Why Did the Celts Lose Game 3 Poll

[SShoreFan]

Well, they got the loss out of the way, I now cannot wait until Monday night!!

In the meantime -- let the useless finger pointing begin.

I cast my vote on the fact that the Hawks were just flat out in a zone and I think the bubble will pop on Monday.

What do you think?

[Roy Hobbs]

Some combination of the first four, plus lack of intensity, selfish play, and poor officiating.

[QuinielaBox]

The Celtics played a very uncharacteristically poor game and the Hawks played very well. This game was completely unwinnable from the start of the 2nd half with the clock malfunctions throwing the Celtics out of focus for the entire 2nd half. As a result, they get to play at least one extra playoff game they hadn't planned on.

It is convenient to blame Violet Palmer for our woes but it was our lackadasical effort that cost us the game.

See my blog for more details.

[fairweatherfan06]

Josh Smith is a 25%  3 point shooter and he hit 3 or 4 3's last night?....Yeah..........not likely to happen again. They were on fire last night, they would've been tough to beat even if Boston played well (and they didn't).  Basically these youngins get enough confidence and they play better, so the Celtics need to get on their head early and pound on them all game (like the first 2 games) because they can play from out front, but not from behind.

[keepthefaith]

i feel pierce should have been on the court in the fourth quarter for more than the final 7 mins. i thought he should have gone in at about the 10 minute mark. i also felt rondo should have been in for more than the final 6 mins or so. rondo would have helped stop the bleeding on d (because sam wasnt really playing any) and pierce would have helped to get the offense going. the celts still might not have come all the way back but i def think it would have been more of a ball game.

[EJPLAYA]

Defensive Rebounding, plain and simple. They got the offensive boards and second chance points. Without so many of those we win.

[Bankshot]

i feel pierce should have been on the court in the fourth quarter for more than the final 7 mins. i thought he should have gone in at about the 10 minute mark. i also felt rondo should have been in for more than the final 6 mins or so. rondo would have helped stop the bleeding on d (because sam wasnt really playing any) and pierce would have helped to get the offense going. the celts still might not have come all the way back but i def think it would have been more of a ball game.

I said in another thread that PP and Rondo only playing 30 minutes in a playoff game is inexcusable. Has Pierce ever played 30 minutes or less in a playoff game that wasn't a blowout?  I doubt it.  I'm sorry, but Doc is just an awful, awful, awful coach and I don't see my beloved C's getting #17 with him as coach if this is the way he plans on coaching in the playoffs

[Chief]

I thought I woud never say this, but maybe the Celtics shoud play small against Josh Smith. Let Paul play pf against Smith.

Rondo
Ray
Posey
Paul
KG

bench

Cassell
House
Tony
Powe



Sorry Perk

[EJPLAYA]

I thought I woud never say this, but maybe the Celtics shoud play small against Josh Smith. Let Paul play pf against Smith.

Rondo
Ray
Posey
Paul
KG

bench

Cassell
House
Tony
Powe



Sorry Perk

I don't mind PP on Smith, but to go smaller against a younger more athletic team that is killing us on the boards wouldn't be wise.

[Who]

I thought I woud never say this, but maybe the Celtics shoud play small against Josh Smith. Let Paul play pf against Smith.

Small ball Chief? Say it isn't so? I never thought I'd see the day.

Garnett is the C's best defensive option against Smith. Josh is scared of him and hardly ever posts him up. Putting a small on Josh gives Atlanta an outlet in the halfcourt because he can post Paul or Posey up. Smith's only averaging like 13ppg in 5 matchups against the C's. He just got hot, the man shoots 25% from three (this is a man that's taken 100 threes a season for three years, that number is an accurate reflection of his shooting ability) he's not someone who makes 2-3 clutch threes in the fourth normally. Very doubtful he does it again.

The Celtics shouldn't change a thing. Just play their game, Atlanta can't win if they do that. Starting with offensive execution.

[FLCeltsFan]

The Celtics stopped playing the defense that got them to this point.  They weren't playing team defense and were all trying too hard individually.  They need to get back to team play.

Also, I really think that shot clock thing had an effect on the game.  Game was tied at 56 going into the third.  The Celtics typically come out strong in the third and take over.  The Celtics usually work the clock down as they swing the ball and look for the open man and the best look at the basket.  Many of their shots will come well under 10 seconds on the shot clock. The Hawks on the other hand shoot mostly within the first 15 seconds of the Shot clock.    With the PA guy seemingly using 2 different watches to count down the final seconds it threw the Celtics off of their game.  They ended the quarter down 10.  Then, when the shot clocks mysteriously reappeared with just over 6 to go in the 4th, the Celtics went on a run.  I have to believe that the shot clock mess affected the Celtics much more than the Hawks.   

[incoherent]

SHOT CLOCK

[Chief]

I thought I woud never say this, but maybe the Celtics shoud play small against Josh Smith. Let Paul play pf against Smith.

Small ball Chief? Say it isn't so? I never thought I'd see the day.

Garnett is the C's best defensive option against Smith. Josh is scared of him and hardly ever posts him up. Putting a small on Josh gives Atlanta an outlet in the halfcourt because he can post Paul or Posey up. Smith's only averaging like 13ppg in 5 matchups against the C's. He just got hot, the man shoots 25% from three (this is a man that's taken 100 threes a season for three years, that number is an accurate reflection of his shooting ability) he's not someone who makes 2-3 clutch threes in the fourth normally. Very doubtful he does it again.

The Celtics shouldn't change a thing. Just play their game, Atlanta can't win if they do that. Starting with offensive execution.

I think Paul could get Smith into foul trouble quickly. Smith loves to block shots and Paul loves to draw fouls. Maybe a perfect combo. With Smith out, the Celtics could start doing layup drills.

[jay_jay54]

Lack of intensity from 4 out of the 5 starters.No consistent bench roatation,which didn't allow a chemistry to develop at any period,when bench players came in.Doc inconsitency in who will play each game.Player lack confidence it seemed when coming off the bench.Poor officiating(especially Violet).She seems to be hard on BBD everytime she refs when he plays.BBD was the only bench player who brought some intensity to the floor from bench players.Powe never got into any flow because,he never didn't play enough minutes.So,half goes to the players,split the rest between the coach,and refs.

[Redz]

Well, they got the loss out of the way, I now cannot wait until Monday night!!

In the meantime -- let the useless finger pointing begin.

I cast my vote on the fact that the Hawks were just flat out in a zone and I think the bubble will pop on Monday.

What do you think?

I'm going with your theory on this one.  Tip your hats and hopefully use it as a wake-up call that cruise-control time is over.