Hawks-Piston could be playoff matchup

Anyone looking for deeper story lines in the Hawks-Pistons game Wednesday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills didn’t have to search hard.

If the playoffs started today, the Hawks and Pistons would be matched up in the first round, with the No. 4 Hawks owning home-court advantage in the series with the No. 5 Pistons.

So there’s no question that gave Wednesday’s game a little added flair.

“Just because of where we both are in the standings, it has that kind of buzz,” Josh Smith said. “And that’s a good thing.”

Hawks coach Mike Woodson said he’s not looking that far ahead. “This is a regular-season game and a game that has meaning to it because both teams are chasing that fourth spot,” Woodson said. “We happen to be holding it right now. So it means a great deal to me, from a coaching standpoint, that these guys come out and step up and play.

“Because this Detroit squad is a good basketball team. Their personnel is as good as any team in our league.”

VACATION PLANS: Three Hawks — Joe Johnson, Mike Bibby and Al Horford — will take part in the All-Star Weekend festivities in Phoenix.

The rest of the team, coaches and players, will scatter for the four days off before starting the post-All-Star break portion of the schedule.

“You need to get away and spend time with your family,” Woodson said. “The break is a time to get lost and play golf or something.”

Woodson said he planned to do all of the above. He’s going to spend time with his family and find his way to Phoenix before the weekend is out not only to watch his players compete but also to play a little golf.

“I’ll be wherever Eddie Johnson takes me to play in Phoenix,” Woodson said. “We’ll get back together as a team Monday in Los Angeles, get back on the practice floor and get ready for the Lakers [Tuesday] and the rest of that road trip and just go from there.”

HEATING UP: Marvin Williams probably didn’t want the All-Star break to get here. Since missing two games (Jan. 19 and 20) with a concussion, Williams has been on a tear.

Even with Tuesday’s off night in a victory over the Wizards at Philips Arena, he has averaged 17.1 points and 7.6 rebounds during a 10-game stretch after his absence. And that included a career-high 29 points against Charlotte last week.