Thank god that’s over. I love a grit and balls playoff dogfight but this team was borderline unwatchable in the playoffs. Even the victories were brutal.
The Hawks choked out the Celtics, 104-92, to win this series in 6 games. Atlanta’s recipe for victory was the same: swarm Isaiah Thomas and dare the others to beat them. The others couldn’t. Boston shot 36% and 21% from 3 tonight. When the Celtics got into the paint, they were greeted by a brick wall of shot blocking defense that resembled the 1990 Georgetown Hoyas. When the Celtics found some offense, their defense disappeared (Atlanta dropped 39 in the 3rd quarter).
Thomas (25 points, 10 assists) had little help. Evan Turner and Jae Crowder shot a combined 9-32. Jonas Jerebko (13 points, 5-9 FG) was good early and Marcus Smart (13 points, 4-11 FG) had a decent stretch in the 3rd quarter.
Kelly Olynyk looked really bad. I realize he’s playing with a bum shoulder, but he looks like a guy who has missed 18 months with a severe knee injury. Total deer in headlights. Brad Stevens tried RJ Hunter, but he played frazzled. Tyler Zeller shook off the cobwebs for 8 points in the 4th quarter, but the Celtics need much more by that point.
I never liked the match-up with Atlanta and the odds decreased once Avery Bradley and Olynyk went down. The shortcomings of this roster (shooting, shooting and more shooting) were magnified in this series. I’m frustrated the season ended in another 1st round playoff loss, but this off-season is going to be a blast.
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