Intimidation factor
Well, it's a series now.
The Celts should have had all the motivation they needed coming in to Game 4 in Atlanta. Instead, it was the Hawks who played like they had a chip on their shoulder.
It sure didn't start out looking that way. The Celts brought the hammer down hard at the start of the game, taking early leads of 5-0, 8-2, and 16-3. This game was following the script of every other Celtics blowout of the past 85 games: lockdown defense, great ball movement, and wide-open outside shots.
And then the wheels came off.
It wasn't necessarily anything as egregious as the overall listless effort in Game 3. The Celtics' defense was light years better throughout Game 4, as was their ball movement. But three key things helped lead to their second loss in two games:
The C's ended the third quarter on an 8-0 run and seemed to be taking control of the game heading into the fourth with a 10-point lead. Same deal as the first-quarter run ... most people were probably thinking "Well, the Celts have taken over. They are not going to lose tonight." I know I did.
But the Hawks, to their credit, didn't.
They took the blow once again, and came back fighting, quickly clawing back into the lead and shifting the momentum heading into the last half of the quarter. The fact that the Hawks responded to every run the Celts threw at them with an even better run was surprising, and due in no small part to the fact that they haven't let the incredible record or talent in Green get into their heads. After withstanding the haymaker at the start of the game, and again at the end of the third, to come back and pretty quickly regain the lead, that was a huge statement and they seemed to have erased any lingering doubts of their ability to hang with the Celts in the series.
As for Joe Johnson ... what can you say? He got on one of those Paul Pierce-esque streaks at the end of the game, and carried the Hawks across the finish line.
I think it's time to burn my Kedrick Brown rookie card.
I'll be the first to admit the officiating in the game was pretty bad. The disparity between the amount of contact that was allowed on either end of the court was startling. But that's the NBA, you have to expect things like that. You can't let a lack of a call affect how you play the game. And it seems the Celts did that once the Hawks made their runs.
As for free-throw shooting, there's no excuse there. Pierce and Garnett were a combined 6 for 12, and they seemed to miss the front end of every opportunity. I hate to be the one who brings this back up, but it was Paul's free throw woes that hurt the C's in his past playoff appearances, and although that concern seems to have evaporated over the past few years, it must still linger there in the back of his brain, and you only hope that it doesn't come back to bite him like it did in the past.
3) The Celtics vets are the ones losing their cool, while the rookies looked like the composed ones: KG has gotten chippy with his after-the-fact elbows over the last few games, and, warranted or not, that's something he has to rein in, especially in the playoffs. If not, guys like ZaZa Pachulia continue to try and mix it up and hope KG does something stupid.
Sam Cassell should know better than to get into a shoving match with someone more than 10 years his junior.
Kendrick Perkins has been in the league long enough to know even putting a toe over the sideline during an on-court scuffle could result in serious penalty.
And although Pierce's alleged "threatening gesture" near the end of Game 3 seemed pretty innocuous, he has to know that any type of response to the Hawks showboating will only add fuel to Atlanta's fire, and only prove that this young Hawks team is getting into the Celtics' heads.
Meanwhile, guys like Rajon Rondo, Glen Davis, and Leon Powe continue to give all-out effort and perform at a high level without getting into, as Tommy likes to say, "extracurricular activities."
-----
So what now? All bets are off. That's not to say that I would bet on the Hawks, I still think this is the Celtics' series to win, but it all comes down to Game 5. It's the first must-win of the season for the men in Green, because if the Hawks take that one, they could be favored in Game 6 for the first time in the series. We'll see if it's a challenge the Celtics can rise to. If they don't, the magical run could be at an end, way, way, too early.
I still don't think it'll happen. But I'm a lot more worried than I was 24 hours ago.
Very good analysis... one thing I'd add: The Celts got into a rhythm in the second half where they seemed to rush their offense and settle for really bad jump shots early in the possession. At one point, I thought that was Antoine Walker in Paul Pierce's jersey. They needed to slow things down, and get to the rim.
It's so hard for me as a former INTRAMURAL ref to understand why NBA refs are so bad. I see NBA zebras make basic fundamental positioning errors time and again. The key to reffing is consistency. If you're going to call it tight, call it tight on both sides... if you're going to allow physical play, be consistent. The Celtics got called for more phantom 'over the back' calls than I've ever seen, and ZaZa (appropriate name) never left the key in several 2nd half possessions, and yet the Celtics were the ones who had 2 defensive three seconds calls.
The bottom line, though is if they made their free throws and took better shots, this is a 3-1 series.
I'm glad to get away from all those bandwagon Hawks fans.
Bandwagon Hawks fans? If that isn't the pot calling the kettle black. Where were all the Celtics fans last year? Give me a break. Nobody likes paying to watch misery, which is what the Hawks have been for almost a decade. This is just pent up excitement from fans who grew up with Dominique and good Hawks teams and have had to suffer through years of just awful basketball.
I'm glad we made this interesting. Hawks fans have known that we have the talent to play with anyone; however, we have suffered from a lack of leadership. Luckily for us, Joe Johnson and Josh Smith are maturing right before our eyes. Here's to (at least) two more great games.
I don't want to sound like the typical New England fan, but we are in trouble. The body language of the Celtics looks horrible. I truly think Paul Pierce's back is bothering him. I don't see him going to basket as much as he usually does. If Kevin Garnett is suspended for game 5 that might be a hurdle difficult to get over. With Paul Pierce injured, Kevin Garnett out, Ray Allen unable to stop Joe Johnson, Kendrick Perkins unable to go strong to the hoop without setting himself for what seems like 10 seconds and the refs not calling any charges against Atlanta, things look a little bleak. The one Doc Rivers gripe I have was why Rondo wasn't in the game during the fourth over Eddie House (who did not do well). Rondo has actually been the most consistent player for the Cs. Granted I know Rondo needs rest, but honestly he is young and we NEEDED the game. Eventually the Hawks got the lead during that time and closed the door on game four soon after. I hope I'm wrong, but things aren't looking good. This is the time championship teams rise to the occasion. We'll see if these Celtics have it in them.
Can you tell me in the history of the playoffs where any team being the Lakers, Celtics win 60 plus games and not sweep the #8 team who has only 37 wins! MAJOR CHOKE! Phil Jackson, Pops, or any great coach would NEVER let this happen. Doc needs to go back to the booth!
If Stern has balls (a real stretch), Garnett (for the high elbows), Pachullia ( for getting in Garnett's face) and Perkins and Williams (for stepping on the court) will be sitting out game five. Do I have to say "Advantage Hawks"?
Oh boy the Celts complaining about fouls, that is just hilarious. And bandwagon?? Dude you have serious issues with reality, please take a loss like a man. Don't cry, complain or blame. You've got a hall of famer, studs like Pierce and Allen, plus a couple of NBA champs on your bench. If you lose, you got beat.
I can't imagine anything more terrible than being a Boston Fan. After witnessing the biggest choke in history (Patriots)...can Boston stomach another one? Will the city crumble? The Big Dig collapse? The only thing I can imagine worse than being a Boston Fan right now...would be being from Boston. Uhh, Barf.
I think Doc did a poor job of coaching in this game. He waited until less than 2 minutes left in the game before putting Paul Pierce on Joe Johnson. It is clear that Ray Allen cannot cover Johnson. Pierce or Posey would be a better matchup as the size would make it difficult to get a shot off. He may be a little quicker off the dribble, but the added size would make up for it and result in contested shot. The Celtics have not had to adjust their matchups before. They've been relying on the other team to adjust. The Hawks are clearly winning the matchups and are dominating in intensity. The Celts better make some changes and ratchet up the intensity 5 fold or they will be in trouble. Home court can only help so much. They keep getting compared to the big 3 of the 80's, but those teams would have put Atlanta away by now. They would never let an inferior team back into it. This team went from being the favorite to win it all to having a chance to lose in the first round. They need to greatly increase their level of intensity and sense of urgency.
Just watch how the Celts are going to smack them the next two games. The bottom line is that they have way too much talent to lose to this team. I don't think Atlanta can win in Boston. And honestly, the Hawks are happy to prove they are not pushovers. But that's as far as they go.
Both teams played hard..........
I fully expect the C's to come out and take us down in the next two games, but the idea that the Hawks were somehow getting all the calls from refs against the best team in the league is laughable. The Hawks got to the line more in Game 4 because they were the aggressor. They're a younger, more athletic team that has finally (and trust me, I mean FINALLY) started taking the ball to the basket and using that athleticism to its advantage. Hawks fans (there are a lot of us out here; we've just stayed away in recent years...not unlike a good deal of C's fans...because the team has sucked) have been begging for this all year. I cannot stress how huge this series has been for basketball in the ATL. Go Hawks!
being the underdog is a beautiful thing. I have never heard so many people complain about refs calling. the celtics look old out there. The hawks were just taking it to them and they were always a step behind. Joe was breaking all kinds of ankles out there. The celtics may not admit it, but they underestimated the Hawks. GO HAWKS
Worst officiated game I have ever seen...
As a Suns fan, I am very interested to see how the league (Stern) responds to the conduct last night. The entire Suns-Spurs series was affected when Amari was suspended for merely reacting and moving towards the Horry Cheap Shot on Nash. If there are no suspensions in this instance, it will show the reality of league manipulation in determining game/series outcomes.
I wish Doc had given Tony Allen a chance. A Playoff series come down to matchups and the matchups haven't been favoring the C's given the way the refs called the game. Tony would have at least given them solid D and with his ability to go to the hoop he probably added a few more fouls to their bigs
Yes, RadBurn, it really really sucks to be a Boston fan, and to be from Boston. Thank you for your concern. Our 16 NBA titles, 7 World Series banners, 5 Stanley Cups, and 3 Superbowl wins leave us quivering with jealousy towards your... um... let's see here... three Braves' World Series wins. One of which came when they were based in Boston.
But more than our shameful record in professional sports, you are entirely correct is pointing out how awful it is to live here in Boston. In fact, all of us up here spend our every waking moment consumed with jealousy for the great city of Atlanta: its majestic strip mall ambience, its suffocating heat and humidity, its many droughts and tornadoes. How lucky you are!
Bless you, wonderful RadBurn, for understanding our horrible, horrible pain. Please pray for us.
Halarious. Boston fans are complaining about foul calls. Did you not see games 1 and 2. Paul Pierce would literally run directly into a Hawks player and get a foul call. Josh Smith and Joe Johnson were fouled numerous times, and got no calls. Personally, I hate the officiating in the NBA, but this is what happens on your home court. Did you not see Kevin Garrnett, screaming and cursing at Hawks players during the first two games, not to mention the game that was played at the end of the season when he was trying to punk Al Horford, and Sam Cassel was dancing and pointing at his groin area after he hit a couple of shots. I of course am a Hawks fan, and have been for all of my years on earth (35). I do not think we will win the series, but we will compete, and we are surely not scared. I read some other comments on the other blog saying what will the Celtics do when they play Cleveland. I will personally tell you that the Hawks are a much worse matchup for you than Cleveland. Mike Bibby is better than West, LeBron is better than Joe, but as you saw last night, Joe can be very good. Marvin Williams is horrible, but Cleveland does not have anybody as good as Childress. Josh Smith, when he plays under control is better than anyone on the Cleveland team besides LeBron, and Al Horford is Just as good as Big Z. Don't be fooled by the Hawks mediocre record. They have been held back by horrible coaching. The coach still does not use the bench like he should. Really I hope that no one gets suspended, but it will be unbelievable if Garnett does not get one game. He actually tried to elbow a guy in the head, and he elbowed the referee. What did you want Zaza to do just stand there and take it. Halarious...................
I was at game four, & there were some sick faces with green on in the crowd. I can't say the Hawks are inferior...yeah maybe if you're comparing careers, and that's only because the Boston 2.5 party has played longer. Right now the Hawks are playing with more energy which has been there issue all year.
Get'em Hawks!!
doc please put tony allen on joe johnson
Rod,
Freethrows
Game 1 ATL 20-28 Bos 19-24
Game 2 ATL 31-40 Bos 19-26
Game 3 ATL 20-27 Bos 23-25
Game 4 ATL 29-33 Bos 10-18??
It's a great game until the refs decide the outcome..
Plain and simple...the Atlanta Hawks outplayed the Celts in Games 3 and 4. More hustle, more energy, more intensity, they just wanted it more. You could just see it. The only time the Celts looked good, was the opening 5 min and the third quarter, when they started playing defense like the #1 defense they are...And RadBurn...you got some balls calling out Boston my friend. where is atlanta at on the sports landscape right now? why dont you go hangout with Mike Vick in prison and go watch the Braves miss the playoffs again. Last time I checked, the red sox are the defending world champs, the patriots were 18-1 and the celtics had the best record in the NBA this season, so maybe when your basketball team wins two games you should just take a reality check and calm down before you hurt yourself.
RadBurn (comment #8) you obvously don't know anything about Boston ... maybe you should stop trying to blow bubbles with your chewing tobacco; it's not gum!
I'm a transplanted Bostonian who has been living in Atlanta for 15 years ... I know both cities very well.
The Boston area has one of the highest concentrations of colleges & universities including Harvard, MIT, Wellesley, & BC. The Atlanta area has GA Tech & UGA. Harvard & Wellesley graduates become CEO's; UGA grads end up on YouTube.
Atlanta is still a redneck city. Downtown Atlanta is full of scanky, low-life hoodlums & drug dealers, & except for the occasional sporting event, no one goes downtown after dark.
There ARE a few nice things about Atlanta ... my $500k home that would cost $900k in Boston, the winters are mild, & tennis is everywhere. Historically, culturally, & intellectually Atlanta does not rank in the top 10 in this country.
Welcome to the ATL Boston. "Them Kids Can Play!" especially in the "Sea of Red". It is youth against the end of careers. Class and style against the punk Pierce Bloods sign stupidity. It is a shame that Pierce has such little class. I was at the game and in the 4th qtr of both games he looked lost just like he has all of his career.
But we do enjoy having you drive 23 hours to see the game in the coolest city in the US and we hope you will come back on Friday night to gaze into the future.
J& J -
Try google. Look up NBA Attendance records for the Celtics and the Hawks last year.
the Celtics sold out 23 games, even with an 18 game Losing streak.
the Hawks didn't sell out a single game. Not one.
You're all on the Bandwagon. Game 3 didn't sell out until the Day of the game.
Folks, let's keep away from bashing each other and each other's cities, and focus on the teams, the games, the players, and the rest of the series.
I'm not sure if this was mentioned already but complaining about not getting enough freethrows? C'mon, thats a bad argument. Do you watch the game or stats? If the Celts are satisfied with shooting jumpers how will they get calls? As someone have posted here, the celts simply got intimidated driving to the paint and settled for jumpers. Argh!
I hope they're more aggressive on game 5.
Where are the comments about the horrible coaching! After the Hawks cut the lead from 10 to 5 in the fourth quarter, Doc decides to insert House at the point. Now, I like House but the guy hasn't played important minutes in about 2 weeks and it showed; none of his shots were even close and the C's lost Rondo's ability to penetrate and create possible layups and/or foul shots for the rest of the team.
On top of that, Doc allowed Ray Allen to guard (actually not guard) Johnson over and over again in the fourth. The one time Rondo picked up Johnson, he was called for an offensive foul. Then, when he finally did put Pierce on Johnson it was too late and Allen gave up an offensive rebound to Childress. Doc's got to lay down the law with Allen: hit your shots, get some freethows and guard somebody or else Tony Allen gets your minutes.
Doc Rivers should be fired if the Celtics do not win against the Alanta Hawks, or even fired for not using a very capable bench consisting of Big Baby Davis, Tony Allen and others more often, after all how do you think the Celtics got this far during the season, when some of their starters were hurt. Eddie House is a great shooter, but Doc hinders his effectiveness letting him sit on the bench and let 's his over all effectiveness suffer, also if the Celtics do not get by Atlanta then it will be another travesty which happened to the Dallas Mavericks vs. the Golden State Warriors a year ago this time, and if this occurs to the Celtics this time, then I will never root for the Celtics again as long as i live. The New England Patriots lost the Super Bowl last year because of a poor Defense, and since then I do not look at Pro Football anymore.
Let's keep the focus on basketball and not rants. Face the facts guys, the series is tied 2-2. Simple, beat the Hawks at home, come back to the ATL and beat us here and you go on. Lose at home at Wednesday, and the pressure is on.
What is a SPURS fan to do but laugh ! ?
LMAO! I love you Hawks fans. Hilarious! "We're young, there old... we won 2 games!!! Wooo Hooo!" Just wondering how many of you will be on this board Wednesday night after getting pissed on by at least 20 points?!?! It's great to support your team and despite the irregularity on the part of the refs (note: For those who claim the irregularity is because of ATL being more agrressive should take note of the FGM / FGA in the paint...) Regardless, I think its great to support your team, they did a great job and took care of business at home as they should. Joe Johnson was absolutely amazing! But let's be realistic guys... Between all the s#$$ talking on the part of the Hawks (most notably Al Horford) do you really think the Hawks have a chance of coming within 20 in Boston? See ya tomorrow night.
Who knew Bostonians were so thin-skinned? Funny!
The Hawks are a dismal organization in a dismal sports city. They have an ownership feud, they're tightwads, their GM is a clown and their coach struggles to get a consistent committed performance out of the team. The're not deep and they have maturity issues.
Despite all that, they just beat the best team in the NBA twice in a row. In the playoffs, no less. So perhaps you'll forgive a little irrational exuberance by fans who can't believe what they just saw.
the hawks have nothing to lose, and everything to gain! they've got the confidence and the momentum. the celtics better get it together! GO HAWKS
RadBurn said:
"I can't imagine anything more terrible than being a Boston Fan. After witnessing the biggest choke in history (Patriots)...can Boston stomach another one?"
I love this stuff.
Boston sports are a big joke now, but while everyone else in the country has been WATCHING us, win OR lose, where are their teams? That's right knocked the F out in the first or second round, if they even made the playoffs.
Don't get me wrong, Boston sports fans complain with the best of them, but to say we are choke artists or whatever... that's just ridiculous.
At least we can TALK about Dynasties and winning streaks and MAKING history without getting laughed out of the room...
If the Celtics continue to play 7 game series and the Lakers continue to sweep ill make sure to catch a flight from California to Boston for games 1 or 2. I always wanted to see LA rock the Celtics in the Garden! Brings back memories of when I was 15 growing up in SO. CAL. However I hated when the Celtics beat LA in the 80" s the worst summers of my life. Now its Kobe time and if Bynum is back for the finals good luck! Dispite my bias its good to see the Celtics back on top in the east. I LOVE THIS GAME! Anthony Oakland CA
The Celtics are going to fold like the Patriots. Eighteen and one. Eighteen and one. Eighteen and one.
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
Jesse Nunes
- He's got a bad case of Ed Pinck-eye and a Kevin Gamble-ing addiction.Ian Rider
- Ian still calls it the Fleetcenter. He doesn't love Walter.Matt Hafele
- Starts more SCAL-A-BRINE chants than Brian himself.stay in touch
browse this blog
by category