For better or worse, the Hawks plan to play their remaining 21 games of the regular season and position themselves for the playoffs with the roster as it currently stands.
The stretch run, which continues Sunday at the Cavaliers, features 14 home games, including one four-game and one five-game stand at Philips Arena.
The NBA trade deadline passed Thursday without the Hawks making a significant move. There had been speculation that the Hawks would entertain offers for players such as Josh Smith, who requested a trade, and Kirk Hinrich, who has an expiring contract. They did trade a second-round draft pick to the Warriors for cash considerations that can be used to offset the luxury tax at season’s end.
The Hawks have been hit hard by injury, as eight players have missed a combined 95 games. Most notably All-Star Al Horford has missed 33 games with a torn left pectoral muscle. The team has used nine different starting lineups.
“I’ve been playing at a high level before the All-Star break and before the trade deadline,” Smith said following Friday’s victory over the Wizards. “I’m going to keep doing the same.”
Coach Larry Drew said he addressed the fact that the trade deadline had passed with his team Friday afternoon. He reminded them to keep focused on the finish line, the end of the regular season and putting themselves in the best position for the playoffs. Drew said the team had “weathered the storm” of its early schedule.
Drew acknowledged that the trade deadline can be a distraction for players.
“Whether a guy will admit it or not, that always has to be lingering in the back of his mind,” Drew said. “I know when I was a player, right around that time there was always something there because you knew there was always a possibility [of a trade]. Then, when it passes, you kind of exhale. I know each guy, I’m sure, whether they will admit it or not, there was probably a little bit of concern there because you just never know. Now that it’s gone, you can re-direct your focus.”
The Hawks (25-19) entered Saturday sixth in the Eastern Conference playoff race. They trail the fifth-place Pacers (25-17) by one game and lead the seventh-place Celtics (23-20) by a game and a half. They have three games remaining with the Celtics, including Monday at home.
The Hawks likely would need to catch the Magic (29-16), who they trail by 3 1/2 games, to move into one of the top four spots to host a first-round playoff series. They have one game remaining with the Magic (April 13 at Orlando), who they have beaten twice this season.
“We’ve just have to position ourselves for a good spot in the playoffs to be able to take advantage and at least have home-court [advantage] at least in the first round,” leading scorer Joe Johnson said. “Hopefully we can get Al back [for the playoffs], but if not, we have to go with what we’ve got.”
Smith has averaged 25.2 points and 9.4 rebounds in March. He has a 50.6 field-goal percentage (90-for-178) in the nine games, including 42.9 percent (12-for-28) from 3-point range. Johnson has similar numbers in the past five games since returning from tendinitis in a knee. He has averaged 25.2 points while shooting 50.6 percent (43-for-85) from the field, including 50 percent (17-for-34) from 3-point range.
Of the remaining 21 games, 10 are against teams that entered Saturday with a sub-.500 record. Eight of those 10 are against teams that are nine or more games below the mark.
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