GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NBA: ATLANTA (2-2) at BOSTON (3-0)

NBA: ATLANTA (2-2) at BOSTON (3-0)

<h3>Hawks look to down undefeated Celtics</h3>

Atlanta (2-2) at Boston (3-0) 7:30 pm EST


BOSTON (Ticker) -- If the Atlanta Hawks are going to be takenseriously, they will have to pass a tough test on Friday.

The upstart Hawks hope to capture back-to-back wins when theyvisit the undefeated Boston Celtics in an Eastern Conferencematchup.


In his fourth season, Atlanta coach Mike Woodson seems to havehis club heading in the right direction and looking like theirready to end their nine-year postseason absence.


In their last outing, Josh Smith had 22 points and 10 boards andMarvin Williams added 20 and 12 as the Hawks stunned thePhoenix Suns with Wednesday's 105-96 victory at home.

Williams, the second overall selection in 2005, has seemed tofinally live up to his promise. He is averaging 17.7 points infour games this season.


The Celtics, meanwhile, are enjoying early success with the "BigThree" of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce.

On Wednesday, the trio combined for 71 points as Boston routedthe Denver Nuggets 119-93 with 38 of those points coming intheir franchise record-setting first quarter.


"We are just scratching the surface on what we could be," Piercesaid. "We are no where where we want to be, but we are gettingcloser each and every day."


Boston suffered a blow to its reserve when forward James Poseywent down with lower back spasms midway through the second anddid not return. He is listed at day-to-day.

 

Re: NBA: ATLANTA (2-2) at BOSTON (3-0)

<a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20071109/ATLBOS/preview.html" target="_blank">Hawks-Celtics Preview
</a></p>
<div class="articleByline">By JEFF MEZYDLO, STATS Writer
Posted Nov 8 2007 1:30PM</div>
<div class="articleTimeStamp">

The Boston Celtics are having fun, and they don't expect that to change any time soon.</p>

With their marquee trio leading the way, the Celtics look to open with four straight wins for the first time in 20 seasons when they host the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.</p>

Boston (3-0) couldn't have played much better in a 119-93 home victory over Denver on Wednesday. Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce combined for 71 points as the Celtics shot 64.5 percent from the field - including 72 percent in a 77-point first half.</p>

"We are just scratching the surface on what we can do," said Pierce, who had 26 points on 10-for-15 shooting. "We enjoy seeing the next player make a great play and no one cares who gets credit."</p>

The additions of Garnett and Allen to support Pierce immediately vaulted the sagging franchise to the top of the list of Eastern Conference contenders and the Celtics have lived up to the hype so far.</p>

Boston looks to open 4-0 for the first time since winning its first six in 1987-88. The Celtics, who didn't win their fourth game until Nov. 18 last season when they finished 24-58, haven't made the playoffs since 2004-05.</p>

They could be in good shape to remain undefeated against Atlanta (2-2), which is looking to avoid extending its road losing streak to 16 games dating to last season, when it went 12-29 away from home.</p>

On Wednesday, Garnett had 23 points and 13 rebounds for his third straight double-double, while Allen followed up a 33-point effort in a 98-95 overtime win at Toronto on Sunday with 22 points on 8-for-12 shooting.</p>

Allen is averaging a team-leading 24.0 points and shooting 63.2 percent over the first week of the season. Garnett is posting 22.7 points and 18.7 rebounds per contest and Pierce is scoring 22.3 points for the Celtics, who have won both their home games by an average of 24 points.</p>

"They (Garnett, Pierce and Allen) like each other," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who returned to the bench Wednesday after missing the Toronto game following the death of his father. "They've all decided that they don't need anything individually and it is all about what's best for the team."</p>

The Celtics have also improved defensively, allowing 90.3 points per game after giving up 105.3 in starting 0-3 last season.</p>

"Doc has been preaching to us about repetition," Garnett said. "We want to be known as a defensive team."</p>

Boston should have a chance to prove that again versus Atlanta, which is coming off a 105-96 home win over Phoenix on Wednesday.</p>

Josh Smith had 22 points and 10 rebounds and Marvin Williams added 20 points and 12 boards as the Hawks outrebounded the Suns 56-40.</p>

Atlanta has held its own during a brutal early stretch that included an opening-night home win over Dallas, followed by road losses to Detroit and New Jersey by a total of six points.</p>

"We should be 4-0," said Smith, who is averaging 17.8 points and 9.5 rebounds. "We feel good about our chances this year."</p>

Atlanta's chance to contend for its first playoff spot since 1998-99 would increase if it can play better on the road. The Hawks won 96-93 over the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 14 for their most recent victory away from home.</p>

The Hawks split two games at Boston last season while going 3-1 overall against the Celtics.</p>
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<a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20071109/ATLBOS/preview.html" target="_blank">
</a></p>

 

Re: NBA: ATLANTA (2-2) at BOSTON (3-0)

Clippers @ Detroit tonight. So assuming we don't have a colossal brain fart, I think we're the NBA's last perfect team. 8)</p>

 

Re: NBA: ATLANTA (2-2) at BOSTON (3-0)

Exactly David, I think we'll go at least 8-0.</p>

 

Re: NBA: ATLANTA (2-2) at BOSTON (3-0)

I just hope the Hawks don't lose by 30+, Celtics look sick</p>

 

NBA: ATLANTA at BOSTON

<div class="pre">ATLANTA VS BOSTON - INACTIVES

ATLANTA BOSTON

PLAYER NAME REASON PLAYER NAME REASON
L WRIGHT PLANTAR FASCITIS, RI J POSEY BACK SPASMS
S CLAXTON LEFT KNEE INJURY B WALLACE COACH'S DECISION
Z PACHULIA SPRAINED LEFT KNEE</div>

 

NBA: ATLANTA at BOSTON

<div class="pre">ATLANTA AT BOSTON - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS


ATLANTA BOSTON

F Josh Smith F Kevin Garnett
F Marvin Williams F Paul Pierce
C Al Horford C Kendrick Perkins
G Joe Johnson G Ray Allen
G Acie Law G Rajon Rondo

OFFICIALS: Joe Forte
Derrick Stafford
Orlandis Poole</div>

 

NBA: ATLANTA at BOSTON

<div class="pre">NBA ATLANTA 4
BOSTON 6 9:00 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: ATLANTA at BOSTON

<div class="pre">NBA ATLANTA 10
BOSTON 13 5:57 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: ATLANTA at BOSTON

<div class="pre">NBA ATLANTA 18
BOSTON 18 2:40 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: ATLANTA at BOSTON

<div class="pre">NBA END 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
ATLANTA 24 24
BOSTON 19 19 END 1ST QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 1ST QUARTER

ATL - AL HORFORD 9, JOE JOHNSON 2, JOSH SMITH
2
BOS - KEVIN GARNETT 13, PAUL PIERCE 8, RAY
ALLEN 3</div>

 

NBA: ATLANTA at BOSTON

<div class="pre">NBA ATLANTA 24
BOSTON 26 8:56 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: ATLANTA at BOSTON

<div class="pre">NBA ATLANTA 33
BOSTON 33 5:30 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: ATLANTA at BOSTON

<div class="pre">NBA ATLANTA 39
BOSTON 47 2:23 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: ATLANTA at BOSTON

<div class="pre">NBA ATLANTA 41
BOSTON 55 HALFTIME</div>

 

NBA: ATLANTA at BOSTON

<div class="pre">NBA HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
ATLANTA 24 17 41
BOSTON 19 36 55 HALFTIME

HIGH SCORERS AT HALFTIME

ATL - JOE JOHNSON 10, AL HORFORD 9, MARVIN
WILLIAMS 8
BOS - PAUL PIERCE 19, KEVIN GARNETT 15, RAY
ALLEN 9</div>

 

Re: NBA: ATLANTA (2-2) at BOSTON (3-0)

Celts lead 55-41, it was a close one until the last 6 minutes in the 2nd quarter.</p>

House making some big plays for us, and I love how at the end we had both him and Rondo on the floor. You could see that House makes less mistakes and should control the ball more IMO.</p>

 

Re: NBA: ATLANTA (2-2) at BOSTON (3-0)

Celtics were doing a great job of defense in this game, but Allen needs to watch out and not get fouled all the time.</p>

 

Re: NBA: ATLANTA (2-2) at BOSTON (3-0)

Celtics shooting 64% in the first half, the Hawks 42%.</p>

 

Re: NBA: ATLANTA (2-2) at BOSTON (3-0)

Smith fouls Perk, now going to the free throw line. 10 mins left in the 3rd</p>