Game 76: Atlanta Hawks (36-40) vs Dallas Mavericks (45-30)

[KillerLeft]

Kleber has been GREAT on defense tonight. Not just good, but GREAT.

[BoredAssistant]

Tim out here making good decisions wtf

[KillerLeft]

Kyrie going at Dejounte Murray

Faring much better than Luka is going at Hunter, too. He needs to keep it up!

[Chicagojk]

Luka is just filthy

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Sometimes I wonder how much of sports is just about want to.

Mavs just take over to end the half.

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Kleber has been GREAT on defense tonight. Not just good, but GREAT.

Yea he looks extra energetic tonight.

[KillerLeft]

Mavs show their ass for 21 minutes and use the last three minutes to build a decisive lead going into halftime. What team is this that we are watching?

[GATA]

Wouldn’t be surprised if Luka went for 50 in the second half

[Chicagojk]

Glad Hardaway got one to drop. This team is going nowhere if he and Kleber can’t hit threes. That’s just the truth.

I agree but let me expand.  The key for our playoffs with the expectation that Luka and Kyrie play to their standard is if PJ, Green, Jones and Kleber can be league average shooting open three pointers.  If they do with the defense they provide, there aren’t many answers to slow this team down.

[KillerLeft]

I agree but let me expand.  The key for our playoffs with the expectation that Luka and Kyrie play to their standard is if PJ, Green, Jones and Kleber can be league average shooting open three pointers.  If they do with the defense they provide, there aren’t many answers to slow this team down.

I see where you are coming from, but I do not believe it’s possible for all four to do that. And, even if they can, I still think they’re going to need that third source of offensive creation, which is what Hardaway represents. He doesn’t create off the dribble much (more this season than in the past tho), but he creates by moving without the ball. They are going to need a weapon like that against good defenses, and it is apparent to me that Hardy is not ready just yet.

[Chicagojk]

Yeah I don’t think JAden is ready yet either. He didn’t get enough minutes. Next year he will have more opportunity.

I didn’t see his first foul on a three pointer. Saw the second. Just can’t happen. I was going to say prior to the second foul that he was really competing on defense.

[KillerLeft]

Watching the Hawks broadcast tonight, and I never thought I’d say this, but I kind of miss Harper. Obviously, Folowill is one of the best, but this entire broadcast team is just brutal. Even the sideline reporter sucks.

[Chicagojk]

Kings up in Ny by 8 at half. Was more but the Knicks made a run late

[KillerLeft]

Is anyone else concerned that the patented Maverick slow starts are starting to creep back into the mix?

[KillerLeft]

At some point, the answer can’t be changing up the starting lineup. I feel like they have made that move about seven times this year.

[The Jom]

Is anyone else concerned that the patented Maverick slow starts are starting to creep back into the mix?

Nah it’s scripted sometimes. Usually means we’ll get second half whistles. Trying to keep Hawks fans watching. That’s all.

[KillerLeft]

Great hustle from Gafford and exceptional secondary break administration by PJ Washington.

[KillerLeft]

And AGAIN!

I have no idea what PJ Washington haters are seeing. I think he is just what The Doctor ordered for this team.

[KillerLeft]

PJ Washington has assisted on the last three Mavericks baskets, and all three of them were more difficult than average passes.

[GATA]

Gafford having a monster game

[KillerLeft]

Once you guys see him after a training camp with this team, you are all going to be grateful he is here. I wanted him here, and even I wasn’t prepared for the level of defense he could play. He is the best defender on the team, I think.