Tip: 7:30PM Court:Philips Arena Watch it:CSNNE Hear it: WEEI
Referees: Ken Mauer, Tony Brown & Eric Dalen
Spread: ATL -5.0, O/U: 185.5
The Matchup
 |
 |
| Record: 20-22 | Record: 24-18 |
| On road: 7-13 | At home: 14-7 |
| Streak: Lost 5 | Streak: Won 2 |
| Leaders | Leaders |
| Buckets: Pierce (18.9 ppg) | Buckets: Josh Smith (16.7 ppg) |
| Boards: Garnett (7.1 rpg) | Boards: Al Horford (11.0 rpg) |
| Dimes: Rondo (11.1 apg) | Dimes: Jeff Teague (6.7 apg) |
| For the Stat Geeks: | For the Stat Geeks: |
| Offensive Rating: 101.9 (27th NBA) | Offensive Rating: 103.8 (19th NBA) |
| Defensive Rating: 103.2 (6th NBA) | Defensive Rating: 103.3 (9th NBA) |
| Pace: 91.3 (20th NBA) | Pace: 91.5 (18th NBA) |
Last time
In one of the few games I’ve missed this season, the Celtics beat the Hawks, 89-81, earlier this month. Paul Pierce scored 17 of his 26 points in the 3rd quarter as the Celtics fought back from a 15-point halftime deficit.
This time
Get it to: Kevin Garnett
He rebounded well against the Knicks, but managed just 8 points on 9 shots. I want Garnett to be more assertive on offense, especially if the Hawks top big men are banged up (see Wildcard below).
Gotta stop: Josh Smith
The man many Celtics fans covet is coming off a 30 point, 13 rebound, 8 assist performance vs Charlotte on Wednesday.
Three key players are listed as questionable; Al Horford (hamstring), Zaza Pachulia (Achilles), and Devin Harris (ankle). The trio missed Wednesday night’s game vs Charlotte. Harris isn’t much of an impact player, but the loss of Horford and/or Zaza could be significant.
How we see it goin’ down
Despite a weak crowd, the Hawks are playing well at home and the Celtics blow on the road. Atlanta wants to avenge the Jan. 5th debacle in Boston, while the Celtics look like a puppy who’s tired of getting kicked.
The Celtics haven’t lost 6 in a row since April 2007. That’s how far this team has sunk. They are approaching ineptitude we haven’t seen since the pre-KG years.
I wish I could say the Green will stop the skid in Atlanta, but I fear tonight’s game is just another shovel load of dirt tossed on the coffin.
Hawks 97
Celtics 90
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