Having suffered just one loss so far this season as the game homestand tonight versus the Charlotte Bobcats at Philips Arena.
The Hawks are 3-1 at home and will also entertain the Timberwolves, Raptors and Trail Blazers on the upcoming residency. They had a three-game winning streak cut short with Wednesday's 96-84 loss at Indiana, as Josh Smith scored 16 points and Joe Johnson netted 15 in defeat. Al Horford played just 5:52 before leaving the game with a left shoulder injury and is questionable for tonight's bout for the Hawks.
"Losing Al hurt a lot," said Johnson. "He's a good low post player for us. He's also a high-energy guy and a big piece of what we do. Missing him caused us to lack spacing on offense and a big presence down low on defense."
Tracy McGrady (back spasms) missed the game for the Hawks and is questionable versus the Bobcats. Atlanta shot just 37.5 percent from the floor and is already without Marvin Williams due to a bum ankle. Williams is listed as questionable Thursday.
The Bobcats have only two wins this season and look to put the brakes on a four-game losing streak tonight.
In Tuesday's 82-70 loss versus the Houston Rockets, Byron Mullens scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a reserve role for the Bobcats, losers in eight of nine games since winning their season opener versus Milwaukee. Gerald Henderson had 12 points and D.J. Augustin scored 11 in a losing effort.
"We couldn't run, we couldn't defend," Bobcats coach Paul Silas said about his team's fatigue factor. "Our shots were just short. I can't fault the guys. they gave me what they had. That's all I can expect."
Silas' squad made only 34.1 percent from the field and will return home for a three-game residency versus Detroit, Golden State and Cleveland following this evening's contest in the Peach State. The Bobcats, who are 1-4 both at home and on the road, were brutal from beyond the arc against the Rockets, making 1-of-13 three-pointers.
DJ White and Kemba Walker scored nine points each in defeat. Augustin has scored in double figures in each of his last six games, including three games of 20 points or more. He is averaging 17.3 points, 7.0 assists and 4.7 rebounds in that time. Mullens has scored in double figures in six of his last eight games, averaging 11.8 points during the stretch.
Bobcats forward Tyrus Thomas (sore legs) is listed as probable for Thursday.
The Bobcats suffered a 102-96 loss in overtime versus the Hawks on Jan. 6 this season and have lost 10 of the past 17 encounters with their Southeast Division rivals. Charlotte has lost eight of 10 trips to Philips Arena.
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