Hawks feel they have what it takes to take clincher
ATLANTA - The Atlanta Hawks have gone from being a nuisance to being a threat, and they are displaying sly smiles to go with their new status.
They held a loose, sometimes bubbly workout here yesterday afternoon, seemingly unafraid of what they might face in Game 7 against the Celtics today at TD Banknorth Garden.
"We have no pressure on us, we just have to go there, play basketball, be loose, and have fun," said guard Joe Johnson. "They were predicted to sweep us in the series, so we've got nothing to lose."
The Hawks have lost all three games played in Boston in this series - by an average of 22.3 points - while winning all three at Philips Arena.
The Hawks will not have their fans roaring at every comeback today, but they insist they've learned enough in their three road losses to make sure the Celtics do not run away with the decisive game.
"Make sure that we come out with a strong start, have a solid start, and make sure we're able to run offense," said center Al Horford, when asked the biggest lesson learned from the thumpings in Boston. "For some reason over there, we seem to get away from the stuff we do well, so we have to be able to come in and execute offense."
Horford said the intensity of the fans has energized the home teams and has been a trump card in the series.
"When we're home, we turn up the pressure; when they're home, they turn up the pressure the same way, so we have to be able to match that level," Horford said.
The Hawks, however, may not be at full strength because of the knee injury forward Marvin Williams suffered in the second half of Friday night's Game 6 win. The 6-foot-9-inch Williams, whose task has been to guard 6-6 Paul Pierce, came to yesterday's workout with his left knee wrapped in ice and is listed as doubtful for Game 7. Williams, however, insisted he will play.
The Hawks have received some solid play from reserves in this series, particularly Josh Childress, who is usually first off the bench to replace Williams. Williams, however, has a size advantage over Pierce and was instrumental in Atlanta rallying in Game 6. Pierce hit 5 of 7 shots in the first quarter, but was 0 for 2 in the second.
The Hawks, when they are at home, at least, have not settled for a jump shot, but have tried to attack the rim.
Atlanta has attempted 204 free throws in the series, compared with 133 for Boston, much to the dismay of Celtics coach Doc Rivers.
Johnson said he hopes today's game is played at a quick pace because he could see the Hawks, who have the third-youngest team in the NBA, wearing down the Celtics in Game 6.
"In the fourth quarter, I could see KG [Kevin Garnett] and [Kendrick] Perkins and all those guys were very tired, especially on pick-and-rolls, on one-on-one isolations," Johnson said. "They weren't coming as fast, sometimes they weren't coming at all.
"There was one time, I think, we were going to the free throw line and I saw all five of their players on the court hunched over grabbing their shorts."
When their workout was finished yesterday, the Hawks gathered around coach Mike Woodson, who said, "We can do something special."
Just sending the series to Game 7 already qualifies as special for a team that entered the playoffs with a 37-45 regular-season record.
From behind the players surrounding Woodson came the voice of assistant coach David Fizdale. "Know it in your heart that we can do this," he said.
