Tonight's game will be an interesting one for the Hawks. I have said that I thought we started playing a different style of ball (i.e., a much more successful up-tempo style) in the second half of the Cleveland game at Philips Arena. We used it to beat Cleveland, we did it well enough to beat Washington if not for a barrage of missed FTs, and we pasted both the Bulls and Nuggets with it.

Wednesday's game at Milwaukee, unfortunately, saw the team revert to a more plodding pace, and the inability to execute in the half court in the 4th quarter cost the team a potential victory. But can you chalk that up to fatigue from playing back-to-back nights? (Note: I don't think it's a legit excuse, but in theory, it could have played a role)

Tonight though, there are no excuses, at least for pace of play. Toronto has the ability to put points on the board - witness the 116-91 blitzing of Sacramento on Wednesday. If the teams get out and run, I think the Hawks stand a very good chance of coming out victorious, even in a hostile environment like Toronto (where fans will no doubt be going after Al Horford as a result of his flagrant foul on TJ Ford).

If the game becomes a half-court affair though, I like the Hawks chances much less. Chris Bosh is exactly the kind of post player that gives the Hawks fits, as is a penetrating guard like Jose Calderon. If we are out there pushing the pace, I think we can make up for that disadvantage, but in a slow-it-down game, we are in trouble unless we shoot like 60% from the field.

Either way, tonight's game could prove to be very important for this team. A win tonight, coupled with a win over the Blazers on Monday, and the Hawks would be leaving for the West Coast with a record above .500.

Tune in tonight at 7:00 on SportSouth to see what happens.