Can we be honest here? The Hawks need a win tonight. New Jersey, for whatever reason, has owned us this season. They've beaten us at home, they've beaten us on the road, they've won by a lot, they've won on buzzer beaters; you name it, they've pretty much done it to us. We owe them.

Also, coming off three straight losses, Atlanta needs some good news. The team needs to play well together, to defend the basket, and to get some easy points. This is a portion of the schedule they need to take advantage of, playing some teams that are behind them in the standings, especially with a long West coast trip looming after the All-Star break.

The good news is, the Hawks have responded well most of the season so far. In almost every situation like tonight, they have met the challenge and prevailed. As frustrating as the last few losses have been, the Hawks are still who we thought they were (to use an overplayed cliche) - a very talented team capable of beating anyone in the league.

It seems like it was so long ago that Atlanta was hanging a 30-point win on Milwaukee, but it's only been a week. That's how fast things change in this business. A win tonight might start a streak going the opposite direction, who knows?

Come down to Philips tonight to see the Hawks get some payback and get the offense back on track.