| Atlanta Hawks 08-09 Game #74 | ||
|---|---|---|
|
@ |
 |
| 54-19 |
42-30 |
|
| Phillips Arena |
||
| March 27, 2009, 7:30 PM | ||
| FS South, Hawks Radio Network, NBA Audio League Pass | ||
| Probable starters: | ||
| Rajon Rondo | PG | Mike Bibby |
|
Ray Allen |
SG | Joe Johnson |
| Paul Pierce | SF | Mo Evans |
| Kevin Garnett | PF | Josh Smith |
| Kendrick Perkins | C | Al Horford |
|
|
||
Hawks Injury Report: Marvin Williams is out, and Acie Law has a hurt back but probably will not play regardless.
Celtics Injury Report: Kevin Garnett will play limited minutes, Rajon Rondo twisted his ankle Wednesday but is expected to play (unless the Celtic fans have their way), and a whole heap of reserves are out.
Blogging With the Enemy: CelticsBlog
Predicted bane of the Hawks existence: Until the Hawks stop a penetrating point guard, I think I am just going to keep picking them (even injured)...Rajon Rondo. But I am sure Paul Pierce will make it to the line at least 13 times.
Game Preview:
How bad is Mike Bibby at defense? Today, Sekou Smith advocated dressing Craig Claxton for possible work as a defensive specialist. I am not sure if seeing Speedy in uniform would feel like finding money in my pocket I didn't know was there, or that feeling of forgetting gum was in your pants as you take them out of the dryer.
For those of you who just want to win this one to stick it to the Celtics, go read this post (ht Hoopinion) Home heavy schedule or not, the Hawks have a gauntlet to end the season. The 4th seed is not assured and an undermanned Celtics team is ripe not just for some hateful pickings, but some prudent picking as well. Because the Hawks still desperately need wins. 50 victories is nothing; the 4th seed is everything.
Keys to the game
- The crowd. Hawks fans are four out of the last four when it comes to showing up loud against Boston. That needs to continue.
- Al Horford on Kendrick Perkins. Al has had moments of serious sucess. And with the Celtics thin line, sucess could be as simple as foul trouble for pouty man Perkins.
- Better team defense than what was demonstrated against the Spurs. Put another way, any team defense.
- It has been noted before, Boston has trouble guarding Joe Johnson.
I am heading to the Highlight factory tonight. I hope you can to. A small request, when Ryan Cameron asks the crowd to yell "defense" do it. The first time feels a little weird, a little immature, the third time you realize why you are a fan of the NBA.
Hit the comment thread up if you can't make it. Defense chants are welcome there too.
I leave you with this.
And yes, Boston fans I know you won the series, and no, I don't care.
Go Hawks!