As we get approach the 2013 NBA Draft, we are reaching out to local experts to help us scout some of the players the Hawks may take in the first round.  We had Christophe Ney from EuropeanProspects.com help us scout France center Rudy Gobert.

What are his strengths? Weaknesses?

Rudy Gobert has, first of all, terrific length with an incredible wingspan and great size to play as a center. Additionally, he is quite explosive and a good finisher in the paint. He runs the floor well and has a good timing to reject shots. From a physical point of view, Gobert is still quite underdeveloped. He struggles against stronger or shorter players because of a lack of strength. He has no real go-to-moves in the low post and mainly scores on put-backs and after passes from his teammates. He needs to work on his individual skillset to develop a more varied offensive package.

What did he add to his team in Europe? What do you think he’ll bring to an NBA team?

He mainly helped his team with shot-blocking on the defensive end and an athletic dimension all over the court. He suffered though a bit from a team structure that did not really favor him, as there was not a great playmaker to create opportunities for him. He has to be considered as a long term project for the NBA team that drafts him. Gobert has no significant experience on the highest European level as he played only in the French League so far. He has rarely faced opposition of his size, which will become an issue for him once playing in the NBA. Nevertheless, he will bring a great physical and athletic profile to build on for the future.

What kind of style is he best suited for?

I think that Gobert would fit best in a quick and free-flowing style with a good passing team. He will not be a force in the low post from where the offense can start. However, if a team is running a lot of fast breaks, Gobert can be highly effective as initiator with his shot-blocking and follow-up the break as a trailer.

What sets him apart from other draft prospects at his position?

Gobert is standing out because of his physical profile with a superb wingspan and excellent mobility for his size.

What NBA player would you compare him to?

Gobert himself has named Javale McGee as comparison to which I would agree in most parts, especially from a physical point of view.

What’s your favorite memory of him in Europe?

During the Adidas Eurocamp 2012, Rudy Gobert was playing there with his French U20 National Team. You had the impression that nobody in attendance has ever seen him play as Gobert did 2-3 dunks in a scrimmage and the whole gym was coming up with some “uuhs” and “oohhs” in an environment that is generally quite silent and “professional.”

Here’s what some of the national mock drafts are saying about Gobert:

ESPN.com Analysis: Atlanta is in rebuilding mode and can afford to swing for the fences. Gobert’s best attribute is a 7-foot-9 wingspan. He’s played adequately in the French League this year, but he’s still very much a work in progress. With most of the team heading into free agency, they need depth everywhere — especially on the front line.

NBA.com Analysis: Gobert’s play this season has not helped his draft stock, but the NBA sees real potential. The NBA also sees 7-foot-1, with a good chance to add needed bulk, and a 7-foot-9 wingspan.

YahooSports.com Analysis: He has a massive 7’9” wingspan and moves very well for a guy standing 7’2”. He should be able to clean the glass and play well enough offensively to make an immediate impact in the league.

Photo courtesy of Basketnews.net

As we get approach the 2013 NBA Draft, we are reaching out to local experts to help us scout some of the players the Hawks may take in the first round.  We had Glenn Logan from SB Nation’s A Sea of Blue help us scout Kentucky shooting guard Archie Goodwin.

What are his strengths? Weaknesses?

Goodwin’s strengths are his size, length, foot speed, and athletic ability. Archie is very fast with the ball in his hands and can put a lot of pressure on defenders in transition. He also can finish strongly at the rim, has excellent leaping ability and first-step quickness, and outstanding body control through contact.

Goodwin’s main weaknesses are his perimeter jump shot, left hand, and understanding of the game. His shooting form is incorrect for starters. He repositions the ball and releases slightly sideways. On perimeter jump shots, he never seems to jump straight up, always sideways or off-balance, and rarely lands in the same spot he starts from. He also shoots the ball at a flat trajectory, often leaving it short.

Goodwin has a lot of things broken in his jumper. It’s not as bad as Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, but it’s pretty broken for a guard. It will take time to fix all these things, but the big chunks can be addressed pretty quickly, like shooting off-balance and the flat trajectory.

Goodwin has no left hand to speak of when it comes to shooting. Like most high-school players who were far more athletic than their peers, Goodwin never had to learn the value of a left hand. Also, he has a poor understanding of the proper way to play the game, and his decision-making often leads him to head-down slashes to the basket, all too frequently resulting in a player control foul.

When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

What did he add to his team in college? What do you think he’ll bring to an NBA team?

He added good finishing ability and got to the foul line frequently. Unfortunately, his free throw shooting was hit or miss, and he missed way too many.

Goodwin is also a capable defender, but he has to be constantly reminded of his assignment and what to do. His athleticism allows him to get away with some mistakes at the college level, but he has to be more focused in the pros.
What Goodwin can bring right now to the pros is professional grade size, athleticism and energy. If he learns to take defense seriously, he can be a very good defender of multiple positions. He has good 2-guard size and takes contact very well. He isn’t a great finisher through contact yet, but he got knocked down a hundred times at Kentucky and never hesitated to get back up. Tough kid. A team that can channel that toughness and athleticism into meaningful effort will have a prize on their hands.

What kind of style is he best suited for?

The more wide open, the better. He’s much more dangerous in transition than in an offensive set. He also defends better in transition. He tends to lose focus on both ends in the half court, but the shorter NBA shot clock could actually help him in that area. He would defend well for about 20 seconds at Kentucky and then start to break down.

What sets him apart from other draft prospects at his position?

His combination of athleticism and quickness is rare. He is longer-armed (6’10″ wingspan) than guys like Ben McLemore and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and and has a higher ceiling than most of the guards in this draft. On the negative side, he is extremely raw, by far the least-developed player at his position in the draft.

What NBA player would you compare him to?

The closest I can come is Tyreke Evans, another NBA shooting guard who gets his points mostly by slashes to the basket.

What’s your favorite memory of him at Kentucky?

The Louisville game that Kentucky lost by 3 in the KFC-Yum! Center to the eventual national champs. Goodwin went off from three in that game. Kyle Wiltjer got Kentucky on a roll and back into the game, but Goodwin almost won it single-handed down the stretch, dominating Louisville’s smaller guards with his size and quickness and scoring seven points in the last 34 seconds.

As was typical of Goodwin in college, he had a turnover in that stretch that led to a basket, giving the Cardinals enough cushion to win. But it was a heroic effort. Goodwin made 3-5 threes in that game, and two of them were challenged shots, and one a four-point play. It was his best performance from the arc all year.

Here’s what some of the national mock drafts are saying about Goodwin:

DraftExpress.com Analysis: Goodwin is an excellent NBA prospect from a physical perspective, standing around 6’5 in shoes with a massive 6’10 wingspan and a developing 198-pound frame. Additionally, he is an explosive athlete around the basket, quick in both transition and off-the-dribble. Simply put, Goodwin has the physical profile of an NBA shooting guard with athleticism and length that will allow him to compensate for any height deficiencies at the next level once his frame fills out.

CBSSports.com Analysis: Click here for stats.

ESPN.com Analysis: Goodwin has elite speed and quickness. But his wild shot selection and poor outside shooting contributed to Kentucky’s woes this season.

NBA.com Analysis: He went from being one of the top recruits in the country to having a very inconsistent rookie season. But the physical tools and potential will keep a lot of teams interested.

Photo courtesy of TakingBadSchotz.com

As we get approach the 2013 NBA Draft, we are reaching out to local experts to help us scout some of the players the Hawks may take in the first round.  We had Zach Bell from SB Nation’s The Slipper Still Fits help us scout Gonzaga center Kelly Olynyk.

What are his strengths? Weaknesses?

Kelly’s main strength and the reason he is being discussed as a potential lottery pick is his versatility. He can score from any spot on the floor and has a tremendous knack for putting himself in the right position on offense. A very underrated facet of his game is how well he moves off the ball and how aggressively he moves toward the basket. A lot of this can be attributed to Mark Few’s offensive sets which force players to consistently be on the move, which brought out the best in Kelly. Because of his phenomenal skill set, he’s insanely efficient. He shot 63 percent from the floor last season and scored about 18 points per game in just 26 minutes.

I would say as it relates to the NBA, his main weakness is his lack of explosiveness. Many Gonzaga fans were underwhelmed by his rebounding ability last season, and it is somewhat justified. While he is remarkably athletic for his size, he never really showed the ability to become a dominant rebounder as he averaged just seven boards per game in the West Coast Conference. Similarly, their are concerns about his defensive presence, especially against physical competition. While Gonzaga has produced outstanding offensive players (Adam Morrison, Austin Daye for example), their lack of physicality on the defensive end has really impacted their NBA careers, so it will be interesting to see how that plays into Olynyk’s stock.

What did he add to his team in college? What do you think he’ll bring to an NBA team?

He was the main reason for Gonzaga’s remarkable regular season success last year. Most don’t realize Olynyk’s unreal rise to prominence and how rare a story like his is. He played two very mediocre seasons at Gonzaga prior to taking a redshirt season and then absolutely exploded last year. No one saw it coming, and he took a very solid Gonzaga team to a whole new level. Many, including myself, expected him to play a small role on the team last year, and he proved to be the most consistent force on the Gonzaga roster.

Whatever NBA team selects Olynyk will be getting a scary offensive contributor that is still improving. As a possible lottery pick, Olynyk is already very polished, but he is still getting used to being a big man. He will absolutely improve defensively in the NBA if he continues working like he did in college, and I truly think the sky is the limit for him.

What kind of style is he best suited for?

As I said in the first answer, Mark Few’s style suited Kelly so well. A fluid offense that allows their big men to put the ball on the deck and attack the rim is what Kelly needs. He is also tremendous and running the floor which is why a system like Denver’s jumps out to me. If Kelly is chosen by a team that wants to run out the shot clock each time down the floor and simply use him with his back to the basket in the low post, I don’t think he will find much success. He can absolutely make an impact in a slower offense, but he can truly star in a fast-paced system.

What sets him apart from other draft prospects at his position?

Kelly’s biggest asset in this draft is that he possesses an already refined skill set and a high ceiling for improvement. Looking around at the rest of the big men in this draft, I don’t think anyone is better than Kelly in this regard. Guys like Nerlens Noel have massive potential, but there are questions about when they will actually impact the game offensively. On the other side of the spectrum, you have players like Mason Plumlee and Cody Zeller who I would argue don’t have a very high ceiling in the NBA. They will likely both be solid career players, but the potential for stardom doesn’t appear to be there.

What NBA player would you compare him to?

Admittedly I don’t watch nearly as much NBA as I do college, but his style of play is similar to guys like Pau Gasol, Spencer Hawes, and other versatile big men that stretch the floor but will never be confused for true ‘bangers’. Whether or not his career has the trajectory of a Gasol remains to be seen, but from a pure skill set comparison, I think those players are fair comps.

What’s your favorite memory of him at Gonzaga?

Such a tough question because about three times a game, Kelly made plays where you could only shake your head and wonder how. With that said, I think my favorite memory of him at Gonzaga was the Washington State game this season. Olynyk scored 22 points, all of which came in the second half. There wasn’t one moment that stood out from that game, but I think it was the first time when Gonzaga fans realized ‘whoa, this guy is for real’. Obviously, he only improved from that moment.

Here’s what some of the national mock drafts are saying about Olynyk:

SportingNews.com Analysis: Olynyk is a polished scorer who can play in the post and step away for jumpers. But the question remains whether he can rebound and defend at an NBA level.

ESPN.com Analysis: … Olynyk was the most efficient big man in college basketball…

NBA.com Analysis: Part of the wave of Canadian prospects in recent years, with Bennett this season, Olynyk has an advanced offensive game for a big man. He has the ability to score from the post and the perimeter.

Photo courtesy of DraftExpress.com

As we get approach the 2013 NBA Draft, we are reaching out to local experts to help us scout some of the players the Hawks may take in the first round.  We had Anson Whaley from CardiacHill.com help us scout Pittsburgh center Steven Adams.

What are his strengths? Weaknesses?

Other than his athleticism for his height, Adams has three main strengths as I see them – his rebounding, defense, and ability to run up and down the floor. He was able to step in for Pitt as the starting center right away and rebounded and defended well. He even posted a couple of double-digit rebound games in the non-conference portion of the Panthers’ schedule. While the competition wasn’t the most difficult, he still had some impressive performances considering he wasn’t very used to the American style of basketball. Adams also runs the court incredibly well and has the ability to get out quickly on fast breaks and beat defenders for some easy transition baskets.

The part of his game that needs the most work is his offense. Adams is very raw when it comes to the offensive end, and while he improved as the season went along, he still is without a consistent ‘go to’ move. Many times it was evident he was trying to think his way through what he wanted to do – it just hasn’t been fully natural to him yet. His hands and play around the basket could use work as well. Adams frustrated fans at times by trying to lay the ball in rather than dunk it while he was around the hoop. And to top it off, he is a poor free throw shooter and currently without much of a jump shot. His offense leaves quite a bit to be desired.

What did he add to his team in college? What do you think he’ll bring to an NBA team?

For Pitt, specifically, Adams gave the team a much-needed defensive presence inside. He rebounded well and averaged about two blocks a game while altering quite a few more. Adams clogged the lane and made guards think twice before coming inside. He won’t contribute much on offense right away in the NBA, and rebounding in the pros won’t be as easy as it was in college. But if nothing else, he should provide a solid presence in the paint from the time he steps on the court. And eventually, the rebounding and the offense will come.

What kind of style is he best suited for?

Adams is very athletic and in reasonably good shape, so a team that gets out and runs would be a good fit for him. Eventually he should adjust to the slower pace of a grind it out half-court set but he’s not there entirely right now. Adams is also a solid passer so an offense that thrives on ball movement would work as well.

What sets him apart from other draft prospects at his position?

At this stage, it’s his rare combination of height and agility. Adams is a very athletic player and while he isn’t as developed as many of the other players in the Draft, he has a world of potential. There just aren’t too many seven-footers that are as athletic as he is.

What NBA player would you compare him to?

I’ve been comparing him to the Spurs’ Tiago Splitter a lot. Splitter isn’t considered a star, but Adams has a long way just to catch up with him. He’s a big athletic center that has really come pretty far all things considered. I could see Adams developing into that type of player – athletic, high energy, and a very solid contributor. He’s not on Splitter’s level right now, but that’s the type of player I could envision him becoming.

What’s your favorite memory of him at Pittsburgh?

Probably seeing the growth he made by the end of the season when he started to come into his own. He rarely was dominant at Pitt, but by the time he played his last game in the NCAA Tournament against Wichita State, he had advanced significantly as a player. I remember watching him in the press area for both of Pitt’s preseason games against Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) and Hawaii-Hilo, and seeing him up close, he was extremely raw. He was playing against shorter Division II players and still fighting to make a big impact. But in the last game against the Shockers, he was one of the few players who did much of anything for Pitt with a double-double against, what we found out, was a good team. He’s still very undeveloped, but there’s no denying that he improved as the year went on.

Here’s what some of the national mock drafts are saying about Adams:

NBA.com Analysis: The Hawks clearly have a need at shooting guard, as Lou Williams still came off the bench even when he was healthy. Caldwell-Pope, the SEC player of the year, averaged 18.5 points and should be a very good 3-point shooter in the NBA. And I’m guessing that unlike Dwight Howard, he wouldn’t mind playing in Atlanta after starring at UGA. He’s also a solid defensive player, and really looks like a perfect fit for the Hawks.

ESPN.com Analysis: Right now, scouts feel Adams has the most upside of the young bigs left on the board. Adams has the NBA body and toughness, but he remains incredibly raw offensively.

CBSSports.com Analysis: Click here for stats.

YahooSports.com Analysis: The Hawks have needed a solid big man, well, pretty much forever. They also need a shooting guard, but finding a true center should be the top priority. Adams is going to be a bit of a project, but he’s 7’0” tall, athletic for his size and should thrive at running the floor. He’ll need to work hard to develop an inside game worthy of the NBA, but has enough upside that someone will grab him in the first round.

Photo courtesy of SBNation.com

We’re taking a look back at the season that was for each member of the Atlanta Hawks, as well as a sneak peek into what the future might hold.  Today it’s Al Horford.

The season:  Al Horford had by far the best season of his six-year NBA career, averaging a double-double with 17.4 PPG and 10.2 RPG.  The two-time All-Star was actually left off the team this year despite the numbers, but a big reason for that was that he came on stronger in the second half of the season.  Horford’s elevated play, particularly in the second half, propelled the Hawks to their sixth straight playoff appearance in his sixth season with the team.

This had to be a gratifying season for Horford after a pectoral tear sidelined him after just 11 games in a lockout-shortened 2011-2012 campaign.  Horford put the team on his back at times and carried them through a barrage of injuries to reach the postseason.  He has developed a mid-range came, which makes him a bigger threat off the dribble, and he showed he can do damage in the pick-and-roll offense.  He shot 54 percent for the season, which aligns with his career average.  Simply put, it was a terrific year for the Hawks center.

The future:  Al Horford is one of only three players guaranteed to be back with the Hawks next season.  Horford has established himself as a face of the Hawks franchise and seems to want to play in Atlanta.  He has said that he will spend the offseason working out in the city and further improving his post game for next season.  Horford has entered the prime of his career and only seems to be getting better.  He’s also a positive locker room guy, which makes him a valuable asset for the Hawks.

Horford has also said that he’s excited to see what Danny Ferry’s plans are with the cap space and draft picks Atlanta has.  Horford is undersized for a center, and with most of the Hawks’ big men on the free agent market this summer, Ferry may look to bring in a true center, which could shift Horford to power forward, which I think would be better for him.  Not only does he have the mid-range game I talked about, but he runs the floor well and can defend the perimeter on rare occasions.  As a power forward, he would still be one of the quickest and most athletic at his position but wouldn’t have the pressure of guarding the other team’s biggest player every night.  We’ll see what happens in late June and July.

Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE/Getty Images

At the end of the day, Indiana was simply too big.

The obvious mismatch in size was a problem the Atlanta Hawks knew they’d have to deal with going into their first-round series with the Indiana Pacers.  Looking back, it was exactly that which lost them the series.

The Pacers dominated the paint from the opening tip of Game 1 to the final buzzer of Game 6.  And while there were stretches in which the Hawks played solid defense, there were longer stretches in which the Pacers played their game – pound the ball inside and either get easy baskets against a smaller team or draw fouls.

Indiana out-rebounded Atlanta by 70 in the series, which is an average of just under 12 per game.  They also shot 172 free throws, never going to the line fewer than 21 times in any of the six games.  As the Pacers put it, it was “bully ball,” and they certainly bullied the short-handed and undersized Hawks.

All that said, the series didn’t go nearly as one-sided as it looked on paper, or as many experts believed it would.  When the Pacers went up 2-0, it appeared as though it was over.  Two double-digit wins against the seemingly punchless Hawks could have sealed the deal, but the Hawks fought back with two relatively easy wins in Atlanta.  All of a sudden it was a series again…until Indiana carried momentum from a Game 5 route back into Atlanta and held on for dear life as the Hawks furiously rallied in the fourth quarter of Game 6, only to fall short.

One thing Indiana did well in all four wins was dominate the start of the third quarter, which I thought really took the life out of Atlanta.  Indiana had leads of eight, nine, seven and seven at halftime of their four wins.  By the six-minute mark of the third quarter in all four games, the lead was stretched to 15.  The sign of a good team is one that can put its foot on the gas when ahead, and Indiana did that beautifully in Games 1, 2 5 and 6.

Another big factor was David West’s resurgence in Games 5 and 6.  West scored 24 and 21 points in Games 5 and 6 after averaging just over 10 through the first four games.  He said after Game 4 that he needed to be more of a factor in the series, and he took it upon himself to be more aggressive at getting to the rim in Games 5 and 6.  That was a big reason Indiana got over the hump.

I’ve talked a lot about the Pacers’ offense so far, but credit their defense as well.  They held Atlanta to 83 and 73 points in Games 5 and 6 after four pretty good offensive games from Atlanta in Games 1-4.  They did it primarily by forcing the Hawks into perimeter shots and taking away the fast break.  A lot of credit goes to Indiana for the adjustments they made after the two Hawks wins in Atlanta.

Who knows how the series would have gone if Zaza Pachulia, who grabbed 28 rebounds in two games against Indiana this season, were healthy.  Nevertheless, you have to consider this season a success for Atlanta when you take into account all of the injuries, expiring contracts and offseason moves.  We’ll see how this year’s offseason goes, but I expect the Hawks to be busy.

Photo by Paul Abell/NBAE/Getty Images

A few thoughts after tonight’s 81-73 loss to the Pacers:

- First of all, congratulations to the Indiana Pacers on a hard-fought and well-deserved series win.  We knew this would be a tough series, and the Pacers certainly made it that.  They were the better team, and they deserve to be moving on.

- This game, particularly the first half, was a display of offensive futility.  The Hawks were getting plenty of offensive looks but couldn’t get anything to fall, topped off by a 6.7 percent shooting second quarter.  Amazingly, the Hawks were only down eight at halftime because Indiana was almost equally as bad.  The second half was a bit better, with the teams tying 44-44.

- A lot of people were writing off the Hawks when they got down 19 late in the third quarter. But as they’ve done all season, Atlanta battled back and made it a game, closing to within three late in the fourth.  If a few more shots fall at any point, we’re probably looking at a game seven.

- Fittingly, the Hawks end the season with five players in double figures but no one scoring 20 points.  That’s how it went during the regular season, and the balanced scoring continued tonight.  Granted, no one was not, so that makes scoring 20+ difficult, but the Hawks grinded as a team to keep it close.

- Larry Drew again went with the big lineup, shifting Johan Petro into the starting lineup.  When that wasn’t working, he tried going with Ivan Johnson in that role.  In the fourth, he went small, shifting Kyle Korver to small forward.  That small lineup did produce some offense, but it just wasn’t enough.

- One last note – Thank you to all of the fans that supported the Hawks this year.  Philips Arena was as loud as it had been all season tonight, and the support was tremendous.  We hope that continues and can’t say enough about how loyal our fans have been.

In a season plagued by injuries, with a new General Manager and a roster full of new players, I’d say the Hawks achieved more than most people thought they would.  They made the playoffs, got the six seed and pushed the three seed further than expected.  This should be a busy offseason for Atlanta.  I’m excited to see what happens.

Photo by Paul Abell/NBAE/Getty Images

Well Hawks fans, here we are.  Game 6 with the Hawks facing elimination and needing one more Indiana loss at Philips Arena to save their season.

The Hawks have played well in the two games at home in this series so far, but this game will have a different feel.  Will the Pacers be able to show their killer instinct?  Will the Hawks be able to live up to the pressure in an elimination game?  All of those questions will be answered Friday night.

The Pacers finally solved the Hawks’ big lineup Wednesday, scoring 106 points on 53 percent shooting while getting to the free throw line 35 times.  Playing at home was a big part of the drastic change in play, but it also appears Indiana has found a formula: pound the ball inside, get the Hawks in foul trouble and exploit the mismatches that result.  In Game 5, the Pacers got both Josh Smith and Ivan Johnson in trouble early, forcing Larry Drew to play Al Horford and Johan Petro extended minutes.  Paul George had a quiet first half until Smith left the game, then started to rack up the points once Smith was forced to the bench.

Here are my keys to Game 6:

- Stay out of foul trouble.  The Hawks have racked up a preposterous 126 fouls through the first five games.  That’s simply unacceptable if you want to win in the playoffs.  Atlanta has a good thing going with the big lineup on the floor, as evidence by Games 3 and 4, and the sharp first quarter in Game 5.  They need to be able to play to Drew’s rotation without it being interrupted by foul trouble.  If they can limit themselves to four or fewer fouls per quarter, not only do the starters stay on the floor, but they keep the Pacers off the free throw line.

- Good shot selection.  When the Pacers have started to make runs in this series, the Hawks have, at times, pressed a bit, forcing up shots in traffic or settling for long jumpers.  Obviously this team is best when they move the ball and everybody is touching it.  They need to make sure they stay within the offense even when the Pacers start to make a few shots.  In the series, particularly in the losses, the shot quality has gotten away from them when things start to go downhill.

- Keep your composure.  I wrote about this after Game 2 as well, and it happened again in Game 5.  Atlanta racked up technicals and silly fouls when the game started to get away from them, which is something you can’t do if you want to win.  With Indiana ready to close things out Friday, they will have their share of runs.  The Hawks will need to stay composed, not worry about the refs and play their game.  If they do that, this game should go the way Games 3 and 4 did.

A final warning to Hawks fans – Do NOT expect Friday’s game to go as smoothly as Games 3 and 4.  Indiana will no doubt come out energized and aggressive knowing they can close things out in our building.  The Hawks are going to have to respond to that energy and match it.  This will be a very close basketball game, and I think it will come down to execution in the fourth quarter.  Hopefully Atlanta keeps its composure with their backs against the wall.

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Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE/Getty Images

A few thoughts after tonight’s 106-83 loss to the Pacers:

- Obviously the Hawks wanted to take this game since Game 7′s on the road are almost impossible to win, but the Pacers did their job in protecting home court.  This is the only first-round series in which a home team hasn’t lost, so let’s hope that trend continues on Friday.

- For the second time in the series, the Hawks lost their composure in the second half.  Larry Drew talked about how he wanted to see his team complain less about calls, but instead it looked like they were complaining more.  Josh Smith got a technical after picking up his third foul of the quarter midway through the third, then Jeff Teague had an inexcusable technical minutes later when he elbowed Paul George on his way to the bench, and Ivan Johnson followed with one later in the half after a shove to Tyler Hansbrough.  If this series does get to Game 7, and I think it will, the Hawks are going to have to stay calm on the road if things don’t go their way in stretches.

- The shooting difference (51% for the Pacers, 33% for the Hawks) jumps out on the stat sheet, but to me that was a direct result of shot selection.  Indiana made it a point to pound the ball inside, particularly from the second quarter on, while Atlanta was forced into difficult and contested jump shots.  As I’ve said after all of the Hawks’ losses in this series, making Indiana shoot from the perimeter is the key to beating them.  Atlanta didn’t do a good job of that tonight as David West and Roy Hibbert combined for 42 points.

- Foul trouble doomed the Hawks yet again tonight.  Smith picked up two in the first half, limiting his play, then had to sit for most of the third quarter after getting three more.  I still like the matchup of Smith on George, but George did well when the smaller Devin Harris and Kyle Korver were on him.  Johnson also battled first half foul trouble, which limited Drew’s big man rotation.  If those two can stay composed and in the game on Friday, the Pacers won’t get to the 100 points they got tonight.

- One good thing Atlanta did defensively was force turnovers.  They forced Indiana into 17 while committing only six themselves.  I mentioned the 33% shooting earlier, but that’s only because they took shots on almost every possession having taken care of the ball so well.  Hopefully they’ll protect it like that again Friday.

- The Hawks shot more free throws (37) than the Pacers did (35), which is a great sign.  They were being aggressive, particularly off the dribble, and they were also significantly better, shooting 81%.  That’s something to build off of going into Friday’s game, though Indiana’s 35 attempts needs to be lowered.

Game 5 is over, so let’s forget about it and get ready for Game 6 Hawks fans.  Click here to get tickets.

Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE/Getty Images

A few thoughts after tonight’s 102-91 win over the Pacers:

- Obviously home court means everything in this series.  The Pacers took care of their end by winning games 1 and 2, and now the Hawks have protected their house.  The pressure is back on the Pacers as the series shifts to Indiana for Game 5 on Wednesday night.

- A lot of guys played well tonight, but we have to start the kudos with Josh Smith, who had a playoff career-high 29 points to go with 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals.  My favorite part about his offensive performance tonight was his aggressiveness.  He went to the line 16 times, and while he struggled there, he kept David West and Roy Hibbert in foul trouble, which opened up other opportunities.  Defensively, Smith shut down Paul George in the first half, as the Pacers superstar only scored three points.  While he did finish with 21, a lot of those were when Larry Drew moved Smith to the power forward position in the second half, meaning Devin Harris or Kyle Korver was assigned to George.

- Korver had a masterful offensive game.  Coming off the bench for the second straight game, Korver went 7-11 from the field, including 5-8 from three and scored 19 points.  Every time the Pacers got close, Korver hit a big shot to keep Indiana at arm’s length.

- Al Horford played through foul trouble to score 18 points, several of which were timely buckets and free throws in the fourth quarter.  Horford hasn’t had a truly great offensive game yet in this series, but he’s had four good ones.  Considering the size Indiana can throw at teams, I’d say he’s doing alright.

- Congratulations to Johan Petro and his wife Vanessa on the birth of their son Jacôb this afternoon.  Vanessa gave birth around 2 p.m., then co-owner Bruce Levenson flew him back to Atlanta on a private jet to get him here in time for the 7:30 tip.  Kudos to Bruce, and congrats to Johan!

- One thing you’d like to see the Hawks do a better job of is keeping the Pacers out of the paint.  Indiana had 42 points in the paint, 26 of which came in the second half.  The Pacers also made 20 free throws.  If the Hawks want to win this series, they’ll need to do a better job at forcing the Pacers into perimeter jump shots.

Game 4 wasn’t necessarily pretty, with 53 fouls calls and neither team shooting better than 44 percent.  But the Hawks were able to hold off a second-half charge by the Pacers and grind out a win to even things up.  Game 5 is Wednesday, and the Hawks know they need to win a road game at some point to have a chance.  It would be wise to win this next one, because Game 7′s on the road are almost impossible to win.

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