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Hawks-Celtics game

smoove31210

By smoove31210
in Homecourt

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thatsmydawg Newbie

thatsmydawg

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Will "Joe me the Money!" show up? Afterall, Boston is a good team.

Nevermind. Boston is sitting everyone. This should piss the Hawks off. Boston is basically saying we can beat you in the playoffs with or without Homecourt advantage. Maybe they are right but this should provide added incentive during the playoffs.
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lethalweapon3 Grand Master

lethalweapon3

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It’s just not fair, I tell you. Rajon Rondo goes on a Stockton-esque swing with 23 consecutive games of double-digit assists, then misses Wednesday’s game against Orlando with a sore back. Who but Paul Pierce would step up in Rondo’s absence with a career-high 14 dimes, not to mention 29 points in a tight Celtics victory?

Pierce is being relied upon to shoot more (nearly 15 shots a game, including over 4.5 threes per game) than he has at any time in the storied Three Amigos era. With his higher shot volume, though, and his greater reliance on shots near the perimeter, his field goal percentages have plummeted, down from nearly 50 percent last season to 44 percent so far. On the upside, as the Magic learned Wednesday, his assists are about as high as they’ve been since KG, Ray, and Rondo joined him in Beantown.

(whoops, won't matter... apparently no Pierce and no KG tonight either. Will they suit Doc up?)

It will be interesting to see if the Hawks’ approach to fire away at the three-point line will continue. They’ve lobbed up 20 or more three-point attempts in their last six games, compared to just one in the previous seven. Meanwhile, Boston is still nearing recorded NBA-lows for opponent 3-point field goal percentage (30.5%), but were blistered by Mike Woodson’s Knicks on Tuesday, absorbing 14 first half three-pointers from a New York squad that finished 19-for-32. Who might play the roles that J.R. Smith did early, Carmelo Anthony did during the middle of the game, and Steve Novak did late in the Celtics’ last undoing?

Lost within that barrage was the fact that Tyson Chandler and the Knicks shot nearly 55 percent on two-point shots as well. The Celtics, who also give up an NBA-low 42 percent in overall field goal percentage, were able to tighten the clamps on Ryan Anderson and J.J. Redick on Wednesday, holding the Magic to 6-for-24 from three-point range. But Boston still gave up 56 percent inside the arc, to bangers like Big Baby, cherry-pickers like Jason Richardson and streakers like Von Wafer. Finding the right offensive balance will keep the Hawks at least within striking distance, if not ahead, by the final quarter. Jeff Teague’s aggressive play on drives will be crucial for drawing defenders in and getting players open at the rim and around the arc.

Getting more second chances on offense will make a difference as well. The Celtics remain dead last in offensive rebounds (just 7.8 per game, 20% offensive rebounding rate). Since getting nine more offensive rebounds (15-6) in the process of edging the Hawks on April 11, Boston has managed fewer offensive boards than their opponents in each of the last five games, including 17 by the Dwight-less Magic versus their 3 rebounds on Wednesday. They’ve had fewer offensive boards in 18 of the last 20 games. Ryan Hollins has not come along quickly enough to make an impact, so the Celtics are adding journeyman Sean Williams to the roster in time for tonight’s game.

Go Hawks!

~lw3

Edited by lethalweapon3
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lethalweapon3 Grand Master

lethalweapon3

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"Georgia Tech University." Sigh. Read the d@&m signs! LOL

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2012/04/kg_pierce_likel.html

If there was any question whether Celtics coach Doc Rivers prioritized rest or home-court advantage, he answered it this morning. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett "probably" will not play tonight against the Atlanta Hawks in an important game that could determine whether the Celtics begin the playoffs on the road.

Both players were at the team's shootaround at Georgia Tech University, but neither will play. Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen and Mickael Pietrus are back in Boston, meaning the starting lineup tonight is likely Avery Bradley, Keyon Dooling, Sasha Pavlovic, Brandon Bass and Greg Stiemsma.

So, it sounds like we really have to win now...

~lw3

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Admin Newbie

Admin

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What the hell? No Rondo, Pierce, Allen, or Garnett? How can you do that with homecourt on the line? Homecourt means a lot in the playoffs. I realized the Celtics are old but geez. I'll be very surprised if we do that.

With a condensed schedule like we've seen this year I would absolutely favor having a rested group of starters and having to win a road game and all home games vs a tired group of starters and having to win all of my home games. If this were a normal regular season I bet we'd see them trying to win that spot but it makes sense to me for this year. Heck we took it easy the final 6 games of the regular season last year "playing possum" and that worked out very well for us in the 1st round.
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Gray Mule Grand Master

Gray Mule

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If these are the Celtic players tonight, then these are the playersthe Hawks must beat. Doesn't matter who has that name on the backof the shirt. just score more points than they do.If they only play the far end of their bench and put a whoopin' on the Hawks,we will not be able to show our face in the playoffs. So, all the pressureis on Atlanta to win tonight. Otherwise, - - - - - - - - -GO HAWKS

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Admin Newbie

Admin

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If these are the Celtic players tonight, then these are the players

the Hawks must beat. Doesn't matter who has that name on the back

of the shirt. just score more points than they do.

If they only play the far end of their bench and put a whoopin' on the Hawks,

we will not be able to show our face in the playoffs. So, all the pressure

is on Atlanta to win tonight. Otherwise, - - - - - - - - -

GO HAWKS

Unless we're playing possum LOL
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benhillboy Grand Master

benhillboy

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Joe shooting well, Teague being aggressive, Josh beasting as usual. Anybody else love Doris Burke's commentary? She's quite complimentary of our team, and she's a smart and observant basketball mind, pointing out how we have "5 or 6 guys who shoot the three at a very nice percentage" or how the "league perception of Josh is a step behind where he is in his maturation and how he still has another step to reach with his game". Much rather listen to her than Nique's simple cliched talk.

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