So, does anybody want to win a game around here? That’s the question two new coaches are likely asking of their teams tonight, as the Boston Celtics pay the Atlanta Hawks a visit (7:30 PM Eastern, SportSouth, CSN Northeast).

Before burying their positive momentum toward the postseason in a barrage of missed three-point shots last night versus the Smoove-less Pistons, the Hawks’ most disappointing defeats at the Highlight Factory came in November, with losses to the Magic and these same Celtics (minus Rajon Rondo).

Head Coach Mike Budenholzer noted there was a notable lack of focus and effort, for a team that needs both, from the beginning of the Pistons game. For Budenholzer, the three-point shots are an avowed and crucial element of what he is trying to implement. With five games to go, this team (25.9 3FGA per game) has already jacked up 97 more of them than the record volume attained last year under Larry Drew (23.2 3FGA per game). Players from Paul Millsap (113 3FGAs in his prior seven seasons, 206 this season and counting) to DeMarre Carroll to Mike Scott (1 three-point attempt in 40 appearances last season, 184 this season) have committed to expanding their range for the sake of making Budenholzer’s “Hawks Cycle” system functional.

But there are other components Budenholzer wants to see on the floor as well -- among them, playing with pace, protecting the rock, helping teammates box out and securing the rebound. And there were too many instances in last night’s loss where those activities were imperceptible to the naked eye. It seems as if, to get this team to play with the full-court focus Budenholzer demands, somebody absolutely has to pop a couple threes just to get the party started.

The Hawks flustered the Pacers into submission, in part, by going 5-for-9 on triples in the first quarter on Sunday night. Against Detroit (1-for-8 in the first quarter), they wouldn’t see their fifth made three-pointer until midway through the third quarter. That shot preceded Atlanta’s last surge for a four-point lead. Alas, there were too many turnovers, wasted possessions, and Piston putbacks at the start and end of the game for Atlanta to keep up. After the Hawks took a 71-67 lead, Detroit scored five of their next six buckets within ten feet of the rim to seize the lead back for the last time.

Atlanta’s 26 missed threes versus Detroit tied the season-high last month at Golden State. Kyle Korver and DeMarre Carroll were instrumental to the 14-point third-quarter swing to put the Hawks on top, but otherwise were atrocious with shooting (combined 6-for-26, including 4-for-17 from three-point-land) and helping the bigs on the defensive glass, particularly in the first and final quarters.

Atlanta’s been putrid from long-range on two occasions this season against the Celtics (5-for-20 and dominated late in the final quarter of the November loss; 5-for-29 but were carried by Millsap in a late one-point win on New Year’s Eve). So the Hawks know they have to do other things especially well when there’s a power outage along the perimeter.

While Budenholzer is trying to get his squad to play with focus, Boston Head Coach Brad Stevens would be happy getting his Celtics (23-47, losers of their last eight and 13 of their last 14) to just play. Jared Sullinger, Avery Bradley, and Kris Humphries are all dealing with nagging injuries, and at least the tanking fans of the world believe Boston would be best suited if they get rested for the balance of the season. Stevens will have none of that, adding, “I talked about it the other day, you find out a lot about people with five games left in a season when you're on an eight-game losing streak.”

Stevens would absolutely like to find out a lot about these players over the next five games, particularly free agents like Bradley (career-high 14.2 PPG) and Humphries, and who meshes well in the starting lineup with franchise point guard Rajon Rondo. Rondo is usually playing only the first of back-to-back games, and should be activated tonight. The jury is out on Jeff Green’s ability to be an alpha-dog (career-high 16.7 PPG, career-low 40.8 FG%), but Carroll and Millsap keeping him at bay (33.5 FG% away from the rim) will make this game an uphill battle for Boston.

Sullinger and Bradley wasn’t available for the last meeting with the Hawks in Boston, on February 26. But Atlanta had no centers save Elton Brand, and the Hawks had no answer for the two-pronged guard attack of Rondo (season-high 22 points, 11 assists) and mid-season acquisition Jerryd Bayless (season-high 29 points). Similar to last night, Atlanta couldn’t keep any Celtics away from the offensive glass (37.8 team offensive rebounding percentage).

Pero Antić (three defensive boards last night) must be more imposing as a rim defender and spark the Hawks’ transition game. The Hawks in transition will be buoyed by the availability of Lou Williams (hamstring), who was a scratch for last night’s game.

Go Hawks!

~lw3