hate sounding like a homer myself but raptors commentators are some of the best.

[Legends66NBA7]

Isn't this a national game? Why are the announcers so stupidly homering for Atlanta? Disgraceful

It's the Hawks commentators. It's NBA TV, not TNT or ABC where you would get the unbiased announcers.

[Finger Roll]

Ugl quarter from both teams.

[Grey Dawn]

It's the Hawks commentators. It's NBA TV, not TNT or ABC where you would get the unbiased announcers.

K thanks for clarifying. Raps are never on national games so not used to it.

So that means that if this game was in Toronto, Americans watching on NBA TV would be listening to Matt and Jack?

[Legends66NBA7]

De Colo giving us some decent minutes.

[Kungfro]

Wow, Novak doing something positive.

[Grey Dawn]

Oh, yeah, they just said "stay tuned for Hawks post-game". Makes sense now

[Legends66NBA7]

K thanks for clarifying. Raps are never on national games so not used to it.

So that means that if this game was in Toronto, Americans watching on NBA TV would be listening to Matt and Jack?

Yes, I think they would be listening to Matt and Jack or Leo.

[Fire Colangelo]

Just got home, glad I made it before the game ended :rockon:

[Legends66NBA7]

I think Casey has something against Hansbrough. He should be on the floor with no Jonas, Hayes issue a liability on offense, where as Hans will at least draw fouls.

[red1]

yes lowry

[Fire Colangelo]

Was that a 3? looked like he had a toe on the line

[Dr. Ice]

dominique wilkins needs to work on his eyesight

[red1]

can someone hit me with a stream? am at work and this stream sucks dick

[Fire Colangelo]

why is hayes in this game... everytime i see him he's a liability on the floor :facepalm

[moe94]

Full house in ATL like always.

[Kungfro]

What a terrible foul from Hayes, what was he thinking on that?

[Grey Dawn]

What a terrible foul from Hayes, what was he thinking on that?

Yup :facepalm

[Legends66NBA7]

Hansbrough is better than Hayes and is a more mobile defender. Hayes has committed 3 fouls in less than 30 seconds. :facepalm

[red1]

gawdry taking over

[Fire Colangelo]

Lowry is a beast.

[Grey Dawn]

Teague > Chris Paul (Paul is overratted whiney floppy poop)

[Fire Colangelo]

Wow get hayes out of there, 4 fouls in like 2 minutes wtf

[Kungfro]

Is Casey just gonna wait until Hayes fouls out before he subs someone else in?

[Fire Colangelo]

FINALLY Hayes is out.

[red1]

demar trolling these hawks fans :roll:

[Dr. Ice]

they can NOT be serious with these constant bailout calls for the raptors, jesus freaking christ.

[Uncle Drew]

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: refs

[Fire Colangelo]

:oldlol: derozan getting bailed out

[Kungfro]

Yea, think Derozan was acting on that one. :oldlol:

[red1]

god damn f*cking korver

[Uncle Drew]

I literally lolled when the refs called that foul. NBA refs are a mess. Fire those people. All of them.

[Fire Colangelo]

:facepalm yeah, leave the best 3 point shooter to gamble for a steal.

[Legends66NBA7]

Ross. :facepalm

How could you gamble to take Carroll over Korver ?

[aboss4real24]

idk how tor wins games.

they really have no halfcourt o#

[Dr. Ice]

Finally They Call A Charge

[andremiller07]

That is not a good call Milsap was moving, DeMar was in the air and Milsap slide underneath him

[Young X]

Off Korver

[Grey Dawn]

Slid into Derozan's landing space there, that was a terrible call, but they made it based on the rhythm of giving Raps several calls before that

[Legends66NBA7]

Should be Raptor ball.

[Dr. Ice]

hawks ball.

[Kungfro]

Is there grease on the floor or something? I feel like the raps are falling to the ground on every other play.

[aboss4real24]

Tor Sux

ez sweep in the 1st round

[Uncle Drew]

Finally They Call A Charge
Except it wasn't a charge, since Millsap was still moving. Another bad call.

[Fire Colangelo]

some really shitty calls in this game, both for the raptors and the hawks.

[kaiteng]

Why DeRozan can't control the ball well at clutch times? :banghead:

[Grey Dawn]

I'm glad I'll never ever have to listen to the Hawks announcers again.

dominique is a freak with his ignorant perspectives

[red1]

raptor ball

[Finger Roll]

Korver got his finger in there.. I hope

[Fire Colangelo]

lol'd @ the hawk announcers

"good call, one of the best calls in the game" for the charge call

:roll: :roll: :roll:

[Legends66NBA7]

That was Raptor ball.

[Craptors]

Nique and this other guy are first class homers.

[red1]

fuuuuuuuuck

[Young X]

Should have been Raptors ball :facepalm

[Fire Colangelo]

I'm feeling a lowry game winner

[Finger Roll]

Finally Teague misses one of those. Novak big shot..here we go

[Young X]

GAWDry

[red1]

gawdry!

[moe94]

Lowry da god

[Legends66NBA7]

Big shot, K-Low.

[Fire Colangelo]

gawdry!

[aboss4real24]

:lol

[Levity]

:bowdown: :bowdown:

[Finger Roll]

Lowry:coleman:. Dude never quits

[red1]

Ot!!

[Uncle Drew]

Lol, what a shot by Millsap. OT.

[moe94]

lmao Millass

[Fire Colangelo]

overtime ball!

[Legends66NBA7]

If Amir is hurt, were screwed.

[Levity]

hopefully lowry doesnt foul out in OT. but if i were atlanta, id let teague attack the basket until he does.

[moe94]

How do they stuff so many people in there? Place is packed.

[Dr. Ice]

lol these refs have sucked all night

[Young X]

Lowry plays so hard :applause:

[Legends66NBA7]

DeMar needs to be aggressive and attack the basket.

[Fire Colangelo]

Demar needs to stop shooting jumpers... attack the basket and draw fouls

[red1]

goddamnit demar

[Uncle Drew]

Millsap triple-double

[moe94]

Korver is ass

[red1]

wow the hawks just letting us stay in this game

[Fire Colangelo]

:lol raptors getting lucky

[Legends66NBA7]

Jump shots not falling. Unless it's an open look, please attack the rim.

That was shit defense by DeMar on Carroll.

[Fire Colangelo]

That was a bad shot...

[Legends66NBA7]

Keep getting stops.

[moe94]

lmao Hawks are wack

[Dr. Ice]

hawks have missed way too many open three's in overtime

[Johnny Jones]

Amir is so dirty

[Fire Colangelo]

:facepalm

[Legends66NBA7]

Play the foul game.

[Hotlantadude81]

lmao Hawks are wack

They dig their own grave even further with each win they get.

[Budadiiii]

I'm the greatest of never efter even win they all say what!!!

:biggums:

[Fire Colangelo]

Just wow...


gota get a steal right here c'mon raps

[moe94]

They dig their own grave even further with each win they get.
:coleman:

[Kungfro]

Val with 16 points and 5 rebounds in 20 min, and Casey goes with Hayes and Novak in the 4th, Salmons in the overtime. :facepalm

[Fire Colangelo]

Good game.


Anyone that watched the first 3 quarters can tell me why Val was benched for all of 4th?

[Legends66NBA7]

Tough loss.

Lost Jonas and might not have him tomorrow.

[red1]

Good game.


Anyone that watched the first 3 quarters can tell me why Val was benched for all of 4th?
Your guess is as good as mine. GG hawks fans

[Kungfro]

Tough loss.

Lost Jonas and might not have him tomorrow.

Did he get injured? I must have missed that.

[red1]

Tough loss.

Lost Jonas and might not have him tomorrow.
I tuned in for the 4th so wait you're saying theres an actual REASON this time for casey not playing him :eek:

[Hotlantadude81]

:coleman:

They got nothing besides the worthless 8th seed, Millsap and a injury prone Al Horford. That bunch has a bright future. :roll:

[Legends66NBA7]

Did he get injured? I must have missed that.

Back spasms.

This is the worst time of the year to get injuries.

[Legends66NBA7]

I tuned in for the 4th so wait you're saying theres an actual REASON this time for casey not playing him :eek:

Yeah, but I'm pretty concerned. We might bring on an upcoming losing streak if we lose tomorrow.

[Fire Colangelo]

Yeah, but I'm pretty concerned. We might bring on an upcoming losing streak if we lose tomorrow.

Shit, back spasms are a pain. Hope it's not serious.

[aboss4real24]

craptors r crap

[red1]

craptors r crap
Sup fresh kid. Knicks win the two championships you've been claiming they would win the last two years? Melo bring that chip home yet?













:lol

[Legends66NBA7]

Jonas actually sprained his back and Amir rolled his ankle. They could both potentially be out tomorrow. We would then have a Chuck Hayes and Tyler Hansbrough front court starting, with Steve Novak and Landry Fields being the back ups.

Sleep well, Raps fans. Sleep well.

[Sakkreth]

Dem injuries... Think Jonas would been enough of impact if didn't got injured to win this one.

[kwajo]

Jonas actually sprained his back and Amir rolled his ankle. They could both potentially be out tomorrow. We would then have a Chuck Hayes and Tyler Hansbrough front court starting, with Steve Novak and Landry Fields being the back ups.

Sleep well, Raps fans. Sleep well.
I had nightmares. Thanks.

[Legends66NBA7]

I had nightmares. Thanks.

Jonas is questionable for tonight's game, so there is still hope.

:D

Amir is a gamer, so he'll be there. Patterson with the team on this trip and I know he wants to play, but he'll be out.