The Hawks lost their second consecutive home game Saturday night, falling to the Philadelphia 76ers 98-87 at Philips Arena.
The loss punctuated a horrendous three-day stretch for the Hawks, who lost badly to Memphis on Thursday night, came up short in their quest for Kenyon Martin on Friday and Saturday, and found out they would be without defensive specialist Jason Collins for at least two weeks, almost to the All-Star Break. Collins suffered a sprained left elbow against Memphis.
(You have no idea how badly I want to make jokes about Theo Ratliff's famed expiring contract.)
The Hawks were vulnerable in the middle all night, as Spencer Hawes and Nikola Vucevic combined to make 14 of 21 shots attempted. Andre Igoudala, despite a poor offensive showing (3-15 shooting) managed to hold Joe Johnson in check as the rest of the Sixers frustrated Josh Smith all night long. The Hawks were never able to cut the lead below ten points after the second quarter.
Hawes had missed the past couple of games with an Achilles' injury, but returned to provide relief for the Sixers. The game was the fourth in a six-day stretch for Philly.
Philadelphia had four bench players (Vucevic, Evan Turner, Lou Williams, and Thaddeus Young) score in double-figures, along with Hawes and guard Jodie Meeks. The Hawks, aside from Ivan Johnson (14 pts, 13 boards) couldn't get anything going all night and committed 15 turnovers which led to 18 fast-break points for the Sixers.
The Hawks fell to 16-8, as the loss marked their fourth straight to Philadelphia. With all the momentum gone from their 4-1 road trip, the Hawks have been passed by Philly and Indiana to fall to fifth in the Eastern Conference.
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