Wednesday, February 04, 2009

February 4th Open Thread: Atlanta (27-20) at Minnesota (17-30)

TIP-OFF: 8pm

TELEVISION: SportSouth

RADIO: Hawks Radio Network, Audio League Pass

GAME NOTES: Hawks/Timberwolves

ATLANTA INJURY REPORT: Joe Johnson and Thomas Gardner are out.

MINNESOTA INJURY REPORT: Corey Brewer and Kevin Ollie are out. Craig Smith (bruised ribs) left last night's game in the 1st quarter, did not return, and is questionable for tonight's game.

FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY: Minnesota -2, 199.5 o/u

OTHER PERSPECTIVES: Secrets of the City, Canis Hoopus, TWolvesBlog

PREVIOUSLY, THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES...won 116-111 in Indiana last night (Gomes Time!) to move to 11-5 in calendar year 2009. Kevin McHale is 13-15 since taking over head coaching responsibilities. Coupled with his 19-12 record as interim coach in 2005, the possibility exists that McHale is one of only three head coaches (Flip Saunders and Dwane Casey being the others) to achieve any sort of success helming the Timberwolves and the only successful Minnesota head coach not to be fired for no good reason by General Manager Kevin McHale.

Even with Al Horford expected to return tonight, the Hawks figure to run a rebounding deficit. Kevin Love leads the league in offensive rebounding rate, Al Jefferson is his typically excellent rebounding self, and Mike Miller has turned into an outstanding defensive rebounder over the second half of his NBA career.

Consider this an open thread for all pre-game, in-game, and post-game (but pre-recap) thoughts.

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