Post by FLCeltsFan on May 1, 2008 12:44:02 GMT -5
at 
Boston Celtics (3-2) at Atlanta Hawks (2-3)
Friday, May 2
8:00 PM ET
Round 1, Game #6, Away Game #3
ESPN, CSN HD
Philips Arena
Probable Starters
Rajon Rondo PPG 12.6 RPG 4.20 APG 8.0 EFF + 19.60
Ray Allen PPG 17.2 RPG 3.00 APG 3.6 EFF + 16.00
Paul Pierce PPG 17.4 RPG 4.60 APG 4.8 EFF + 17.40
Kevin Garnett PPG 21.4 RPG 8.80 APG 3.6 EFF + 24.80
Kendrick Perkins PPG 5.8 RPG 6.00 APG 0.4 EFF + 10.80
Off the Bench
Eddie House, James Posey, Leon Powe, Big Baby Davis, Tony Allen, PJ Brown, Sam Cassell, Brian Scalabrine, Gabe Pruitt
Probable Starters
Mike Bibby PPG 10.6 RPG 2.40 APG 2.6 EFF + 6.60
Joe Johnson PPG 21.8 RPG 4.00 APG 4.4 EFF + 18.40
Marvin Williams PPG 11.0 RPG 3.40 APG 0.6 EFF + 8.40
Josh Smith PPG 18.4 RPG 7.00 APG 3.2 EFF + 21.80
Al Horford PPG 12.8 RPG 11.20 APG 3.6 EFF + 20.60
Off the Bench:
Josh Childress, Zaza Pachulia, Salim Stoudamire, Mario West, Jeremy Richardson, Solomon Jones, Acie Law
Key Matchups
Rajon Rondo vs Mike Bibby
Rondo outplayed Bibby once again in game 5 in Boston. It remains to be seen if he can do it again in Atlanta. Rondo's ability to throw Bibby off his game is key to every other area of this game.
vs 
Kevin Garnett vs Josh Smith
KG got back to his dominant defense in game 5 and will need to do the same in game 6 for the Celtics to win. He will need to make Smith work on the defensive end while bothering his every shot on the offensive end.
Honorable Mention
Ray Allen vs Joe Johnson
When the Celtics play team defense and they help Ray on Joe, we have seen that they can effectively shut him down. They are going to have to play that kind of team defense in game 6 as Ray can't guard him one on one. Shutting Johnson down is key to a game 6 win.
Keys to the Game
Rebounding When the celtics out rebound the Hawks they win and when they don't, they lose. Much of rebounding is effort and desire and when both of those are there, they get the rebounds and they out play the Hawks
Defense The Celtics can't try to outscore the Hawks because they found out in games 3 and 4 that doesn't work. They have to play the tough defense that they played in games 1,2 and 5 in order to win. No defense = no win.
Be Aggressive The Celtics need to continue to be aggressive in taking the ball to the basket and in diving for loose balls and crashing the boards. By being more aggressive and driving to the hoop rather than settling for quick jumpers, they will either get a high percentage shot or draw the foul and getting the Hawks into foul trouble pays dividends because they have a limited bench.
X-Factor
Bench Play
The Celtics bench has come through in a big way in their three wins and was a non factor in the two losses. The Celtics will need their bench to produce in this game if they want to end the series here.
