<div align="center"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#ff0000"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#000000">Teams:</span> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#ff0000"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">Hawks </span><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">vs. </span><span style="color:#008000"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">Sonics</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#ff0000"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="color:#008000"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%"> <span style="color:#000000">Where: </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#ff0000"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="color:#008000"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#000000">Key Arena, Seattle, WA</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#ff0000"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="color:#008000"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%"> <span style="color:#000000">When: </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#ff0000"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="color:#008000"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#000000">10:00 pm, ET </span></span></span></span></span></span>SportSouth FSN NW HD vs. <span style="color:#ff0000">Hawks (17-21)</span> <span style="color:#008000">Sonics (9-33</span><span style="color:#008000">)</span> <div align='left'> <u>NBA Preview </u> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Atlanta (17-21), meanwhile, has lost four straight games despite reaching the 100-point mark in each of its last two. The Hawks had won three of four before their slump. Josh Smith's first career triple-double wasn't enough to help Atlanta avoid a loss in its last game, a 107-100 defeat at Houston on Wednesday night. That was the Hawks' sixth straight road loss since beating Washington 97-92 on Dec. 21. Atlanta is 5-12 on the road, averaging 88.1 points. But Smith helped the Hawks reach 100 points on the road for the first time this season Wednesday, finishing with 22 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. The fourth-year forward is averaging 21.0 points, 12.6 rebounds and 7.6 assists in his last three games. He missed November's matchup with Seattle due to a strained left quadriceps. Joe Johnson had 39 points to lead the Hawks in that game, and is averaging 33.7 in his last three versus the Sonics. Atlanta's Anthony Johnson added 12 points against the Rockets in his return to the lineup after serving a one-game suspension for a flagrant foul on Toronto's Jose Calderon last week. The Hawks' bench, meanwhile, will get a boost Friday with center Zaza Pachulia set to play after a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.</div> <u>Starting Line-ups </u><span style="color:#ff0000">Hawks </span> <span style="color:#ff0000">A. Johnson J. Johnson M. Williams J. Smith A. Horford <span style="color:#008000"> Sonics </span></span> <span style="color:#008000">E. Watson K. Durant J. Green N. Collison K. Thomas <span style="color:#000000"> <u>Prediction </u> This is a game the Hawks must win. With some bad loses in the last few games, and Gasol rumors being spread through the organization, the Hawks need to set their sites on a horrible Sonics team. Guys like Smith, Johnson and Horford need to step up and shut down rookie sensation Durant before he gets his shot going. I doubt we will see some late game heroics from Durant, but just in case, let Smith guard him the last few minutes if the game is close. Final Score:<span style="color:#ff0000"> 102-<span style="color:#008000">98</span> Hawks </span> </span></span></div> </div>
If you're looking to make it the playoffs then beating weaker teams like this is a must. Sure the Hawks are in the East, but winning games will bring confidence to a young team.
Great win for the Hawks. It was a bit closer then I liked, but we we're still able to pull it off. Quite games from Johnson and Smith who only had 13 and 14 respectively. However, the play of Marvin and Horford was incredible. They both just took over and did what they wanted against the Seattle front court. Horford was just eating up boards, with 16 rebounds and 14 points. Marvin just couldn't miss in the 4th. He stepped up and he played like the player I know he can be, finishing with 33 points and 7 rebounds.
