Can Hawks stop Heat win streak?
by Adi Joseph, USA TODAY Sports
A quick look at the eight-game NBA schedule for Tuesday, March 12 (all times p.m. Eastern):
MUST-WATCH: Atlanta Hawks (34-28) at Miami Heat (47-14), 7:30, NBATV
Five reasons the Hawks can end the Heat’s 18-game winning streak:
1. They have lost six in a row to Miami, so they will be motivated.
2. Josh Smith and Al Horford are similar (albeit lesser) players to LeBron James and Chris Bosh, so the matchups are OK.
3. The Heat have lost three times at home, so there’s a chance they do it again.
4. We can’t keep making this list because our reasons aren’t reasons. Miami has owned Atlanta since James arrived, going 9-2 in their meetings. The only way the Heat lose is if they exhale too deeply after knocking off the Indiana Pacers. Still, it’s sure to be compelling basketball, and the Hawks could use the win to avoid playing the Heat in the first round of the playoffs. And besides, you chose this game.
Los Angeles Lakers (33-31) at Orlando Magic (18-46), 7
Dwight Howard is returning to his old stomping grounds for the first time. You may have read something about that.
Boston Celtics (34-28) at Charlotte Bobcats (13-50), 7
The Bobcats probably should try to get another win before owner Michael Jordan gets married, as a wedding present. And the Celtics have the worst road record of any current Eastern Conference playoff team at 12-19.
Washington Wizards (20-41) at Cleveland Cavaliers (21-42), 7
Thanks to injuries to both, Kyrie Irving and John Wall have only really faced off once, with Wall coming out on top March 3, 2012. This won’t be the second meeting of the 2010 and 2011 No. 1 overall draft picks.
New Orleans Hornets (22-42) at Brooklyn Nets (37-27), 7:30
Nets All-Star Brook Lopez is a better player than his twin, Robin Lopez. But the lesser-known brother, who starts at center for the Hornets, has a 4-2 advantage in head-to-head meetings.
Dallas Mavericks (29-33) at Milwaukee Bucks (32-29), 8
If these teams could switch conferences, the Mavericks likely would have the above-.500 record and the clear path to a … [For more on Tonight's NBA schedule: Can Hawks stop Heat win streak?, click here.]
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