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Bobcats at Hawks
7:30 p.m., Philips Arena, Atlanta
TV: SportSouth. Radio: WFNZ-AM 610
Projected Starters
| Bobcats | Hawks | ||||
| Pos, Player | ppg | rpg | Pos, Player | ppg | rpg |
| G, K. Walker | 17.7 | 3.4 | G, J. Teague | 13.5 | 2.4 |
| G, J. Taylor | 7.8 | 2.4 | G, D. Harris | 7.3 | 1.8 |
| F, M. Kidd-Gilchrist | 11 | 6.3 | F, J. Smith | 17.3 | 8.1 |
| F, B. Mullens | 11.9 | 7.7 | F, D. Stevenson | 7.6 | 2.9 |
| C, D. Diop | 0.5 | 2.5 | C, A. Horford | 16.8 | 10.2 |
*Through Tuesday
Matchup to Watch
Josh Smith vs. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: Smith’s combination of size, power and quickness make him a tough cover any night. Rookie Kidd-Gilchrist has the physical tools to defend Smith best among Bobcats, so long as he avoids foul trouble.
Observations.
• The Bobcats have had a turnover problem lately and the Hawks devour giveaways – they are third in the NBA at points-off-turnovers at 19.5 per game.
• The Hawks’ big offseason acquisition was guard Lou Williams, a scorer who gave the Bobcats all sorts of problems as a part of the Philadelphia 76ers.
• Charlottean Anthony Morrow is now with the Hawks, adding outside shooting and one of the game’s best shot fakes.
Tap-ins
• The Bobcats have lost six straight to the Hawks, including two defeats this season.
• The Hawks are now run by former Duke star Danny Ferry, who dealt away Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams during the offseason.
• The Hawks spend a lot of time playing a bigger lineup, moving Al Horford to power forward and adding center Zaza Pachulia
Did you know?
At just 27 years old, Smith has piled up the blocks – he is 13th among active NBA players in career rejections.
Rick Bonnell
