This weekend is huge for the Hawks. H-U-G-E. Two daunting opponents on the docket, both of whom can be considered title aspirants (if not favorites). The Hawks have shown they can play with the big boys in the league, coming close to beating San Antonio and Utah, beating Detroit and Phoenix (though sans-Nash).

Still though, the team has got to start turning some of these moral victories into actual victories. Tonight, hosting the Rockets, is a great opportunity to do so.

Houston is a great team, even without Yao, due to their terrific defense. As assistant coach Greg Ballard told us today in breaking down tonight's matchup, the Hawks must play smart offensive basketball in order to win. The Rockets lead the league in defensive rebounding, and have terrific on the ball defenders in Shane Battier and Luther Head, so the Hawks will have to protect the rock and take smart shots.

This stretch is brutal for Atlanta, no doubt. But if they can just tread water, I still say the playoffs are within reach. I know you may think I'm drinking the company kool-aid, but just hear me out. Orlando, in the 7th spot, is 13-23 since starting the season 14-5. Miami, which seemed on their way up the ladder, now faces the prospect of playing without Dwyane Wade for the rest of the season. If so, stick a fork in 'em.

The schedule opens up tremendously for the Hawks in March and April. Do yourself a favor and look at the Hawks schedule for March and April. How many games do you count that you would say for sure, "That's a loss." I don't count that many - four, five tops. Obviously, I am not contending that the Hawks are going to go on a 19-5 run to finish the season. But if they can grab a couple wins in this next five game stretch to stay near the 10 games under mark, the slate is there for the team to start making a push.

Which brings us back to this weekend. If the Hawks are going to make a playoff push, obviously they are going to have to start defending the home court. Winning at least one of the two this weekend would be a huge start.

Come on out to support the boys in red and white, and let's see if we can't start to make this thing a little interesting.

See you there!

Update: No confirmation on this, but allegedly Tracy McGrady said on the Dan Patrick show today on ESPN Radio that he was going to pop for 40 tonight against us. Challenge extended? Challege accepted. Let's crank up the D Hawks!