HAWKS REPORT

> BACK AT FULL STRENGTH: Hawks center Al Horford made his way back into the Hawks’ lineup after missing Saturday’s loss in Dallas with a sprained right ankle.

It was the 14th game this season the Hawks have played without either Horford or Josh Smith.

Without Horford or Smith, or both as was the case during a loss to Indiana, the Hawks are a totally different team, according to coach Mike Woodson. That’s especially true on the defensive end.

“We don’t have an inside presence when both of those guys are out,” Woodson said. “Al Horford anchors our defense on the backside and Josh the same thing. … Our rebounding and shot blocking was suspect without him. We need a total package for us to be really competitive.”

> JUST IN TIME FOR THE HAWKS: Woodson watched the Rockets struggle in a loss in Memphis Monday night but knew not to put too much stock in that.

The Rockets played without Tracy McGrady, Ron Artest and Shane Battier against the Grizzlies, three of their top five players. Both Artest and Battier returned for Tuesday’s game, giving the Rockets a totally different look alongside All-Star center Yao Ming.

> GAME TIME? The official tip for Tuesday’s game was 8:30 p.m., but the Hawks didn’t show up for a good 15 minutes after that. They missed their first 12 shots and were down 13-0 before most of the fans at Toyota Center had made it to their seats. It was the Hawks’ worst first-quarter start of the season and worst since a 13-point first quarter start against Cleveland on Jan. 9, 2008, a game the Hawks went on to win 90-81.