Updated: Pachulia out versus Celtics
Vivlamore reporting from Philips Arena.
FOR A GAME THREAD TONIGHT, JEFF SCHULTZ WILL BE BLOGGING LIVE.
The Hawks will definitely be without center Zaza Pachulia for tonight’s key Eastern Conference matchup against the Celtics. Pachulia, who will miss his fourth straight game with a sprained left foot, did not take part in the morning shoot-around and coach Larry Drew ruled him out.
Drew said he had no further update on just how long Pachulia will be out. He did not practice Thursday but worked with trainers on the side.
Drew said he did not know whether Erick Dampier, who was unavailable Wednesday against the Pistons with a calf injury, would play. He called the back-up center a game-time decision. Dampier did take part in today’s shoot-around.
The Celtics, who held their shoot-around at Georgia Tech, did not travel with Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen and Mickael Pietrus. Coach Doc Rivers confirmed that he will rest Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, meaning the Celtics will be without three starters and two key reserves.
While he said both teams want to win tonight’s matchup, Drew said neither wants to show too much as they will very likely meet in the first round of the playoffs.
“With us and not knowing who they are going to have here tonight as far as guys who are going to play or not going to play, we have to keep that in mind,” Drew said. “We certainly have to keep that in mind because the last thing we want to do is to tip our hand totally. We want to go out and play well. We want to keep doing what we do. But at the same time if this is a team we are going to see in the first round we have to be mindful of that and not tip our hand too much.”
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439 comments Add your comment
Big Lou
April 20th, 2012
9:35 pm
“Before the Knicks got Melo, Amare was carrying that team, averaging 20+ ppg.”
You’re living in the past. It’s 2012 and Amare is a shell of his former self, especially on defense. I wasn’t talking about points either.
Jp
April 20th, 2012
9:36 pm
Hawks stink. Easy out in 1st round. Maybe Josh Smith will learn to respect the Celtics 3rd string players that just gave the Hawks a fight
DawgNole
April 20th, 2012
9:36 pm
Big Lou
April 20th, 2012
9:23 pm
“So how do YOU think we’ll do against their starters in the playoffs, BL?”
Same as it was during the regular season. It will be an ugly, defensive duel that will be determined by the last shot.
______________________
So you see it as a close series–like it was in ‘08? Hope you’re right. ATL’s never beaten them in a series, if I’m not mistaken.
High-sider
April 20th, 2012
9:37 pm
Josh Smith = “Chief [Village] Idiot”
Rod from College Park
April 20th, 2012
9:37 pm
Najeh,
I saw your prediction earlier today, and you were right on it. This is my prediction. Boston in 4.
Justin
April 20th, 2012
9:37 pm
Let’s be straight. Teague will not play this bad again and Avery Bradley will never have a game like this in the playoffs.
DawgNole
April 20th, 2012
9:38 pm
Justin
April 20th, 2012
9:26 pm
co-sign Big Lou. There’s no need to hit the panic button. We’ve already played the Celtics well at full strength. It will be a totally different kind of game than tonight in the playoffs.
____________________
Well, I hope it’s not totally different since we actually won tonight.
Slimjr
April 20th, 2012
9:38 pm
Sad just sad..D-u-d-e? Give yourself a hug…
Big Lou
April 20th, 2012
9:39 pm
“So you see it as a close series–like it was in ‘08? Hope you’re right. ATL’s never beaten them in a series, if I’m not mistaken.
Home court will change that. I expect it to go 6-7 games though. I’m not a homer, yet they have a good chance of winning it. I say about 50-50.
High-sider
April 20th, 2012
9:39 pm
On the cool, Doris Burke wishes she could pee standing up, if she doesn’t already.
cp
April 20th, 2012
9:40 pm
They won but this was ugly. I dont know if they can beat the Celtics even with the homecourt. They should have put this team away but struggled to win.
Big Lou
April 20th, 2012
9:41 pm
Slimjr
If you can come on here and s!ck on the Knocks everyone you can. Then I can make you look like an idiot when I’m right.
Your the one who said the Knicks would be better with Amare.
Slimjr
April 20th, 2012
9:41 pm
“So you see it as a close series–like it was in ‘08? Hope you’re right. ATL’s never beaten them in a series, if I’m not mistaken.”
Wow. OOPS! Rod is on to something here with a predicted sweep for the Celts…
That would be Castrosphic for our underachieving Hawks….
12-20 45
Big Lou
April 20th, 2012
9:42 pm
Knicks*
every time*
Stupid iPhone.
Big Lou
April 20th, 2012
9:45 pm
Braves already have two guys on base. Nice.
Blast
April 20th, 2012
9:45 pm
Bradley will never have a game like this in the playoffs because he will never get that much court time, but dude is awfully goood though.
DawgNole
April 20th, 2012
9:45 pm
Justin
April 20th, 2012
9:30 pm
DawgNole,
How do the Celtics have less to play for? Home court advantage is equally important to both teams. If you don’t believe that, check out the playoff records for teams playing on their home court.
____________________
If the Celtics were worried about winning home court against the Hawks, they wouldn’t have shown up w/o their top players.
Big Lou
April 20th, 2012
9:45 pm
Lol
Knicks lost to the Cavs.
Hilarious.
Slimjr
April 20th, 2012
9:48 pm
“Haters and Trolls” who parrots his cousin “reach around” if it makes you feel better than so be it.
I wont waste my time baby sitting..Now scroll troll!
Big Lou
April 20th, 2012
9:50 pm
How the heck am I the troll?
You’re the one constantly on here praising the Knicks.
At least I’m a Hawks fan.
Are you?
atlchris77
April 20th, 2012
9:52 pm
They lost to a depleted miami earlier. They won tonight enough said. Bring on the playoffs. I am going to love it when we send boston packing for the summer.
DawgNole
April 20th, 2012
9:52 pm
Big Lou
April 20th, 2012
9:33 pm
“The bottom line is that they struggled against a depleted Boston team that has even less to gain with a victory.”
Struggle would imply that they’re trying. Also, they could gain home court easier if they won.
Anyways, I’m done arguing a moot point. They won. They will demolish the Knicks on Sunday.
__________________
Trying or not, they struggled–against bench warmers.
If they demolish the Knicks on Sunday, they’ll be on a pretty good roll. Again, I hope you’re right.
High-sider
April 20th, 2012
9:53 pm
You know “something’s weird [and up]” if you can’t complain about Collins’ [aka -jc100,000] performance tonight.
-jc100,000’s [Collins'] stat line tonight vs. Red Claws – 8pts, 7rebs, 4asts and a “+/-” of +13
DawgNole
April 20th, 2012
9:54 pm
Big Lou
April 20th, 2012
9:39 pm
“So you see it as a close series–like it was in ‘08? Hope you’re right. ATL’s never beaten them in a series, if I’m not mistaken.
Home court will change that. I expect it to go 6-7 games though. I’m not a homer, yet they have a good chance of winning it. I say about 50-50.
_____________________
History’s working against you. Hopefully it won’t repeat itself.
O'brien
April 20th, 2012
9:55 pm
Big Lou,
I wont dispute that Amare is a shell of his former self. but you said “I told you that Amare was a cancer to that Knick’s team”.
What makes him a cancer?
DawgNole
April 20th, 2012
9:55 pm
cp
April 20th, 2012
9:40 pm
They won but this was ugly. I dont know if they can beat the Celtics even with the homecourt. They should have put this team away but struggled to win.
_______________________
Agreed.
O'brien
April 20th, 2012
9:56 pm
Rod,
I dont think Boston will sweep the Hawks.
Paradise Lost
April 20th, 2012
9:56 pm
From the sounds of the crowd at Philips, I’m not sure that the Celtics haven’t won home court advantage.
DawgNole
April 20th, 2012
9:59 pm
atlchris77
April 20th, 2012
9:52 pm
They lost to a depleted miami earlier. They won tonight enough said. Bring on the playoffs. I am going to love it when we send boston packing for the summer.
____________________
IF they send Boston packing for the summer, you’ll have a lot of folks on here loving it w/you.
Big Lou
April 20th, 2012
10:00 pm
“What makes him a cancer?”
His horrible defense. I’ve said that three times already, man.
High-sider
April 20th, 2012
10:00 pm
Ivan [Johnson] should change his jersey number to No. 48 or No. 72 to show he’s [Ivan Johnson] two to three times better than Marvin Williams [No. 24].
Slimjr
April 20th, 2012
10:01 pm
This should have been a blowout tonight not a struggle…
12-20
Slimjr
April 20th, 2012
10:03 pm
Gearon you call this entertainment?
High-sider
April 20th, 2012
10:05 pm
Better yet, Ivan [Johnson] should change his jersey number to 96 [four times better than Marvin Williams (No.24)].
High-sider
April 20th, 2012
10:08 pm
Josh Smith almost had a triple-double tonight: 19pts, 12rebs, and 7tos [turnovers].
Rufus1
April 20th, 2012
10:24 pm
LOOOOOOW self esteem fans……
Doc Rivers is hoping the Hawks players think like some of you “FANS”…
The Hawks sometimes play down to their competition, so why are surprised.
Doc is resting his team for the Hawks, because he in NERVOUS…..He watched the previous 2 games and knows this will be a WAR…..This is just a MENTAL TRICK he is trying to play and some of you got pulled in..
If Zaza is healthy the Hawks will win the WAR OF ATTRITION in 7 games.
atlchris77
April 20th, 2012
10:46 pm
Well said rufus.
Slimjr
April 20th, 2012
11:08 pm
BTW Biggie smalls no one expects the Knicks to elimate Miami! What will be the Hawks excuse..This time…
12-20 45
Slimjr
April 20th, 2012
11:10 pm
Well at least the Knicks and Hawks have something in common:
Both of their Allstar bigs play horrible defense…..