Celtics (63-16) at Hawks (37-42) 4/12

[FLCeltsFan]

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Boston Celtics (63-16) at Atlanta Hawks (37-42)
Saturday, April 12
Game #80, Away Game #40
TV: NBA LP ch 752, CSNHD, FSN South
Philips Arena




Probable Starters
PG: Rajon Rondo PPG 10.4 RPG 4.10 APG 5.0 EFF + 13.91
SG: Ray Allen PPG 17.8 RPG 3.70 APG 3.1 EFF + 16.07
SF: Paul Pierce PPG 19.9 RPG 5.20 APG 4.7 EFF + 20.21
PF: Kevin Garnett PPG 19.0 RPG 9.40 APG 3.5 EFF + 25.12
C: Kendrick Perkins PPG 7.1 RPG 6.20 APG 1.0 EFF + 12.01

Off the Bench:
James Posey, Big Baby Davis, PJ Brown, Tony Allen, Gabe Pruitt. Brian Scalabrine, Sam Cassell

Injuries
Scot Pollard, ankle, out
Leon Powe, ankle, out
Eddie House, groin, out




Probable Starters
PG: Mike Bibby PPG 13.7 RPG 3.20 APG 6.1 EFF + 13.95
SG: Joe Johnson PPG 21.9 RPG 4.60 APG 5.8 EFF + 19.51
SF: Marvin Williams PPG 15.0 RPG 5.80 APG 1.7 EFF + 15.29
PF: Josh Smith PPG 17.2 RPG 8.30 APG 3.4 EFF + 20.86
C: Al Horford PPG 10.0 RPG 9.60 APG 1.5 EFF + 16.27

Off the Bench:
Josh Childress, Zaza Pachulia, Salim Stoudamire, Mario West, Jeremy Richardson, Solomon Jones, Acie Law

Injuries
Speedy Claxton, knee, out

vs
Kevin Garnett 6'11", PPG 19.0 RPG 9.40 APG 3.5 EFF + 25.12
Josh Smith 6'9", PPG 17.2 RPG 8.30 APG 3.4 EFF + 20.86 KG has the height advantage and the experience advantage but Josh Smith is quicker and younger and very athletic. Smith always plays well against the Celtics and KG will have to figure a way to slow him down while making him work on the defensive end as well.

vs
Rajon Rondo 6'1" PPG 10.4 RPG 4.10 APG 5.0 EFF + 13.91
Mike Bibby 6'1" PPG 13.7 RPG 3.20 APG 6.1 EFF + 13.95
This matchup will be key to the playoff series between these two teams. Neither has a size advantage but Rondo had a significant speed advantage. Bibby has the experience advantage. It will be up to Rondo to defend Bibby and keep him from getting the Hawks into their sets as long as possible.

Honorable Mention
Ray Allen PPG 17.8 RPG 3.70 APG 3.1 EFF + 16.07
Joe Johnson PPG 21.9 RPG 4.60 APG 5.8 EFF + 19.51
Joe Johnson is younger and quicker than Ray Allen and has a height advantage. JJ is a good defender and so Ray will have to work to get his shots in this game. This is a tough matchup for the Celtics.

Keys to the Game
Be Aggressive The Celtics need to be the aggressor, taking the ball to the hoop, hustling for loose balls, and crashing the boards. They need to come out strong and play aggressively all game. The Hawks have out-scored opponents in 2nd chance points in 12 of their last 15 games. The Celtics need to be aggressive on the boards to limit the Hawks' second chance points in this game. The Hawks have either out-rebounded or tied in rebounds in 9 of their last 10 games and the Celtics will need to be aggressive on the boards in this game.

Defense The Celtics need to play tough defense and get their defensive focus back as they are building toward the playoffs. They especially need to guard the perimeter as the Hawks are shooting 40% from beyond the arc in their last 28 games since acquiring Mike Bibby. In their last meeting, when the Celtics picked up their defense, the Hawks became flustered and the Celtics were able to pull away. Hopefully they can do the same in this game.

Limit Turnovers The Celtics have to cut down their turnovers. They are 5th in the league in turnovers and have got to take better care of the ball because teams in the playoffs will take advantage of each and every one.

Game Notes
The Hawks are the Celtics likely first round opponents in the playoffs although the Hawks are only 2 games up on the Pacers for the 8th playoff spot and need to win this game to guarantee their spot. They will be playing hard and will give it their best shot since they are playing to stay in the playoffs. The Celtics need to match their intensity.

Both teams are playing in the second of back to back games and both teams will be travelling to get to this game. Atlanta beat the Knicks in New York and the Celtics easily beat the Bucks with no starter playing more than 24 minutes.

Atlanta is 25-14 at home so play tough in their own building. The Celtics are 29-10 on the road. The Celtics need to win this game to send a message that they are the better team and to keep Atlanta from getting any mental edge going into the playoffs.

[FLCeltsFan]

Scot Pollard is doing the color for tonight's game and I am stuck with the Hawks feed. For what we pay for League Pass they should give us our choice of feeds. Powe and House still out. Powe may be available Monday but both will be ready for the playoffs according to the pregame show.

[FLCeltsFan]

Hawks win the tip and miss their first shot. Celtics rebound. Pierce pulls up and hits a jumper. Williams hits a jumper on the baseline. RA misses a jumper with 1 on the SC. Horford rebounds. Hawks turn it over. Smith with a block on Rondo's shot. ball goes out to Celtics. Bibb called for his first foul. KG goes to the line. He hits both FTs. Bibby drives and is fouled by Rondo. Hawks inbound on the side. Perk with a block but he is called for a foul. Johnson hits both FTs. PP drives to the hoop and lays it in. Williams hits a jumper from the corner. Rondo with an alley oop to KG for a dunk. Smith misses over KG and Celtics rebound. Perk backs into the paint and hits a hook shot. Bibby misses and rebound is tipped out to Rondo. Rondo with another lob inside to KG for a dunk. KG called for a foul on Horford Time out with Celtics up 12-6 and 7:43 in the first

[FLCeltsFan]

Hawks inboun on the side. Johnson gets the ball inside for a dunk. RA misses a jumper in the lane and rebound is tipped out off Boston. Bibby hits a 3 from the corner. Rondo spins to the hoop and lays it in and is fouled. He hits the FT. Bibby misses a 3 and PP rebounds. RA misses a jumper off the catch. Johnson hits a tough shot in traffic. PP drives and lays it in. Johnson is fouled by RA. Time out with Celtics up 17-13 and 5:45 left in the first

[FLCeltsFan]

Horford misses and KG rebounds. Rondo slips and falls and loses the ball. Pachulia lays it in but they wave it off, offensive foul. KG drives and dunks. Bibby misses a jumper and PP rebounds. RA is fouled on the baseline by Pachulia. He hits both FTs. Johnson hits a jumper over Rondo. Perk is doubled inside and he kicks it out. Rondo slipped again and fell and lost the ball. Childress is fouled by PP as he lays it in. PJ is in for KG and Sam comes in for Rondo. Childress misses the FT. Celtics rebound. RA drives it to the hoop and lays it in. Smith misses a jumper and PP rebounds. Sam pulls up and hits a jumper from the FT line. Sam called for a foul. Time out with Celtics up 25-19 and 2:19 left in the first

[FLCeltsFan]

Johnson misses the first and hits the second FT. Illegal screen called on Perk. Posey comes in for PP. Childress has it blocked by Perk. Celtics come away with it. RA puts in in off the glass. Smith misses a floater. Perk rebounds. Sam shoots an airball as the SC winds down and Celtics turn it over. Horford called for a travel as he tries to make room under the hoop to shoot. RA hits a 3 from the top of the arc. Johnson misses a 3 and long rebound goes into the back court. Hawks chase it down. Smith drives down the lane and lays it in. Childress with the foul to give. Celtics inbound with 2.1 in the quarter. Baby called for a travel on the inbound pass. Hawks inbound and miss a long heave at the buzzer. Score at the end of 1 is Boston 30 and Atlanta 22

[FLCeltsFan]

Celtics inbound to start the 2nd. Celtics turn it over and Williams gets a layup. Baby hits a jumper. Defensive 3 seconds on the Celtics. He hits the T. Smith hits a jumper. Celtics miss a 3 and Hawks rebound. Bibby hits a jumper. Smith blocks PJ's shot and Hawks rebound. Smith lays it in and is fouled. He misses the FT. Celtics rebound. Sam pulls up at the FT line and misses a jumper. rebound goes out off Hawks. KG comes back in. Baby misses a reverse layup. Hawks rebound. Williams misses and KG rebounds. Tony drives baseline and puts it in off the glass. Bibby takes it to the hoop and lays it in. Tony misses and Baby rebounds. He misses the put back and Smith rebounds. Baby called for a foul. Time out with Celtics up 34-33 and 8:38 left in the half

[FLCeltsFan]

Pachulia takes it to the hoop and lays it in and hawks take the lead. KG is fouled and goes to the line. KG hits both FTs. Bibby misses and Perk rebounds. KG gets the ball inside and lays it in. Johnson misses and KG gets the rebound. He gets it ahead to Tony who is fouled by Bibby on the drive. He misses the first. hits the second. Hawks turn it over. KG spins around Pachulia and is fouled. He continues to the hoop for a monster tomahawk dunk but it was after the foul.. Celtics inbound on the side. KG hits a jumper over the defender on the baseline. Tony called for a foul. Hawks inbound on the side. Horford has it blocked by Perk. Posey on the break is fouled by Jones. He hits the first and misses the second. Horford rebounds. Tony called for a foul. After the whistle, KG tied up his man so he couldn't shoot, even after the foul. Time out with Celtics up 42-35 and 5:48 left in the half.

[FLCeltsFan]

Hawks inbound on the side. Johnson drives to the hoop and lays it in. Celtics miss a jumper Hawks rebound. Johnson is fouled by Perk on the shot. He front rims the first. Hits the second. KG with a couple of fakes and then puts it in off the glass. Perk with a nice block and Johnson falls out of bounds after the block. Perk is fouled as he gets the pass inside. He hits both FTs. Johnson drives to the hoop and is fouled. He hits both FTs. Perk and Mike Woodson had a few words on the side as Perk leaves the game. Horford with a block and is called for a foul. Horford and KG with words for each other. KG hits the first. Double technical on KG and Williams for trash talk. KG hits the second. Williams misses a jumper but is fouled by PP, his second. He front rims the first. misses the second. Celtics rebound. Rondo slips and falls again in the same spot but saves the ball. Celtics miss but get the rebound. Baby misses a layup. Celtics steal the rebound. RA hits a 3 from the corner. Johnson misses a jumper. rebound is tipped around and Baby comes down with it. PP misses a 3 and rebound comes off to Horford. Horford hits a baseline jumper. Pierce is fouled by Jones. Time out with Celtics up 51-42 and 1:05 left in the half

[FLCeltsFan]

PP at the line hits both FTs. Williams takes it to the hoop and lays it in. PP drives baseline and is fouled. He hits both FTs. Celtics pressing in the back court but the Hawks pass it across. Hawks miss and Celtics rebound and Rondo shoots an airball from just past half court at the buzzer. Score at the half is Celtics 55 and Hawks 44

[FLCeltsFan]

Celtics inbound to start the third. Celtics turn it over. Horford hits a jumper from the FT line. RA misses a jumper at the SC. Hawks rebound. Smith called for a travel. Celtics turn it over. Horford hits a jumper in the paint. KG misses a jumper and Horford rebounds. KG pokes the ball away and Hawks inbound with 18 on the SC. Smith misses a jumper. Rondo chases down the rebound. Smith called for a foul on PP. Celtics inbound on the side. PP loses the ball in the paint but it goes out off Horford. Celtics inbound on the side. KG hits a tough jumper. Smith misses but tips in his own miss. RA drives to the hoop and lays it in. Smith takes it to the hoop for a dunk. KG misses a hook shot and Perk saves the rebound from boing out but Hawks come away with it. Williams is fouled and hits both FTs. PP is fouled as he shoots from the FT line. PP hits both FTs. Johnson hits a jumper from the corner. Rondo slips on the floor again. Smith takes it to the hoop and lays it in. Lead is down to 3. PP misses and is called for the foul on the rebound. Hawks inbound. Smith drives on KG and lays it in and draws the foul. He hits the FT and ties the game at 61. Rondo puts it in high off the glass. Horford hits a jumper from the top of the key. KG misses a jumper. Hawks rebound. Johnson hits a jumper in the lane and Hawks take the lead. PP drives to the hoop and is fouled. Time out with Hawks up 65-63. 5:30 left in the 3rd

[FLCeltsFan]

Pierce hits both FTs to tie the game at 65. Smith hits a jumper from the wing. KG hits a jumper. Horford hits a jumper over Perk on the baseline. PP misses a jumper. Childress rebounds. Bibby misses and KG rebounds. Bibby steals the outlet pass. Horford lays it in. Foul called on Smith, his 4th. Rondo and Perk go out and Baby and Sam come in. Celtics inbound. Sam misses and Johnson rebounds. Johnson misses and Childress rebounds. Bibby misses a runner. KG grabs the rebound. PP misses and comes down with his own rebound and is called for a travel. Time out with Hawks up 71-67 and 2:47 left in the 3rd

[FLCeltsFan]

Hawks inbound in the back court. Cassell and Bibby wrestle for the ball and it goes out to Hawks. RA called for a reach in foul, his 3rd. Johnson goes to the line. Doc arguing the call. He hits the first and misses the second. Baby rebounds. KG with a no look to Baby who lays it in. Childress misses and Celtics rebound. KG with a cross court pass to Sam in the corner for an open 3. Game tied at 72. Bibby misses a 3 and RA rebounds. Hawks deflect the ball out of bounds. Celtics inbound on the side. KG hits a jumper from the corner. Johnson misses and rebound is tipped to Bibby by Childress. Johnson hits a jumper with 1 on the SC. KG misses a heave at the buzzer and score at the end of 3 is tied at 74.

[FLCeltsFan]

Hawks inbound to start the 4th. Bibby backs in on Cassell and lays it in. Doc calls time out with 11:12 to go in the 4th and Hawks up 76-74

[FLCeltsFan]

Sam brings the ball up. Celtics miss and Hawks rebound. Bibby misses a 3 and Horford rebounds and is fouled by Posey. He misses the first. hits the second. Tony misses a layup and Horford ties up Baby as he comes down with the rebound. Celtics win the tip. Baby hits a jumper from the FT line. Baby, PJ, Sam, Tony and Posey on the floor. Horford misses in the paint and PJ rebounds. Baby misses and Hawks rebound. Posey with the foul to stop the layup. Childress hits the first and misses the second. Hawks rebound and Bibby hits a 3. Hawks go up by 5. Sam hits from the FT line. Offensive foul on Johnson. Time out with Hawks up 81-78 and 8:54 left in the 4th