C's Aim To Regain Control In Game 4

by CelticBalla32 on Apr 28, 2008 12:32 PM EDT in Boston Celtics Games

Round 1, Game 4
Monday, April 28
8:00 PM ET
TV: TNT & CSN (HD)
Phillips Arena

Before Game 2 of this first round series, talk of the Celtics sweeping the young Atlanta Hawks was flaring both locally and nationally. Atlanta put it all to rest, however, with a nine-point victory on their home floor. Mike Woodson’s club dictated the tempo of the game, and came out with a different mindset than they had during the first two games of the series – attack. Atlanta got out in transition nicely, attacked the basket, moved the ball extremely well, played pesky defense, and were absolutely dialed in from long distance. Joe Johnson and Josh Smith buried eight three’s combined, helping Atlanta hit 10 of 18 from beyond the arc as a team. The Celtics were completely out of whack on the defensive end, and Atlanta took advantage of it.

Offensively, the only Celtic who matched Atlanta’s attack mindset was Kevin Garnett, who scored 32 points and shot 10-11 from the free throw line. The rest of the team tended to settle, and guys like Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo had well below-par outings. As Doc Rivers stated, it seemed as though everybody was trying to get their own game going rather than moving the ball as a team (something the Celtics have done well all year).

After two days of reflection and preparation, it’s safe to expect the Celtics to come out with an extraordinary level of focus and intensity. Let’s hope the men in green can push this series to 3-1 before heading home for Game 5.

Projected Starters

C Kendrick Perkins / Al Horford
PF Kevin Garnett / Josh Smith
SF Paul Pierce / Marvin Williams
SG Ray Allen / Joe Johnson
PG Rajon Rondo / Mike Bibby

Key Matchup: Paul Pierce vs. Marvin Williams

Let’s face it, Paul’s "no harm done" attitude towards Al Horford’s actions after Game 3 were nothing more than a cover up. Clearly, Pierce was unhappy with the rookie’s gestures, and "The Truth" is not a guy you want to fire up in the playoffs. Expect the captain to come out with a vengeance. Good luck, Marvin.

Celtics X-Factor: Defense

In Game 3, Atlanta had their way on the offensive end. They got out in transition when they wanted to, they attacked when they wanted to, and they were able to get a plethora of wide open looks from the perimeter in the halfcourt setting. That was not Boston Celtics defense. Tonight, they need to make sure they do all of the things they’ve done all season long on the defensive end, and get the job done. Do not allow them to run you ragged, clean up the defensive rotations, take care of the defensive glass, and close out on shooters. If the Celtics do that, they’ll be in good shape.

Injury Report
BOS – Scot Pollard (torn tendon in left ankle – out for season)
ATL – Speedy Claxton (left knee – out for season)

Celtics Keys to the Game

Defense
Dictate the Tempo
Attack Offensively
Ball Control
Contain Atlanta’s Offensive Glass
Bench Play (someone step up)
48-Minute Energy

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Comments

Since the Hawks’ offensive mindset was to shoot within seven seconds of the shot clock and the C’s always like to run the clock in the half court set, losing the 24 second clock in the second half hurt the Cs much more than the Hawks. Regardless, I’m thinking Garnett and Allen are starting to show their age a bit. We’ve got a three year window to win one.

by The Real Large James on Apr 28, 2008 2:01 PM EDT reply actions

Okay, everyone, channel your negative thoughts at the Hawks, and your positive ones to the Celtics. Master Po, time for some of your shaolin shenannigans. And mcpu40, whatever you did last game, do the exact opposite.

by halfman/halfoyster on Apr 28, 2008 2:31 PM EDT reply actions

"’What the eye sees disappears with a blink or a wandering puff of breath. Where there was light the eye, denied, sees nothing. What the soul sees cannot be denied.’ – Master Po
‘Will not the soul, too, see nothing when death blinks its eye?’ – Caine
‘No. The soul sees always.’ – Po
‘Yet the body dies.’ – Caine
‘Does the sun die?’ – Po
‘It does not shine at night.’ – Caine
‘It shines somewhere. You do not see it.’ – Po
"Where should we tell Al Horford to put his big wagging finger tonight Master?‘- Caine
’Where the sun doesn’t shine, and he should keep it there until death comes to him…. young grasshopper’ – Po

by Master Po on Apr 28, 2008 2:58 PM EDT reply actions

it’more in the c’s hands than the hawks. the hawks have nothing to lose-they are looking for gravy. the c’s have to move on defense and get to the boards and make good cuts.paul if he has to needs to get to the hoop and not focus on the three. coachie has to get powe in the game and stop fiddling.

by nazzbo on Apr 28, 2008 3:12 PM EDT reply actions

Po you better be in the chat on time tonight, or the C’s could be trouble.

by CelticBalla32 on Apr 28, 2008 4:29 PM EDT reply actions

A little tidbit. Horford has won more championships than the big three combined. I think he has a lot of credibility here. Both with his team in in this league. I like his demeanor.

I don’t think they’ll win the series but I think this is very healthy preparation for the next round. To say they’re playing for gravy is hopefully not being thought in our locker room. Or there won’t be a next round. This is a young and extrordinarily athletic team. It’s not inconceivable that they could put this effort together for 3 more games. With this coach, it’s not inconceivable that we’d be unprepared for it.

by lobstermobster on Apr 28, 2008 5:20 PM EDT reply actions

Instead of being worried we should all be thanking the team for taking a bullet from fans and the media on order to bring home one more game this series for the fans in Boston rather than closing this team out on the road.

Besides, think big picture: More games = more revenue.

by tmcdon on Apr 28, 2008 5:25 PM EDT reply actions

Since the Hawks’ offensive mindset was to shoot within seven seconds of the shot clock and the C’s always like to run the clock in the half court set, losing the 24 second clock in the second half hurt the Cs much more than the Hawks.

The Hawks don’t have that mindset. They play at the almost the exact same pace as the Celtics. The Hawks rank 17th in pace factor, the Celtics were 18th.

The Hawks take a slightly higher percentage of their shots in the first 10 seconds of the shot clock (in comparison to Boston) but they also take a marginally higher percentage of their shots in the last 5 seconds of the shot clock. The Celtics make up the difference in the 10-19 second bracket of the shot clock.

There was no difference or advantage from the shot clock. All was fair.

by Who on Apr 28, 2008 5:50 PM EDT reply actions

I’m extremely angered at the moment to hear that Paul Pierce was fined $25,000 for a gesture toward Horford when Horford receives nothing for his big mouth…

Must be nice being a Hawk right now and being able to get away with anything !!!

by Ancient Red on Apr 28, 2008 5:59 PM EDT reply actions

I hope you’re right about not wanting to fire up Pierce. In the past when he’s been challenged individually like this he has become a hothead and forced his game. Hopefully the “mature” Paul from this year will surface and use the emotion of this series to have a great game.

by ma11l on Apr 28, 2008 6:48 PM EDT reply actions