Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 18, 2008 19:39:19 GMT -5
at 
Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics
Post Season Game #1, Home Game #1
Series tied at (0-0)
Sunday, 4/20
8:30 PM
TNT, CSN HD
TD Banknorth Garden (aka The Jungle)
Probable Starters
PG: Rajon Rondo PPG 10.6 RPG 4.20 APG 5.1 EFF + 14.21 
SG: Ray Allen PPG 17.4 RPG 3.70 APG 3.1 EFF + 15.77 
SF: Paul Pierce PPG 19.6 RPG 5.10 APG 4.5 EFF + 19.94 
PF: Kevin Garnett PPG 18.8 RPG 9.20 APG 3.4 EFF + 24.85 
C: Kendrick Perkins PPG 6.9 RPG 6.10 APG 1.1 EFF + 11.76 Off the Bench:
James Posey, Leon Powe, Eddie House, Big Baby Davis, PJ Brown, Tony Allen, Sam Cassell, Brian Scalabrine, Gabe Pruitt
Injuries
Scot Pollard, ankle, out
Probable Starters
PG: Mike Bibby PPG 13.9 RPG 3.30 APG 6.0 EFF + 14.15 
SG: Joe Johnson PPG 21.7 RPG 4.50 APG 5.8 EFF + 19.34 
SF: Marvin Williams PPG 14.8 RPG 5.70 APG 1.7 EFF + 14.99 
PF: Josh Smith PPG 17.2 RPG 8.20 APG 3.4 EFF + 20.83 
C: Al Horford PPG 10.1 RPG 9.70 APG 1.5 EFF + 16.51 Off the Bench:
Josh Childress, Zaza Pachulia, Salim Stoudamire, Mario West, Jeremy Richardson, Solomon Jones, Acie Law
Injuries
Speedy Claxton, knee, out
Key Matchups
vs 
This is going to be a very important matchup in this series. Bibby has been in over 50 playoff games vs 0 playoff games for Rondo. 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.
vs 
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.
Honorable Mention
Ray Allen vs Joe Johnson
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. Ray will also have to work on the defensive end to keep Johnson from going off offensively.
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 Celtics need to set the tone for the series right from the beginning and not allow the Hawks to get any thoughts of being able to compete with the Celtics in this series.
Defense Defense becomes even more important in the playoffs. The Celtics need to come out right from the beginning with swarming defense both inside and out. They have to guard the perimeter as the Hawks have good 3 point shooters and they also have to guard against the penetration.
Limit Turnovers The Celtics have turned the ball over too much in the regular season and this could be their Achilles heel if they don't find a way to take better care of the ball.
Ball Movement The Celtics are at their best when they move the ball and find the open man. If they try to do too much individually, their offense stalls.
Game Notes: The Celtics and Hawks have many ties through the years. Doc Rivers played in Atlanta for 8 years. Celtics assistant Armand Hill also played for the Hawks and was an assistant coach for the Hawks as well. Red Auerbach was the second head coach in Hawks franchise history as he coached the Tri Cities Blackhawks in 1949-50.
The Celtics won the season series 3-0 from the Hawks but that really doesn't mean anything. The last Hawks appearance in the playoffs in 1998-99 ended in a sweep by the NY Knicks, who they had swept in the regular season. The Celtics can't take this team for granted and need to bring their A game against them.
X-Factor
Defense Whichever team plays the best defense and gets the stops will win the game.
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