(Sports Network) - The Atlanta Hawks will try to bounce back tonight versus
the Philadelphia 76ers in the continuation of a four-game homestand.
Atlanta had won three straight and nine of 11 games until dropping a 96-77
decision to the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday. Josh Smith led the Hawks with
11 points and both Joe Johnson and Ivan Johnson added 10 points in defeat.
"We've got to put up a little bit better fight than what we did in the paint"
Smith said of his Hawks being beat 58-38 inside. "Hopefully everyone will
learn from this game and correct it later on and just find a way not to have
any let downs like that anymore."
Hawks forward Jason Collins left the game in the first quarter with a sprained
left elbow and did not return. He is expected to miss Saturday's game. The
Hawks, who were coming off a 4-1 road trip that left them tied with Miami for
the Southeast Division lead, had their six-game home winning streak stopped
and fell to 8-2 as the host this season.
The Hawks will also welcome the Suns and Pacers to Philips Arena, and now sit
one game behind Miami for division supremacy.
Philadelphia is coming off Friday night's 99-79 loss to the Heat and completed
a seven-game homestand with a 5-2 record. It had a four-game winning streak
come to an end thanks to a poor fourth quarter versus Miami, as the Sixers
were outscored by a 32-16 difference in the decisive period.
Thaddeus Young led five players in double-figure scoring with 16 points off
the bench, while Jodie Meeks and Lou Williams netted 13 apiece for
Philadelphia, which is still a dominant 12-3 as the host this season and made
39.5 percent of its shots. Jrue Holiday and Andre Iguodala scored 11 and 10
points, respectively, in defeat.
"Those guys cranked it up a little on us and forced us into taking a few bad
shots, but we did just go cold," Young said about the fourth quarter. "We have
to find a way to make shots and we couldn't do it tonight."
The 76ers hope to improve on their 4-4 road ledger tonight. They defeated
Atlanta, 90-76, on Jan. 20 at Wells Fargo Center behind a game-best 20 points
from Young. Holiday added 16 points and 11 assists, while Elton Brand had 10
points with 16 rebounds for Philadelphia, which has won three straight against
Atlanta.
Philadelphia has lost three of its last five visits to Philips Arena.
The Sports Network