FanHouse

You read that headline correctly. The same Atlanta Hawks that were down by as many as 40 to the Lakers the other night went into San Antonio and held the defending champs to just five first quarter points, which was (obviously) a franchise low for the Spurs. Somehow though that wasn't enough for the Hawks to actually win the game, as the Spurs ended up beating them 89-74.

There are a couple of reasons that the Hawks lost this game, despite the historically poor shooting early from the Spurs. Even though San Antonio only managed the five first quarter points, the Hawks themselves were only able to get 16. That's not exactly a commanding lead, on the road, against a team you're not supposed to beat, that you just embarrassed in their home building. By halftime the Spurs had cut the lead to seven, and in the third they outscored Atlanta 27-11, repaying the first quarter favor and taking an eight-point lead into the fourth.

It only got worse from there for the Hawks, and while we're here, let's talk about that big trade that supposedly was going to push Atlanta into the playoffs. I'm talking about Mike Bibby, who has been less than stellar in his first few games in Atlanta. Tonight was no exception, as Bibby ended up shooting 1-11 from the field with just five assists. Not exactly the help you're looking for from your new point guard, is it? The Hawks are just 1-4 since getting Bibby, who, so far, has been no better than Tyronne Lue ... and if that's not an insult, I don't know what is.