Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks

Hawks' Joe Smith expects to play vs. Cavs

By
Dec 28, 2009

Hawks forward Joe Smith expects to play Tuesday against Cleveland.

Smith, who has missed the past eight games with a dislocated left thumb, took part in practice Monday morning at Philips Arena to test out the digit.

"I went through some contact stuff today, got it beat up a little bit a couple times, but it bounced back pretty good," said Smith, who iced down the thumb after practice. "I think I'll be ready."

Smith would be an important piece of the Hawks' game plan against the Cavaliers, which will come at the Hawks with big men Shaquille O'Neal, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao.

The Hawks also will play the Cavaliers Wednesday night in Cleveland.

About the Author

Ken Sugiura is a sports columnist at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Formerly the Georgia Tech beat reporter, Sugiura started at the AJC in 1998 and has covered a variety of beats, mostly within sports.

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