Peachtree Hoops: Preview and Game Thread #14: Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks

[Hawksquawk]

 

Atlanta Hawks 10-11 Season Game  #14
	@
9-4		8-5
Phillips Arena
November 22, 2010, 7:00 PM
SportSouth, 99X FM, Pre and Post Game Show 680 The Fan, NBA Audio League Pass
Probable starters:
Nate Robinson	PG	Mike Bibby
Ray Allen	SG	Joe Johnson
Paul Pierce	SF	Marvin Williams
Kevin Garnett	PF	Josh Smith
Shaquille O'Neal	C	Al Horford

 

Hawks Injury Report: Pape Sy (back) is out

Celtics Injury Report: Kendrick Perkins (knee) and Jermaine O'Neal (knee) are out, Rajon Rondo (hamstring) is questionable* (Various Reports indicate that it is extremely doubtful that Rondo will suit up)

SB Nation Celtic Blog: Celtics Blog, SB Nation Boston

Game Preview: 

The Celtics come in having dropped their last two games and are likely to be without their starting point guard Rajon Rondo who sat out Sunday's loss to the Raptors with a sore hamstring. Nate Robinson has been a pain in the side of the Hawks and will fill in for Rondo. The Hawks come in off of a tough home loss to the Dallas Mavericks. It was the fourth loss at home for the Hawks this season after only losing seven times at home all of last year. This is the first game of a five game in seven days stint for the Hawks that will include stops in New Jersey, New York, and Toronto. 

Keys to the Game:

It is imperative tonight that the Hawks use their athleticism as an advantage. Last season they repeatedly gave the Celtics trouble by gaining second chance opportunities on the boards. The Hawks need to play fast and attack rather than sitting back and letting Boston dictate. Jamal Crawford was key last season in many of those victories over the Celtics and a strong performance from he and the bench will be important. Call me crazy but I am worried about controlling Nate Robinson. As awesome a talent as Rondo is, Robinson may be the worse match up. Nate isn't the distributor that Rondo is but he is a quick and electric scoring point guard which just happens to be the type that the Hawks struggle with. Will be key for the Hawks to try and punish him on the defensive end. 

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