Spurs will bring familiar look against Hawks

By Ken Sugiura

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Not that playing San Antonio qualifies as any sort of break, but the Hawks will have an easier time preparing for their Sunday night game against the Spurs after playing Charlotte on Friday night.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, like Hawks coach Mike Woodson, had long stints serving as assistants to Bobcats coach Larry Brown.

There are "not a whole lot of adjustments [from Charlotte to San Antonio]," Woodson said. "From a defensive standpoint and rebounding, you're going to have to meet them head on because ‘Pop' is a Larry Brown clone. They've won their four titles by defending and rebounding and getting after you, and his teams haven't changed over the years."

Both Charlotte, whom the Hawks beat 93-92 in overtime Friday, and San Antonio are in the top seven in average points allowed and in the top 11 in defensive field goal percentage.

"We're going to have to play 48 minutes to beat them," Woodson said.

Injury updates: Forward Josh Smith and guard Mike Bibby did not practice Saturday in order to get treatment. Smith was hip-checked by Charlotte center Theo Ratliff as he tried to get around a pick, while Bibby was kneed in the thigh in the Hawks' loss to Toronto Wednesday. Both will play against San Antonio.

Hawks guard Joe Johnson practiced and said he felt good. Johnson had missed the previous two games resting his Achilles tendinitis.

Jordan watching: Center Al Horford on playing in front of Michael Jordan, who took in Friday's Bobcats-Hawks game from behind the Charlotte bench in his first game as the team owner.

"I saw him in the second half. I was pretty excited about it," he said. "I've never actually met him. I don't know him personally, and even though it's his team and all that, it's still exciting knowing that he's there taking time out of his day to watch us. You definitely want to look good in front of Mike."

Repeating the line: With 18 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and four steals against Charlotte, Smith compiled his second game with a stat line of at least 15 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals for the second time this season. According to Elias Sports Bureau, Smith is the only player to do that twice this year, and only five other players have done it once.