With Josh Smith stepping up his game, the Hawks might not need their All Star C Al Horford back in time to encounter the 76ers. Smith has and excellent effort last time out.
The Hawks attempt for their fifteenth win in seventeen home court matchups when they have the 76ers on Tuesday evening.
Following hitting the court on a hard flagrant foul having 0.6 seconds left Friday, Al Horford made 2 from the stripe to provide the Hawks ( 33 - 18 ) a 101 - 100 win against the Clippers.
Horford, who endured a bruised back on the play, rested on the sidelines Saturday's matchup at the Verizon Center vs. the Wizards. He, along with fellow Hawk Smith who has a knee injury & All-Star Joe Johnson who is getting some rest to become 100% both skipped workouts Monday. Smith & Johnson are probably to be active Tuesday, however Horford's standing is not clear.
With Horford out on the bench, Smith went 11 of 19 from the floor on their way to twenty-nine points & additionally posted a best for the year sixteen boards to direct the Hawks against Washington 99 - 92.
While Horford is putting in 17.5 points & 12.5 boards in 2 victories against the 76ers this year, Smith has been restricted to a total of twenty-one points on 30.8 % from the floor against the Sixers.
Johnson, who put in 21 Saturday, skipped the Hawks' 93 - 88 victory against the 76ers on December 3rd because of an elbow injury however is putting in 27.5 points during his previous 4 home court matchups versus them.
Philadelphia ( 23 - 27 ) had picked up 6 of 7 overall prior to dropping 117 - 103 at Madison Square Garden vs. the Knicks on Sunday.
The 76ers fell to 1 - 16 when permitting more than the century mark. They might have issue reducing the pace against a Hawks club that has put in a minimum of 100 points in 7 of 8 home court matchups.
Brand believes the team is in a groove and this is the reason why for Philadelphia's current success.
Sixers F Andre Iguodala is putting in 14.5 Points per game, his lowest since putting in 12.3 in 2005 - 2006. He had a best for the year twenty-seven points & 10 dishes during a 104 - 101 defeat to Atlanta on October 29th, & is putting in 20.7 points during his previous eleven contests within the series.
Philadelphia has dropped 4 of their previous 5 matchups with the Hawks.