Written by Mike Prada, Bullets Forever
ATLANTA HAWKS
Recap Rewind: Playoffs, here we come! Okay, maybe not quite yet, but the Atlanta Hawks have quietly won five straight road games. They had two this week, defeating the Phoenix Suns on Friday and the Golden State Warriors on Sunday. Unfortunately, they also had two home games, both of which they lost. The Los Angeles Lakers defeated them Monday, and the New Jersey Nets defeated them Wednesday.
Notable News: Friday’s 120-111 victory over the Phoenix Suns was especially satisfying for Hawks star Joe Johnson. Two years ago, Johnson was traded by the Suns to the Hawks for Boris Diaw and two first-round picks. After Diaw won the most improved player last year, the consensus was that the deal was a home run for the Suns, but Johnson has since emerged as one of the league’s quietist superstars. Amidst boos from the Phoenix crowd, Johnson scored 32 points to lead Atlanta to the victory.
Point guard Tyronn Lue, who has struggled all year with a lingering hamstring injury, was once again placed on the inactive list Friday. Lue will remain out through All-Star weekend.
The Hawks’ five consecutive road victories is their longest such streak since 1993. For some perspective, that Hawks team was led by Atlanta legend Dominique Wilkins.
Fast Forward: The Hawks have a chance to increase their road winning streak to seven before the All-Star break, but it won't be easy. Waiting in their path are the Utah Jazz on Monday and the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.
CHARLOTTE BOBCATS
Recap Rewind: What a dreadful week for the Bobcats. They lost four games this week, none by less than eight points. The Miami Heat beat them by 20 Tuesday, and the Houston Rockets beat them by 21 Saturday. In-between, the Bobcats lost by nine to the lowly Philadelphia 76ers and by eight to the mediocre Portland Trailblazers.
Notable News: With regards to All-Star weekend, it was all about who wasn't selected for the Bobcats. Matt Carroll was not selected to the three-point shootout, and Ryan Hollins was not selected to the dunk contest.
Adam Morrison has struggled with his shot all year, but may have had his worst game against Philadelphia despite scoring 10 points. Morrison was matched up against Steven Hunter, the Sixers big post player, but still wasn't able to take advantage of his quickness.
Fast Forward: The Bobcats play one more home game against the Chicago Bulls Wednesday before the All-Star break.
MIAMI HEAT
Recap Rewind: You hear those footsteps? It's the defending champions, and they're finally starting to creep up on everyone. The Heat have won six of their last seven games, and got wins this week against the Charlotte Bobcats and Boston Celtics. They suffered a bad loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, but rebounded in emphatic fashion, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 100-85 to get back to within one game of .500.
Notable News: Apparently, Dwayne Wade still holds a grudge from last season, when his team, you know, actually won the title. The Heat superstar called out Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki this week, telling the Miami Herald, "Dirk says they gave us the championship last year, but he's the reason they lost the championship, because he wasn't the leader that he's supposed to be in the closing moments. That's because of great defense by us, but also he wasn't assertive enough as a leader's supposed to be." Naturally, Dallas' outspoken owner Mark Cuban responded, saying on his blog, "I guess you have earned the right to criticize Dirk with an obvious display of your own leadership skills. I know Shaq [O'Neal] appreciates your leadership as well. He called out your team a few weeks ago saying it was 'embarrassing.' Great leadership DWade. Your coach sat players for being fat. I guess you couldn't lead them away from the buffet."
I don't know about you, but there's a real rivalry I'm looking forward to in the three-point shootout. No, it's not Gilbert Arenas vs. Dirk Nowitzki in a rematch of last year's final. Instead, it's current Heat Jason Kapono against former Heat Damon Jones. Jones has been boasting that he's the best three-point shooter in basketball, and Kapono agreed, saying in jest, "I think Damon will probably win it. He's one of the greatest," Kapono said. "I'm just a slow, hairy-backed white guy."
Fast Forward: The Heat have one more game against Portland on Tuesday before the All-Star break.
