Atlanta has lost eight of 11 and is 7-14 since Feb. 8, 4-8 since March 1 but needs one victory to secure a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. To say the Hawks are inconsistent doesn't tell the half of it. Atlanta has lost three of four at home and been outscored by an average of 23.0 points in those defeats. The Hawks have averaged only 89.3 points their last four games at Philips.
To make matter worse, Joe Johnson, the $120 million man, is having his worst year in his first year of a six year deal: He's averaging 18.6 ppg, the lowest in his six-year career in Atlanta. He's averaged 12.8 over the last five.
The Nets, on the other hand, have to be exhausted, particularly in their stretched backcourt. Jordan Farmar, who admitted to being beat after playing 41 minutes vs. the Cavaliers, played another 41 vs. the Magic. Still, he put up his third double-double in the last four, averaging 12.5 points and 11.8 assists in that stretch. There's no relief in sight Saturday, with Ben Uzoh his only real back-up at the point.
- New Jersey Nets Game Notes - New Jersey Nets
- Atlanta Hawks Game Notes - Atlanta Hawks
- Getting Inside - New Jersey Nets - Sports Xchange
- Getting Inside - Atlanta Hawks - Sports Xchange
- Nets-Hawks Preview - Stats LLC
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Atlanta Hawks: What happened to Joe’s mojo? - Michael Cunningham - Atlanta Journal-Constitution