Celtics Look to Close Out Series Tonight in Atlanta

 

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PG:  Rajon Rondo vs Mike Bibby

SG:  Ray Allen vs Joe Johnson

SF:  Paul Pierce vs Marvin Williams

PF:  Kevin Garnett vs Josh Smith

C:    Kendrick Perkins vs Al Horford 

 

James Posey vs Josh Childress 

 

Key Matchups
 
Rajon Rondo  vs  Mike Bibby 
Rondo outplayed Bibby once again in game 5 in Boston.  It remains to be seen if he can do it again in Atlanta.    Rondo's ability to throw Bibby off his game is key to every other area of this game. 

  Vs 
Kevin Garnett  vs  Josh Smith
KG got back to his dominant defense in game 5 and will need to do the same in game 6 for the Celtics to win.  He will need to make Smith work on the defensive end while bothering his every shot on the offensive end. 

Honorable Mention
Ray Allen vs Joe Johnson
When the Celtics play team defense and they help Ray on Joe, we have seen that they can effectively shut him down.  They are going to have to play that kind of team defense in game 6 as Ray can't guard him one on one.  Shutting Johnson down is key to a game 6 win.

Keys to the Game
Rebounding  When the Celtics out rebound the Hawks they win and when they don't, they lose.   Much of rebounding is effort and desire and when both of those are there, they get the rebounds and they out play the Hawks

Defense   The Celtics can't try to outscore the Hawks because they found out in games 3 and 4 that doesn't work.  They have to play the tough defense that they played in games 1,2 and 5 in order to win.  No defense = no win. 

Be Aggressive  The Celtics need to continue to be aggressive in taking the ball to the basket and in diving for loose balls and crashing the boards.   By being more aggressive and driving to the hoop rather than settling for quick jumpers, they will either get a high percentage shot or draw the foul and getting the Hawks into foul trouble pays dividends because they have a limited bench.  Paul Pierce in particular must be more aggressive looking for his shot and taking the ball to the basket. 

 

Play 48 Minutes  In games 3 and 4, the Celtics got out to a big lead and then let the Hawks climb back into it.  They started the fourth quarter with a 10 point lead and they allowed the Hawks to outscore them 32-17 in the final quarter for the win.  The Celtics must play hard for all 48 minutes of the game and not let up, even if they get a  big lead because this Hawks team will not stop coming at them.   

X-Factor
Bench Play
The Celtics bench has come through in a big way in their three wins and was a non factor in the two losses.  The Celtics will need their bench to produce in this game if they want to end the series here.