--Including the Toronto game, five of the Hawks' next six games will be against teams under .500: Toronto, New Jersey, Memphis, Chicago and Minnesota. The only interruption is a Dec. 18 game with Utah. "We have an opportunity to get some separation and try and move up into the second or third spot (in the Eastern Conference) over this next stretch," Mo Evans said. "If we can take advantage of that, we can really help ourselves." --F Joe Smith's dislocated left thumb ended the Hawks' 21-game streak of playing without anyone having to miss the game because of injury. Smith injured his thumb swiping at the ball while defending a Chicago fast break during a win over the Bulls Wednesday.
"We can always play Al (Horford) at the '4 (spot),' Marvin (Williams) at the '4,'" coach Mike Woodson said. "If I don't feel comfortable with 'O,' I can go that route."
The Raptors, by comparison, have lost 35 player games.
Othello Hunter suited up in Smith's absence. Hunter played 16 games last season as a rookie.
"It's kind of hard (being inactive) because you can look and see what you can do out there. And to know you're still in a suit kind of (stinks)," Hunter said. "But now I feel like all that I watched and learned, I can actually bring it to the court now."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We knew they were going to be aggressive and play aggressive and we matched that." -- C Zaza Pachulia, on matching the Raptors' physicality in Friday's win.
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