Eastern Conference NBA Best Matchup of the Week: Philadelphia at Atlanta
Saturday, February 04, 2012
Frank Martin
Two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference try to clear their heads after taking tough losses in recent games. The Atlanta Hawks were welcomed back from a five-game road trip with a 96-77 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday. Head coach Larry Drew blamed the one-sided defeat on the wear and tear of the road.
However, Atlanta, playing without injured centers Al Horford and Jason Collins, was undersized against the Grizzlies frontcourt. The Philadelphia 76ers come to Philips Arena on the heels of a 99-79 thrashing at the hands of the Miami Heat. Philadelphia is also without its top center Spencer Hawes, and leaning on veterans Tony Battie and Elton Brand under the basket.
Neither scored a point in the loss to Miami. The Sixers have won three straight games over the Hawks, including a 90-76 victory in Philadelphia on Jan. 20.
- Philadelphia 76ers @ Atlanta Hawks
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, February 4, 2012
Where: Philips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, SportSouth
The Hawks have opened as 4-point favorites on SBG Global Sportsbook’s Live NBA Basketball Odds.
Philadelphia 76ers (16-7): The 76ers have the best bench in the NBA, producing almost 43 points per game this season. While the reserves are more than capable of carrying the team, they shouldn’t have to. In the loss to Miami on Friday, Philadelphia’s starting five was outscored 45-34 by the bench. Thaddeus Young and Louis Williams led the charge with 29 of those points off the pine. Williams is the only bench player in the NBA leading his team in scoring, averaging 15.2 points per game.
Atlanta Hawks (16-7): The injury to Collins may not impact fantasy basketball rosters, but Atlanta is terribly thin inside without the 7-footer. Collins left Thursday’s game with a sprained right elbow and is expected to miss Saturday’s contest. The Hawks were hoping to bolster their frontcourt with the addition of power forward Kenyon Martin, however, he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers Friday night. Zaza Pachulia, at 6-foot-11, is the team’s only true center.
1. The Sixers are one of only three teams to have not suffered consecutive losses this season. The Bulls and Pacers are the other two.
2. Erick Dampier, Kyrylo Fesenko, Dan Gadzuric, Joel Przybilla, and D.J. Mbenga are among the free-agent centers the Hawks are rumored to be courting.
3. The 76ers lead the all-time series with the Hawks, 183-171. However, the Hawks lead 100-95 since moving from St. Louis to Atlanta in 1968.
NBA BASKETBALL PREDICTION: Hawks 103, 76ers 97
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al horford - atlanta hawks - dan gadzuric - erick dampier - jason collins - kenyon martin - larry drew - louis williams - philadelphia 76ers - philips arena
