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Hawks without DeMarre Carroll for showdown with Blazers

ale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

For the second time in a month, general wear-and-tear has DeMarre Carroll on the shelf.

The red-hot Atlanta Hawks are faced with stopping the visiting Portland Trail Blazers without their starting small forward. Carroll missed Thursday's practice due to what was called general soreness, fatigue that will push Thabo Sefolosha into a starting role Friday.

The least heralded of the Hawks' starting five, Carroll also sat out Jan. 13 to rest and missed four games early in the year due to a groin strain. Often tasked with guarding an opponent's best wing, Carroll has also hit 39.7 percent of his threes, helping him to a career-high 11.8 points per game to go along with 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals. 

The Hawks have actually been slightly better with him off the floor, possibly due to his facing opposing starters while Sefolosha faces second units. Signed to a three-year, $12-million contract this offseason, Sefolosha is averaging 5.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in 19.3 minutes.

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