The Hawks moved back to .500 last night with a 98-87 win at division-leading Orlando and in the process won their third straight game, which around the offices of Atlanta Spirit means free donuts! So thanks for that, Hawks.

Josh Smith continued to show the form that won him Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors, posting huge numbers across the board with 25 points, 16 rebounds (a season-high), 5 assists, 4 steals, 4 blocks, and a partridge in a pear tree.

This was an excellent win for Atlanta - probably the best of the season, considering the game was played in hostile territory. The Hawks raced out to a ten-point lead in the first quarter and never looked back, and executed a terrific game plan in slowing down Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson.

And so, at the season's quarter pole, the Hawks have drawn even. There have been some great wins, some frustrating losses, but overall, the Hawks are right in the thick of it.

Tonight's game with Toronto will be an interesting one. Not to get ahead of ourselves, but a win will get the Hawks back above .500 this late in the season for the first time since 1999. And, not that it matters, but if the season ended tonight, a Hawks win would give them the 4th-best record in the East. Just nice to think about things like that.

But, to make that happen, Atlanta will have to come out with the same fire and intensity it showed against the Magic and the Grizzlies in the last two games. The Raptors are no joke, and are a squad that has dealt with a lot of injuries and at 11-10 are probably much better than their record would have you believe.

Chris Bosh presents an entirely different set of problems than Dwight Howard did last night, so it will be interesting to see what the Hawks do to counter him. Andrea Bargnani looks like he'll be back for Toronto as well.

Come out tonight to support the team - things are starting to pick up around here, let's help keep the streak alive!