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Atlanta Hawks (2-3) at Boston Celtics (3-2)
Thursday, May 10, 2012
8:00 PM ET
Game #6, Home Game #3
TV: TNT, CSNNE, TSN, SPSO
Radio: WEEI
TD Garden 
Probable Starters 
PG: #9 Rajon Rondo .................................................... SG: #0 Avery Bradley
C: #5 Kevin Garnett
SF: #34 Paul Pierce .............................................. PF #30 Brandon Bass
Celtics Reserves Marquis Daniels
Mickael Pietrus
Keyon Dooling
E'twaun Moore
Greg Stiemsma
JaJuan Johnson
Ryan Hollins
Sasha Pavlovic
Injuries Ray Allen (ankle) probable
Avery Bradley (shoulder) probable
Greg Stiemsma (feet) probable
Mickael Pietrus (hamstring) probable
Paul Pierce (knee) probable
Probable Starters
PG: #0 Jeff Teague ............................................ SG:#2 Joe Johnson
C: #15 Al Horford
SF: #24 Marvin Williams ............................................. PF: #5 Josh Smith
Reserves
Tracy McGrady
Ivan Johnson
Jerry Stackhouse
Erick Dampier
Jannero Pargo
Willie Green
Vladimir Radmanovic
Kirk Hinrich
Injuries
Zaza Pachulia (foot) day to day
[
b]Game Notes [/b]
Here we are at game 6. The Celtics wasted a big opportunity to move on to the second round and get some rest along the way by letting game 5 slip away from them. For whatever reason, the Celtics never played their best in game 5 and let the Hawks hang around and pull out a 1 point win.
The Hawks brought out a big line up to start that game and since they were successful with it, will more than likely start the same lineup with Joe Johnson slipping to the 2, Marvin Williams starting at the 3 and the very healthy looking Al Horford starting at center. With this bigger lineup, they beat the Celtics on the boards and in the paint and they beat the Celtics on hustle.
The Celtics need to approach game 6 with the mindset of game 7. They absolutely don't want to face this Hawks team in a game 7 on their home court. While the Celtics are banged up it appears that the Hawks are getting healthier. There was no sign of rust or hesitation from either Smith or Horford. On the other hand, Paul Pierce was hesitant and a step slow all night, shooting 7-17 from the field and at times walking gingerly on his sore knee.
The Celtics have given the Hawks some life and now it's time to snuff out any hope that they can win this series. The Celtics must come out strong and leave no doubt who the better team is. They can't give them a reason to think they can hang around and pull out another win. This is a must win game and the Celtics need to play like it from the opening jump to the final buzzer. The longer the Celtics allow the Hawks to hang around in this series, the more dangerous they become.
Key Players for the 
Rajon Rondo seemed to be somewhat passive in the first half of game 5 and as a result, the Celtics also seemed to be playing somewhat passive. After the game, he wasn't in good spirits and that could be good for the Celtics. They need "mad Rondo" who will come out and be aggressive from the very start of the game. As Rondo goes, so go the Celtics. Triple Double Rondo needs to show up for this one.
The Celtics need their Captain to be "The Truth" in this game. In game 5 he seemed to be a step slow and his jumpers were off for the most part and he couldn't even make his layups. He wouldn't blame the knee injury for his performance, but it probably is the reason for it. Pierce is tough and plays through pain, but he needs his mobility and lift to be effective. Whether Pierce's knee will be any better in this game remains to be seen but we can only hope so.
Key Players for the 
Al Horford showed no ill effects from the injury that kept him out most of the season. He played 41 minutes, scored 19 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. He also played stellar defense on Rondo, preventing the Celtics from getting a game winning shot at the end. The Celtics have to find a way to keep him from having another big game.
Josh Smith has had 2 huge games for the Hawks and they have won both of them. In game 1, Smith had 22 points, 18 rebounds, and 4 assists while in game 5, he had a line of 13 points, 16 rebounds, and 6 assists. The Celtics have got to put more pressure on Smith and somehow keep him off the boards.
Key off the Bench
and
The Celtics need Mickael Pietrus and Ryan Hollins to give them some quality minutes off the bench. It's certain that Ray will hit some big shots and the Celtics will need that, especially if Pierce is still not 100% but the Celtics also need Pietrus to his his shots (he was 1-4 in game 5) and they especially need Hollins to crash the boards (he had 4 rebounds in game 5).
and
Kirk Hinrich and Erick Dampier
Hinrich hit some big shots off the bench for the Hawks (he was 3-4 from the field and 1-1 from beyond the arc. Dampier also came off the bench to give them some muscle in the paint and keep the Celtics away from the basket. The Hawks depended heavily on their starters, who played big minutes, but they did get a boost from these two especially when they came into the game.
Keys to the GameDefense - This is the key to every game and to winning a championship this year. The Celtics must get stops and disrupt the Hawks offense early and often. They have to keep the Hawks from getting to the basket for easy layups and tip ins. They also must defend the 3 point line. They left Marvin Williams wide open for 3 very easy three pointers from the corner in game 5. They have to close out on the shooters and defend the paint. They also have to pressure the ball every chance they get.
Rebound - Rebounding is key to controlling the tempo and flow of the game. The Celtics must limit tip ins and second chance points by crashing the boards and limiting the Hawks rebounds. It's not a coincidence that the Celtics were out-rebounded in their losses 50-41 and 41-33 but they won the rebounding battle 45-40 and 51-48 in 2 of their wins and were narrowly out rebounded 40-37 in the 3rd win. Rebounding is effort and desire and when the Celtics show both effort and desire on the boards that translates to all the other areas of the game. The Celtics must crash the boards as a team and win the rebounding battle.
Be Aggressive - The Celtics must be the more aggressive team. They have to be aggressive in going to the basket, especially if their jumpers aren't falling. As fatigue becomes more of a factor, being aggressive in getting into the paint will become more important. They also must be aggressive in going after loose balls and rebounds. They can't let the Hawks out hustle them. In game 5, the Hawks were definitely the more aggressive team for most of the game. The Celtics have to play like they want it more and out-hustle the Hawks on EVERY play.
Focus- The Celtics have to come out focused and keep that focus until the final buzzer. They have gone through periods in each game so far (except game 4 for the most part) where they lose their focus and make careless passes and allow the Hawks to make a run. They must keep their composure and their focus whether they are up or down and whether they are getting the calls or not. The Hawks will be desperate to keep their season alive and the Celtics have to match that desperation with focus and smart play.
X-FactorsInjuries and Officiating
As with each game so far, injuries could be the x-factor. Will Paul Pierce's knee limit his effectiveness? Will Josh Smith or Al Horford show any effects of their injuries that seemed to be completely healed in game 5? Officiating is also always a factor. The Celtics will be at home and so hopefully get the benefit of the doubt in calls, but that's not always the case. Will Herr Stern and his minions want a game 7 for the ratings?
Topic: Hawks (2-3) at Celtics (3-2) Game 6 5/10 (Read 137526 times)