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Atlanta Hawks (6-0) at Boston Celtics (7-1) Wednesday, November 12
7:30PM ET
Game #9, Home Game #5
TV: CSN HD, SportSouth, NBA LP 752
Radio: WEEI, 790 The Zone
TD Banknorth Garden Probable Starters PG Rajon Rondo PPG 8.6 REB 3.9 ASST 6.3
SG Ray Allen PPG 15.5 REB 5.3 ASST 2.6
SF Paul Pierce PPG 18.8 REB 7.6 ASST 4.0
PF Kevin Garnett PPG 15.4 REB 10.0 ASST 1.6
C Kendrick Perkins PPG 5.4 REB 7.4 BLk 2.5
Reserves Reserves
Tony Allen
Glen Davis
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Brian Scalabrine
Patrick O'Bryant
JR Giddens
Bill Walker
Sam Cassell
Injuries:Paul Pierce (hand) will play
Rondo (body) will play
Probable InactiveJR Giddens
Patrick O'Bryant
Sam Cassell
Probable Starters PG Mike Bibby PPG 14.2 REB 2.4 ASST 5.6
SG Joe Johnson PPG 25.2 REB 5.2 ASST 3.8
SF Marvin Williams PPG 10.8 REB 6.0 ASST 1.3
PF Al Horford PPG 8.8 REB 8.8 ASST 3.2
C Zaza Pachulia PPG 4.2 REB 5.2 ASST 0.8
ReservesAcie Law
Solomon Jones
Maurice Evans
Flip Murray
Othello Hunter
Randolph Morris
Mario West
Speedy Claxton
Thomas Gardner
Josh Smith
Injuries Josh Smith (ankle) day to day
Speedy Claxton (knee) out
Probable InactiveJosh Smith
Speedy Claxton
Thomas Gardner
Key Matchups vs
Bibby was very vocal about the Celtics fans during the playoffs, calling them bandwagon fans. I am sure they haven't forgotten that so expect him to be booed early and often.
vs
Joe Johnson will try to get the best of his former team. He has been averaging over 25 points per game and it will be up to Ray Allen to try to contain him in this game.
Honorable MentionKevin Garnett vs Al Horford
Al Horford's taunting earned the Celtics' Captain a fine when he retaliated with the so called gang sign in the playoffs. Expect KG to send him a message in this game.
Game Notes The Hawks took the Celtics to 7 games in the first round of the playoffs, surprising many fans on both sides. They started where they left off in the playoffs with a 5-0 start this season beating the Magic, 76ers, Hornets, Raptors and Thunder with the first 4 teams all having playoff aspirations and the Hornets being favored by some to win it all.
The Hawks took a page from the Celtics book and are doing it with defense, holding teams to 85.8 points per game which is second only to the Lakers 84.4. The Celtics come in third at 86.75. They are limiting teams to 40.8% field goal percentage which is 3rd best in the league behind the Celtics 38.2% and the Lakers 39%. This should be a defensive battle and the Celtics would be very wise not to start slow in this game because they may not be able to make it up against this Hawks defense.
The Hawks are playing in the second of back to back games, having faced the Bulls the night before and the Celtics had the previous night off but are playing in their 3rd game in 4 nights.