--Working on Thanksgiving morning didn't exactly ruin the holiday plans any of the Hawks had with their families. That was done already. Having to travel later in the day made dinner plans pretty much useless since the team will be in Toronto shortly after dark. It's a routine veteran players insist they are used to.
"I can't remember the last time I just sat around with the family and ate dinner on Thanksgiving," said Hawks point guard Mike Bibby, an 11-year veteran. "I don't think I have really. Christmas last year I might have been at home, and the year before, but I can't remember. You could probably count the time on one hand." Hawks captain Joe Johnson said it's simply part of the job.
"You just kiss your momma and keep it moving," Johnson said. "Because we've got work to do."
--The Hawks also take a 5-1 home record, 8-1 dating back to that series with Boston, with them into the extended Thanksgiving weekend, which for them will include stops in Toronto (Friday) and Washington (Saturday).
"We have to win at home," Woodson continued. "We've set goals for our team, and if you're talking about winning at a high level, you have to win games at home. Then you try to figure out the road when you get out there."
Since they're playing .500 ball (4-4) on the road, preserving their edge on their home floor is of the utmost importance until they can get everyone healthy.
"It's very important if you want to be one of the elite teams in the Eastern Conference and in the league period," said C Al Horford, who had a huge night with 21 points, nine rebounds, three blocks and two steals despite being in foul trouble for most of the game. "You have to be able to take care of home court advantage."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "When you allow a team to shoot 50 percent and score 102 points you're not going to win that game. When we turned our heads they were knocking down three-pointers on us. It just wasn't our game tonight." -- Bucks coach Scott Skiles, on what cost his team against the Hawks.
