Late game execution was bad and should definitely be discussed……wiith Gilbert Arenas out, the Wizards simply do not have a ball-handling scorer who creates for others with action/penetration. However, in …

Horford held out with sprained right ankle (AP)
Hawks center Al Horford was held out of Wednesday night’s game against the Washington Wizards with a sprained right ankle. The decision was made after Horford tested the ankle in pregame warmups. “If I can’t go at the level I try to play every night, I won’t go because I won’t be helping the team,” Horford said.

Without Yao, Rockets fall meekly to Terry, Mavs
NBA/~4/459140544″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Hawks F Horford to miss game against Wizards (PA SportsTicker)
Atlanta Hawks forward Al Horford will miss Wednesday’s game against the Washington Wizards after spraining his right ankle in Tuesday’s contest at Indiana.

Arenas: Last could be ‘for the better’ for Wizards
Gilbert Arenas is already thinking about the possibility of a last-place finish for his Washington Wizards - and finding the silver lining. With Arenas still working his way back from a third knee operation in 1 1/2 years, the Wizards are off to a 1-8 start heading into their game Friday against the Houston Rockets.NBA/~4/460079494″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Wade’s 40-11-5 night wasted as Raptors win
NBA/~4/459197933″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Pistons are less physical, but more slick
The Bad Boys are long gone. These Pistons have their own personality with Allen Iverson — and it ain’t bad, Charley Rosen says.NBA/~4/459184172″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

A vote of confidence for the Hawks

Having spent nearly a quarter-century doubting the Hawks, erring on the side of optimism demands a considerable effort.

Nets no match in LeBron derby, either
Nets fans who watched LeBron James torch their team Tuesday shouldn’t count on landing him in 2010, Jay Greenberg says.NBA/~4/458944353″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

NBA Power Poll: Ranking teams, sizing up rookies (SportingNews.com)
After Anthony Morrow put up 37 points in his first start for the Warriors, it only seemed right to take a closer look at the rookies in this week’s Power Poll.

Hawks Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The Hawks‘ bad luck would be funny if it wasn’t so unbelievably

sinister these days.

Two weeks after losing starting power forward Josh Smith to a high

ankle sprain that will keep him out of action for anywhere from two

weeks to a month, the Hawks lost starting center Al Horford to a right

ankle sprain in a loss to Indiana Tuesday night at Conseco Fieldhouse.

The Hawks probably thought they’d already dealt with their big

injury blow of this early season Smith went.

But watching Horford limp off the floor with 5:12 to play in the

first quarter Tuesday had to be a cruel blow for Hawks coach Mike

Woodson, who was piecing lineups together with repeated injuries to

his big men the past two…

Celtics, others may be interested in Marbury
NBA Player’s Association attorney Hal Biagas is expected to resume Stephon Marbury buyout talks with Knicks president Donnie Walsh Wednesday or Thursday, with a possibility of a formal proposal coming by week’s end, according to a person familiar with the situation.NBA/~4/457716707″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Clippers have problems all over
What’s wrong with the Clippers? Where do you want to start? Charley Rosen takes aim at a truly dysfunctional team.NBA/~4/457241045″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

NBA Power Poll: Ranking teams, sizing up rookies (SportingNews.com)
After Anthony Morrow put up 37 points in his first start for the Warriors, it only seemed right to take a closer look at the rookies in this week’s Power Poll.

Cavs make it 8 straight; LeBron reaches 11,000
NBA/~4/457937191″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Harris remains hot as Nets sweep Hawks

New Jersey Nets guard Keyon Dooling shoots over Atlanta Hawks guard Ronald Murray during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday Nov.

MVP watch: Kahn’s Top 10 so far
Is Paul Pierce the best player in the world? No. But he just might be the MVP. Mike Kahn lists his Top 10 early candidates.NBA/~4/456267550″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Suns hammer Pistons without Shaq
NBA/~4/455533688″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

NETS 119, HAWKS 107: Defensive swagger missing again

That stifling pressure defense that drove the Hawks to a 6-0 start this season got lost somewhere between Chicago and Boston during last week’s road trip.

Hawks fans finally have a contender to cheer

The modern-day Atlanta Hawks fan has a stash of foul memories big enough to fill The Omni.

Hawks Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Josh Smith is back on his feet after spending a week on crutches, the result of a left high ankle sprain he suffered in a Nov. 7 win over Toronto.

Smith is wearing a walking boot and is eager to get back on the floor with his teammates after missing last week’s four-game road trip and Saturday’s game against New Jersey at Philips Arena.

“Watching those games on (television) was agonizing,” Smith said. “We played great and handled our business on the trip. We should have beaten Boston and New Jersey, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. The worst part, though, is having to watch.”

Smith is officially listed as day-to-day. Although there’s no clear-cut timetable for his return to the court, both he and Hawks coach Mike Woodson said the two to four weeks they expected…

Wade outguns Bosh but Raptors get last laugh
NBA/~4/455478534″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Dirk goes wild as Mavs end 5-game skid in OT
NBA/~4/455478533″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Atlanta Hawk’s Al Horford Shines Brighter…Bulls

Prior to game time Tuesday, Chicago Bull’s rookie Derrick Rose felt stiffness in his back but he was determined to play through it, and that he did! Rose tied his career high scoring withh 26 points in a …

NBA Today (AP)

Shaq thrown out for flagrant foul
Shaquille O’Neal was ejected from Sunday night’s game between the Phoenix Suns and Detroit Pistons for a flagrant foul. The call came with 5:19 left in the second quarter when Rodney Stuckey went up for a layup and O’Neal sent the Pistons‘ player chest-first onto the court. The flagrant foul two, which is an automatic ejection, was upheld after a review by the officials. O’Neal stayed on the court to argue vehemently before finally leaving.NBA/~4/455533689″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Devin Harris’ confidence is soaring, just like his scoring. Harris scored 33 points, Vince Carter had 29 and the New Jersey Nets beat the Atlanta Hawks 119-107 on Saturday night, completing a sweep of the two-day, home-and-home series. The Nets lost three straight while Harris was out with a sprained left ankle.

Atlanta’s Mike Bibby doesn’t regret calling out Celtics fans

Atlanta guard Mike Bibby called Boston fans “bandwagon fans” when the two teams met in the opening round of the playoffs last season, prompting Boston center Kendrick Perkins to say, “Coming off a 2-for-10 …

Hawks Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Josh Smith is back on his feet after spending a week on crutches, the result of a left high ankle sprain he suffered in a Nov. 7 win over Toronto.

Smith is wearing a walking boot and is eager to get back on the floor with his teammates after missing last week’s four-game road trip and Saturday’s game against New Jersey at Philips Arena.

“Watching those games on (television) was agonizing,” Smith said. “We played great and handled our business on the trip. We should have beaten Boston and New Jersey, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. The worst part, though, is having to watch.”

Smith is officially listed as day-to-day. Although there’s no clear-cut timetable for his return to the court, both he and Hawks coach Mike Woodson said the two to four weeks they expected…

New Jersey Nets vs. Atlanta Hawks

Hawks forward Solomon Jones is fouled on a rebound by Nets center Brook Lopez as Nets forward Yi Jianlian also goes up during the first half at Philips Arena.

Cover 2 : Hotlanta Hawks and other NBA surprises

Okay, who are you and what have you done with the real Atlanta Hawks? I don’t know if you noticed, but the Hawks are one of two unbeaten teams in the NBA right now.

Shoals Unlimited: These Teams Are For Real

Last year, no one would believe that the Hornets — near the top of the West pretty much all season — were for real.

Hawks Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Solomon Jones has been everything his teammates and coaches hoped he would be in the first extended action of his pro career.

Josh Smith’s high ankle sprain opened the door for Jones and he’s crashed through with 5.2 rebounds, 2.8 points and 1.2 blocks in a little over 17 minutes per game. He’s already had games with 10 and nine rebounds and a three-block effort off the bench, a huge boost for a team whose frontcourt rotation was severely damaged with the loss of Smith.

“I’m not surprised at all,” Hawks captain Joe Johnson said. “In this league whenever you get a chance, regardless of the situation, you have to take advantage of it. He’s been working hard. And he deserves it.

Harris scores 30 points, Nets beat Hawks

Devin Harris, back in the lineup after missing three games because of a sprained left ankle, scored 30 points to lead the New Jersey Nets to a 115-108 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.

No Hawks heroics this time

The Hawks bravely bowed out of the FA Cup after a 3-1 first-round defeat to Brentford.

Report: Knicks, Marbury discuss breakup details
Exiled Stephon Marbury was summoned Thursday morning to a 45-minute meeting with Knicks president Donnie Walsh at the team’s Westchester headquarters, and the sides held preliminary discussions about a buyout, two sources told The New York Post.NBA/~4/453014220″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Harris scores 30 points, Nets beat Hawks (AP)

Devin Harris has become the indispensable player for the New Jersey Nets. Back in the lineup after missing three games because of a sprained left ankle, Harris scored 30 points to lead the New Jersey Nets to a 115-108 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night. The Nets also got career-best nights from rookies Brook Lopez (25 points), and Ryan Anderson (15).

Quietly dominant, Howard will make noise
Dwight Howard might be mild-mannered, but the young Magic center is poised to break into superstardom, Mike Kahn says.NBA/~4/453175231″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Overconfidence could be costly for Celtics
The Celtics keep coming out flat, then turning it on. In the long run, that’s no way to win another championship, Charley Rosen says.NBA/~4/453175232″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Court Awareness: Thursday review
After watching another LeBron vs. Carmelo showdown, Matthew Petersen says it’s time to quit comparing the two.NBA/~4/453222369″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Don’t be fooled, Jazz still hitting high notes
Don’t be fooled. Under bandleader Jerry Sloan, the Jazz are still hitting all the high notes — just like they always do, Mike Kahn says.NBA/~4/450898184″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

NBA fines Theus $25K for ‘ridiculous’ comment
The NBA has fined Sacramento Kings coach Reggie Theus $25,000 for comments he made about the officiating following a loss to Detroit. The league also penalized the Kings $25,000 Thursday for Theus’ actions. Theus said it was “ridiculous” that the Pistons took 36 fouls shots to just 17 for the Kings in Detroit’s 100-92 victory in Sacramento on Tuesday.NBA/~4/452181681″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Bulls ink veteran guard Hunter
The injury-depleted Chicago Bulls signed veteran point guard Lindsey Hunter, who is expected to join the team for the game Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks. With a Bulls‘ backcourt thinned by injuries, the 37-year-old Hunter brings 15 years of experience to the team. He played 24 games for Detroit last season. Guard Kirk Hinrich could be out for three months after thumb surgery, and Larry Hughes hasn’t played this season because of a preseason shoulder injury.NBA/~4/452114398″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

NBA Today (AP)

Hawks-Nets Preview

Although they’re coming off their first loss, the Atlanta Hawks might be as confident as they’ve been all season.

Hawks Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

It’s not quite as catchy as “Joe the Plumber,” but Hawks coach Mike Woodson envisions a role as a creator for Hawks All-Star Joe Johnson to add to his list of responsibilities.

With teams as geared up as ever to stop him on the offensive end, as evidenced by the relentless pressure both Oklahoma City and Chicago put on him in games earlier this week, Woodson said Johnson has to continue to find his open teammates. It worked to perfection against the Bulls, with Johnson piling up a season-high eight assists on a night that saw him make just four of his 16 shots from the floor.

It worked against Boston, too, as Johnson found Marvin Williams for a go-ahead three-pointer with 7.4 seconds to play.

“That’s going to happen,” said Woodson, whose team has to regroup from…

Lakers 7-0, Pierce keeps Hawks from joining them (AP)
The Los Angeles Lakers had a surprisingly easy time staying undefeated. Only a “Super” effort kept the Atlanta Hawks from joining them. Paul Pierce made a jumper with 0.5 seconds left to give the Boston Celtics a 103-102 victory over Atlanta on Wednesday night, handing the Hawks their first loss of the season.

No Hawks heroics this time

The Hawks bravely bowed out of the FA Cup after a 3-1 first-round defeat to Brentford.

TBJ Ep. 340: Hawks, coach pink slips, Brad Miller and more (Yahoo! Sports)
As most of you know, I co-host a daily NBA podcast at The Basketball Jones . This season, for reasons unknown,…

Celtics rally, send Hawks to first loss of season (AP)

The Atlanta Hawks have improved since losing to the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs last spring. Too bad for them that the defending champions haven’t changed much at all. NBA finals MVP Paul Pierce hit a fallaway jumper with 0.5 seconds left to give Boston a 103-102 victory over Atlanta on Wednesday night, handing the Hawks their first loss of the season and their first since the…

Daily Dime: Signature shot

Chris Graythen/Getty Images Andrew Bynum’s play in the paint is a reason the Lakers are 7-0 for the first time since 2001-02. Ned Dishman/Getty Images After opening the season with five consecutive losses, …

Lakers and surprising Hawks remain unbeaten

It’s no surprise Kobe Bryant has the Los Angeles Lakers off to a fast start. But few would have expected the Atlanta Hawks to still be unbeaten two weeks into the season.

Bryant scored 27 points and the Lakers improved to 6-0 _ their best start since opening 7-0 in 2001-02 _ with a 106-99 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night.

Atlanta beat the Chicago Bulls 113-108 to also improve to 6-0, the Hawks‘ best start since they won their first 11 games in 1997-98.

‘No one expected it but us,’ said Mike Bibby, who scored 22 points, including a few key 3-pointers to stave off the Bulls. ‘The only people who can stop us is ourselves.’

Lakers and surprising Hawks remain unbeaten (AP)
It’s no surprise Kobe Bryant has the Los Angeles Lakers off to a fast start. But few would have expected the Atlanta Hawks to still be unbeaten two weeks into the season. Bryant scored 27 points and the Lakers improved to 6-0 — their best start since opening 7-0 in 2001-02 — with a 106-99 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night.

Hawks and Lakers still unbeaten…Ball State wins again…Pens turn…

Hawks and Lakers still unbeaten…Ball State wins again…Pens turn the tables UNDATED Atlanta’s Al Horford had a career-high 27 points and 17 rebounds as the surprising Hawks improved to 6-and-0 with a 113-108 …

Hawks Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

It’s not quite as catchy as “Joe the Plumber,” but Hawks coach Mike Woodson envisions a role as a creator for Hawks All-Star Joe Johnson to add to his list of responsibilities.

With teams as geared up as ever to stop him on the offensive end, as evidenced by the relentless pressure both Oklahoma City and Chicago put on him in games earlier this week, Woodson said Johnson has to continue to find his open teammates. It worked to perfection against the Bulls, with Johnson piling up a season-high eight assists on a night that saw him make just four of his 16 shots from the floor.

It worked against Boston, too, as Johnson found Marvin Williams for a go-ahead three-pointer with 7.4 seconds to play.

“That’s going to happen,” said Woodson, whose team has to regroup from…

Horford leads unbeaten Hawks (AP)

Al Horford was everywhere. Grabbing rebounds, running the floor, picking up loose balls and scoring from the inside. It was the best performance of his career, an effort that kept the Atlanta Hawks unbeaten through six games. On a night when leading scorer Joe Johnson had trouble with his shot, Horford scored a career-high 27 points, grabbed 17 rebounds and blocked six shots to lead a 113-108…

Hawks Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Hawks coach Mike Woodson’s preoccupation with the Boston Celtics might not strike some people as healthy.

But Woodson’s motives are pure.

He insists he’s only trying to watch and learn from the current kings of the court.

“I just think about how they were able to get it done from beginning to end,” Woodson said. “They had three guys and still have those three guys in Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, those three great players, that carried them.

“But make no mistake about it, their defense is what won that title. They refused to give in from a defensive standpoint, and I’m talking about every single step of the way. People that don’t understand that aren’t really examining that team and what they did the way they should.”

That’s why Woodson…

Lakers and surprising Hawks remain unbeaten (AP)
It’s no surprise Kobe Bryant has the Los Angeles Lakers off to a fast start. But few would have expected the Atlanta Hawks to still be unbeaten two weeks into the season. Bryant scored 27 points and the Lakers improved to 6-0 — their best start since opening 7-0 in 2001-02 — with a 106-99 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night.

Hawks swoop into Windy City

The surprising Atlanta Hawks will try to remain unbeaten Tuesday and snap a seven-game skid in the Second City as they continue a four- game road swing in Chicago against the Bulls.

NBA Roundup: James drops 41 to lead Cleveland over Milwaukee

LeBron James matched a season high with 41 points, finally putting Milwaukee away with a steal and soaring dunk in the final minutes, and Mo Williams scored 16 against his former team as the Cleveland Cavaliers …