Game 4: Atlanta @ Boston

CelticBalla32 · Nov 9, 2007

<table border="1" class="gamePreview">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="center" colspan="2">
November 9, 2007 @ 7:30pm ET
TD BankNorth Garden (Boston, MA)
Game aired on CSN

</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="center">


Atlanta Hawks
(2-2)


</td>
<td class="center">


Boston Celtics
(3-0)


</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sectHeader">
<td colspan="2">
<h4 align="center">Projected Starters</h4>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="roster">
<td>


PG Law SG Johnson

SF Williams PF Smith C Horford


</td>
<td>
 

PG Rondo SG Allen

SF Pierce PF Garnett C Perkins

 
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sectHeader">
<td colspan="2">
<h4>Team Stats</h4>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="seasonStats">
<td>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>94.8 PPG (21st)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Field Goal %</td>
<td>44.0% (19th)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">3-Point %</td>
<td>32.2% (23rd)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>46.0 RPG (7th)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>18.0 APG (26th)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
<td>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>106.7 PPG (7th)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Field Goal %</td>
<td>52.1% (1st)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">3-Point %</td>
<td>39.4% (8th)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>42.0 RPG (19th)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>24.3 APG (3rd)
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sectHeader">
<td colspan="2">
<h4>Team Leaders</h4>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="seasonStats">
<td>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>Joe Johnson (20.3 PPG)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>Al Horford (10.8 RPG)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>Joe Johnson (5.5 APG)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
<td>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>Ray Allen (24.0 PPG)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>Kevin Garnett (15.3 RPG)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>Kevin Garnett (6.0 APG)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sectHeader">
<td colspan="2">
<h4>Key Matchup
</h4>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="prediction">
<td colspan="2">
<div align="center">

Josh Smith vs. Kevin Garnett

</div>

In their own right, these guys are two of the most versatile forwards in the NBA. Garnett is Mr. Do-It-All on both ends of the floor, while Smith's freakish athleticism and length allows him to disrupt perimeter players as well as quick bigs. Both of these guys have gotten off to tremendous starts, and while Garnett is clearly the better player, there's no doubt in my mind that this will be a very intriguing matchup to pay attention to.

</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sectHeader">
<td colspan="2">
<h4>Keys to the Game</h4>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="keyStrategy">
<td>
<ul>[*]Rack Up Transition Buckets: There's no way Atlanta is going to beat the Celtics in a halfcourt offense. They need to push the tempo, convert off turnovers, and make sure they outrun them. If they get the transition game going with their incredible bunch of young athletes, they have a shot at stealing this game. If it turns into a halfcourt matchup, Boston's defense will eat them up.

[*]Attack the Rim: It's pretty much a known fact that the only way you can stop Kevin Garnett is to get him in foul trouble. Williams, Smith, Johnson, Childress, etc. - all need to attack the rim, try to get both Garnett and Perkins in foul trouble, and pick up easy points at the line.

[*]Hit Open Shots: Again, Boston's halfcourt defense is clearly one of the best in the league. Atlanta needs to move the ball around, but make it a point to knock down the freebies. Boston has held everybody but Denver to shoot under 40%, and even then, Denver's percentage was around 38% until garbage time kicked in. Atlanta needs to knock down open J's and get what they can.[/list]
</td>
<td>
<ul>[*]Ball Movement: Keep it coming, guys! The ball movement has been excellent, especially in the Denver game. If they move the ball tonight as well as they did on Wednesday, there's no way Atlanta is going to stop us. They are sneaky in the passing lanes, however, so make smart passes in the process.

[*]Bench Play: With James Posey out of the lineup, one or two guys off the bench really need to elevate their games. Whether it be Tony Allen, Brian Scalabrine, Leon Powe, Eddie House, whoever... somebody needs to step up off the bench, especially defensively.

[*]Own the Boards: Against a team that likes to go small and has smaller players sliding up a position, the Celtics need to pound the glass and make sure they win the rebounding column. KG will get his, we know that, but we need everybody to chip in. The only position rebounder on the Hawks is Horford, and everybody else snags them with athleticism. Box out and own the boards, guys.
[/list]
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sectHeader">
<td colspan="2">
<h4 align="center">X-Factors</h4>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="x factor">
<td>

 Al Horford

The promising rookie has been playing well, averaging roughly seven points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Atlanta is a perimeter oriented team, and they only have a couple real shooting threats. Horford needs to establish himself in the post offensively tonight, especially against Perk (who will foul).

</td>
<td>

 Tony Allen

With Posey out, TA owns the "6th Man" tag, and he needs to elevate his game tonight. While you can't ask for too much out of Allen this early in the comeback period, it's not too much to ask for smart play and good defense. Atlanta has some bigger wings, so he's going to have to contest every shot.

</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sectHeader">
<td colspan="2">
<h4 align="center">Injury Report
</h4>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="x factor">
<td>

Speedy Claxton: Sore left knee.


Zaza Pachulia: Sprained left knee.

Lorenzen Wright: Plantar fasciitis.
</td>
<td>

James Posey: Lower back spasms.





</td>
</tr>
<tr class="sectHeader">
<td colspan="2">
<h4>Prediction</h4>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="prediction">
<td colspan="2">I think we should be able to win this game, but Atlanta is not a team to sleep on. They can sneak up on you and steal a victory, as they did to Phoenix on Wednesday night. They have a lot of energetic young talent, are very scrappy, and they are hungry for a playoff push. With that said, if we play our game and move the ball as well as we have been this past week, we should be alright.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


Sorry I was a little late with this one, I had a lot of things to do today.

ATLien · Nov 9, 2007

I think Atlanta might just get blown out, Boston is looking scary good. I think the only way Atlanta makes this a game is if Joe Johnson can get hot.

CelticKing · Nov 9, 2007

Yeah ATLien, if Johnson and Smith bring their A game, it is winnable for them.

I still say we win it though, by at least 14 pts.

Master Shake · Nov 9, 2007

This is a very interesting game in my mind. We beat teams like the Suns and Mavs, but both had some key player(s) missing. We got robbed against Detriot, and just lost to the Nets.

Now, a blow out sounds evident, but I don't think it will be a blow out. I think that Boston will probably win by 8-10 points, if Atlanta can play great basketball and have good coaching.

Premier · Nov 9, 2007

Working. Again.

o.iatlhawksfan · Nov 9, 2007

Looks like this will be a game of runs.

o.iatlhawksfan · Nov 9, 2007

LOL @ how NBA prospects are always being compared to K.G, the dude is one of a kind!

CelticKing · Nov 9, 2007

haha I know man, the way KG plays and the intensity he has, no one can match that.

LakerBlood · Nov 9, 2007

Guys are like scared to go stop KG from dunking, the guy is huge with great power. And has great defense near the hoop with his blocking. Same with Perkins.

CelticBalla32 · Nov 9, 2007

Another great one!

You guys can check out my game recap by clicking this link.

JE · Nov 9, 2007

rape-job!

aquaitious · Nov 10, 2007

Was at work, but cought some of the game on the radio, KG had a field day apparently.

Log in or Sign up

Game 4: Atlanta @ Boston

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

ATLien Member

CelticKing The Green Monster

Master Shake young phoenix

Premier Member

o.iatlhawksfan ROFLMFAO!!!!

o.iatlhawksfan ROFLMFAO!!!!

CelticKing The Green Monster

LakerBlood M.V.P

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

JE Suspended

aquaitious Celtic Fan

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Game 4: Atlanta @ Boston

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

ATLien Member

CelticKing The Green Monster

Master Shake young phoenix

Premier Member

o.iatlhawksfan ROFLMFAO!!!!

o.iatlhawksfan ROFLMFAO!!!!

CelticKing The Green Monster

LakerBlood M.V.P

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

JE Suspended

aquaitious Celtic Fan

Share This Page

Useful Searches