• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Hawks-Grizzlies Preview

Feb 8, 2010 - 7:50 PM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Atlanta (32-17) at Memphis (26-24), 8:00 p.m. EDT

Their playoff seeding already decided, the Atlanta Hawks didn't have much to play for in their last game in Memphis. In close pursuit of the division lead, it's a much different scenario in this season's visit to FedEx Forum.

Atlanta looks to avoid its fourth straight road loss Tuesday night when it faces a struggling Grizzlies team trying to end the first half of the season on a positive note.

With the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs clinched, starters Joe Johnson, Mike Bibby, Al Horford and Marvin Williams did not play as Atlanta's five-game winning streak over the Grizzlies was snapped with a 98-90 loss in Memphis in the April 15 regular-season finale. But with an opportunity of overtaking two-time defending Southeast Division-champion Orlando and securing their first division crown in 16 years, the Hawks (32-17) won't be resting anyone in this matchup.

Atlanta, though, received some unexpected time off Saturday when its game in Washington was postponed due to the blizzard that blanketed the region. No makeup date for that game has been determined.

Trying to end a three-game losing streak, the Hawks will look to Josh Smith for continued production on both ends of the floor. The sixth-year forward was not selected along with Johnson and Horford as an All-Star reserve for Sunday's game in Dallas, but Hawks coach Mike Woodson understands Smith's value to his team.

"Josh has probably been our MVP," Woodson said after Smith posted a triple-double with 18 points, 14 boards and 10 assists in Friday's 91-81 victory over Chicago. "I just wish he would've made that All-Star team because he has played like an All-Star this year for us."

Prior to scoring seven points in 10 minutes of the April 15 victory, Smith averaged 22.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.7 blocks in his previous three games in Memphis.

While Atlanta looks to keep pressure on Orlando, the Grizzlies (26-24) are trying to make a run at their first playoff appearance in four seasons. Memphis, though, has lost three straight and five of six following a 15-4 stretch from Dec. 18-Jan. 27.

"We're going through a little adversity right now," Mike Conley told the Grizzlies' official Web site following Saturday's 109-102 loss at Western Conference-worst Minnesota. "Similar to what we had earlier in the season (Memphis opened the season 1-8) but on a smaller scale. We just have to learn how to fight through this. We're going to get a win and we just have to keep on fighting and keep on working."

Currently 2 1/2 games out of the final playoff spot in the West, the Grizzlies will likely need All-Star forward Zach Randolph to continue at his current pace if they're going to make a postseason appearance. Randolph, who is averaging 20.5 points and 11.5 rebounds, had 10 and 10 in a 110-97 loss in Atlanta on Dec. 16.

Johnson led the Hawks with 26 points in that matchup while Horford scored 15 with 10 rebounds.

Memphis has lost two of three at home after winning a franchise-record 11 straight at FedEx Forum from Dec. 18-Jan. 25.

Atlanta hasn't lost four in a row on the road since a five-game slide March 4-April 3.