Detroit Pistons vs Atlanta Hawks
2:00 PM ET, March 20, 2011
Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA
The Atlanta Hawks are all but assured of a playoff spot. Their recent effort, though, hardly resembles that of a postseason-caliber club.
The Hawks will try to avoid a seventh loss in nine games as they close their season series with the visiting Detroit Pistons on Sunday.
Atlanta (39-30) sits comfortably in fifth place in the East and is likely to make a fourth consecutive playoff appearance thanks to winning 33 of its first 51 games.
Since Feb. 8, though, the Hawks have lost 12 of 18 while averaging 89.3 points -- a league low over that span.
Coach Larry Drew's team has been blown out at home in its last two games -- against Denver and Miami -- and was held below 90 points in both, falling to 2-16 when that happens. The Hawks have shot 42.9 percent from the field in those two defeats and 8 of 31 from 3-point range (25.8 percent).
"We just took some ill-advised jump shots once again," Drew said after Friday's 106-85 loss to the Heat. "We've talked about it before the game, we talked about it at halftime. This is a team that has to be a little bit more selective particularly when they're not making shots.
The Hawks will try to avoid a seventh loss in nine games as they close their season series with the visiting Detroit Pistons on Sunday.
Atlanta (39-30) sits comfortably in fifth place in the East and is likely to make a fourth consecutive playoff appearance thanks to winning 33 of its first 51 games.
Since Feb. 8, though, the Hawks have lost 12 of 18 while averaging 89.3 points -- a league low over that span.
Coach Larry Drew's team has been blown out at home in its last two games -- against Denver and Miami -- and was held below 90 points in both, falling to 2-16 when that happens. The Hawks have shot 42.9 percent from the field in those two defeats and 8 of 31 from 3-point range (25.8 percent).
"We just took some ill-advised jump shots once again," Drew said after Friday's 106-85 loss to the Heat. "We've talked about it before the game, we talked about it at halftime. This is a team that has to be a little bit more selective particularly when they're not making shots.
Watch Detroit Pistons vs Atlanta Hawks Live Online Stream Free March 20, 2011
