We often wonder what opposing teams, their beat reporters and bloggers are saying about the Celtics. Here’s a look at some enemy chatter from Atlanta.
Trapping Thomas
The Hawks did make a defense adjustment in Game 5. They employed a trap when the Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas had the ball and forced him to pass. Following the game, Paul Millsap said the Hawks really hadn’t practiced the strategy specific to Thomas but was pleased with the result, especially how well the other defenders rotated when Thomas got rid of the ball. The playoffs are about adjustments and this one worked for the Hawks. Thomas, who had 42 and 28 points in Games 3 and 4, finished with just seven (on 3 of 12 shooting) before leaving Game 5 with a mild ankle sprain.
Crisp passing is the remedy for any trap. But it’s moot if you’re not making the open jump shots that result from the crisp passing.
ESPN’s Chris Forsberg says “Thomas gave the ball up on 75.3 percent of his touches (55 passes on 73 touches) during Tuesday’s Game 5, a number far north of his regular-season average (68.8 percent; 61 passes on 88.6 touches).”
It will be interesting to see what Stevens draws up to get the Celtics better looks and how to get the ball back into Thomas’ hands after those traps.
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