Seattle (1-8) at Atlanta (3-4)

When: 4:30 p.m., Philips Arena, Atlanta
TV: FSN Radio: 770-AM

Series: Atlanta has lost the past seven games in the series with Seattle. Its last victory, 91-81, came on Nov. 9, 2003.

Scouting the Hawks: Guard Joe Johnson leads the Hawks in scoring (21.9 points a contest) and assists (6.0 a game).
Josh Smith (16.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg) has become one of the better players in the league this season, but the 6-foot-9 forward is questionable for tonight’s game (left quad strain). Acie Law IV (sprained left ankle) also is questionable. Law and Smith did not practice on Thursday. Anthony Johnson will probably start at point guard if Law can’t go. And Sheldon Williams or rookie Al Horford will start at power forward if Smith can’t play.

Bremerton native Marvin Williams has blossomed. In his third year with Atlanta, Williams averages 17.7 points and 6.1 rebounds.

The Hawks are 3-1 at home this season and 2-0 against Western Conference opponents, defeating Phoenix and Dallas.

Atlanta coach Mike Woodson has received some criticism from the local media here. Some believe the Hawks should be better with all the draft picks they have received over the last couple years.
Woodson, in his fourth season, is 72-181 as head coach.

Scouting the Sonics: Damien Wilkins returns home tonight. Wilkins played at the University of Georgia, and his uncle, Dominique Wilkins, is vice president of basketball operations for the Hawks.
Wilkins had this to say about returning home.

“It’s always a good feeling to be back home,” he said. “This one brings a little different dimension because I have an opportunity to play. In years past I was just talking to the crowd from the bench. So it brings on a different feeling being able to be on the floor in front of the hometown fans, friends and family.”

Wilkins had to roundup 56 tickets for friends and family for tonight’s game

Sonics guard Luke Ridnour has a partial tear in his left quad and will be out up to four weeks. He still is with the team on the trip.
Centers Robert Swift (right knee tendinitis) is out, and Kurt Thomas (right hamstring strain) is doubtful for tonight’s game. That means Jeff Green will see more time at power forward tonight, and Johan Petro will be the first big guy off of the bench. Atlanta plays a smaller lineup up front, so the lack of centers available shouldn’t be a problem for Seattle.

Carlesimo still would like to see his team improve defensively. The Sonics are third-worst in points allowed by opponents (106.4) and average 19.7 turnovers a game.

“It’s still our biggest area in need of improvement,” Carlesimo said. “Having said that, turnovers are still a major problem. We’re spotting people too many possessions and too many breakaways, which makes the defense look even worse than it is. The defense is not good, nor is it as bad as it looks because of the turnovers, and also the points we’re giving up off of free throws. But both of those are part of defense, too.”

Listen to the full conversation with Carlesimo here.

And for your reading pleasure, here are a couple links. ESPN’s J.A. Adande catches up with ex-Sonic Gary Payton, who seems comfortable in retirement. And CBS Sports’ Tony Mejia offers his take on the state of the Sonics.

Next: 4 p.m. Saturday at Charlotte, Charlotte Bobcats Arena