How we see it goin' down: Celtics vs Hawks

Tip: 8PM Court: TD Garden Watch it: ESPN, CSNNE Hear it: WEEI

Referees: Bill “Cheats” McGhee, Boondoggle Jones and David Stern III

Spread: BOS -4.5

The Matchup


Record: 33-27	Record: 34-26
At home: 21-9	On road: 15-16
Streak: Won 4	Streak: Won 1

Leaders	Leaders
Buckets: Pierce (18.5 ppg)	Buckets: Al Horford (17.4 ppg)
Boards: Garnett (7.8 rpg)	Boards: Horford (10.0 rpg)
Dimes: Pierce (4.6 apg)	Dimes: Jeff Teague (7.1 apg)

For the Stat Geeks:	For the Stat Geeks:
Offensive Rating: 102.4 (24th NBA)	Offensive Rating: 104.8 (17th NBA)
Defensive Rating: 102.1 (5th NBA)	Defensive Rating: 103.9 (9th NBA)
Pace: 91.5 (18th NBA)	Pace: 92.1 (12th NBA)

Last time

I have a vague recollection of the Celtics blowing a 27-point lead in a loss to the Hawks on Jan. 25. However, I vividly remember the Celtics rallying from a 19-point deficit to beat Atlanta on Jan. 5.

This time

Get it to: Paul Pierce

DeShawn Stevenson is a tough defender, but Pierce has a a couple inches and 20 pounds on him. Will Doc put the Truth in the post and see if he can take advantage of the size difference and draw some fouls?

Gotta stop: Al Horford

Over his last ten games, Horford is averaging 24 points (on 63% shooting) and 11 rebounds. Big Al doesn’t kill you with post moves, but with a short to midrange jumper. Celtics will need their legs as Horford can run the breek. He’s also mobile enough to stick with KG on the perimeter.

The Wild Card: The Celtics perimeter shooting

The Hawks are a top-10 defensive team, but their Achilles heel is three-point shooting. They’re allowing opponents to shoot 38% – 3rd worst in the league. If the Celtics swing the ball, they should get uncontested looks.