Celtics at Atlanta Hawks Game 1: Game thread
- Zaza Pachulia (foot) is out. Doc Rivers said Ray Allen (ankle) is out for the Celtics.
- Zaza says his recovery has been “slow motion” and he’s uncertain if or when he will be able to play during the series: “I don’t have an answer about that. I really don’t. It would make it easier for you guys, me, the coaching staff and the team but I don’t have an answer.”
- More Zaza: “It doesn’t matter if me and Al [Horford] are going to be out for the series, we are still a good team. We are going to confident. We are going to fight.”
- Larry Drew is sticking with Jason Collins at center: “The lineup has been good for us, first of all. It hasn’t been a situation where it hasn’t worked out for us. Even with those first two losses against Boston, lineup-wise, it has been good for us. At this stage [I] don’t really want to rock the boat with that. It’s been good for us. I want to stay with it through the course of the series. If things call for change, we certainly will evaluate that and make a decision on that. But for right now that’s what we will go with.”
- The Hawks were +9 in 34-plus minutes with this lineup during the regular season, according to BasketballValue. They were pretty much worse across the board statistically with Collins on the floor vs. Boston.
- Drew: “Playing against a guy that’s more mobile whether we match him up against [Brandon] Bass or [Kevin] Garnett, that will be a challenge for him. But Jason is a very smart basketball player, particularly defensively. He knows how to play people, from a big guy who is more stationary in the post to a guy who moves around a little bit. He has shown he has the ability to adapt either way. We are counting on his his smarts and his know-how to defend people.”
- Joe Johnson on the Hawks frontline without Horford and Pachulia: “We are down a few bigs so that means us guards and forwards, our play has to get a little nastier.”
- Ivan Johnson on the Celtics: “I am pretty sure they are going to try me but we played them already so I know what to expect.”
- Ivan on the previous meetings with the Celtics: “KG tried me. [Keyon] Dooling, he tried me.” What did KG have to say? “Just regular KG. Talking [bleep].”
- Ivan: “I know what to expect from them so I’m just going to keep a level head and play my game.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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799 comments Add your comment
RethinkPossible
April 29th, 2012
9:46 pm
wow what a suprise the TNT analysts avoid talking about the hawks in success. I think they are worse than ESPN given they operate down the street from phillips.
vava74
April 29th, 2012
9:46 pm
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CC8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fespn.go.com%2Fblog%2Fboston%2Fceltics%2Fpost%2F_%2Fid%2F4690001%2Frondo-suspended-for-2-games&ei=zO6dT_jcFqT80QXU6bTgDg&usg=AFQjCNH72HzdHNxKmUuOIhn8nojPhRnqdQ
Shamrock
April 29th, 2012
9:46 pm
I just feel bad for Rondo, that he stumbled over that evil referees foot and fell into him, clearly incidental contact.
Slimjr
April 29th, 2012
9:46 pm
Up next Rudy Gay and Gang! This going to be an interesting series for sure against the Clippers…
vava74
April 29th, 2012
9:47 pm
google link to pages where Rondo’s suspension early this year is mentioned.
this is a repeated offense. he should get at least 2 games again.
northcyde
April 29th, 2012
9:47 pm
JJ’s offense: F
JJ’s defene: A
Total grade: C- ( but will be treated like a D . . . and probably should be treated like a D )
Slimjr
April 29th, 2012
9:47 pm
He bumped the ref on purpose! 1-2 games…
Luke Cage
April 29th, 2012
9:47 pm
They all pick the celts anyway, Shaq is a waste of time on that show as he rarely brings nothing but lame jokes to the set. On Tuesday they will say we won because rondo didn’t play.
We all know the Hawks never get respect from the national media so screw those clowns.
phil
April 29th, 2012
9:47 pm
Those idiots in the TNT studio really have me hot.
Just making crap up. The celtic practically decapitates our guy but no, the shot clock was at 2, it’s the playoffs, it’s this, it’s that.
I’d feel the same if rolls were reversed. Those boneheads are an embarassment to the league, ignoring how obvious the foul was, how obvious the chest bump was.
Gimme a dang break.
Rev in Tampa
April 29th, 2012
9:48 pm
“Terrible call my ass, Josh had perfect control of the ball and was rammed into the ground when he was trying to pass it off to someone.”
Co-sign. Watch what Bass does to Josh right before the ref called the foul.
Slimjr
April 29th, 2012
9:48 pm
Repeat offender? Hmmmmm. 2 game minimum!
vava74
April 29th, 2012
9:48 pm
Shamrock,
Rondo clearly bumped him on purpose. His chest movement with his shoulders coming back to puff it was voluntary and clear.
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
9:49 pm
northcyde
April 29th, 2012
9:45 pm
LOL @ them justifying Rondo bumping into the ref because he “tripped” on his foot.
Man . . don’t suspend that dude. Let him play so we can beat them at full strength. Boston and the national media will justify that “bump” for the next 48 hours.
______________________
I’m with you on that one. I’d rather play ‘em full strength or we’ll never hear the end of it–win or lose. But I feel pretty sure he’s gonna sit for at least a game.
Loserville USA
April 29th, 2012
9:49 pm
If any of the Hawks tried to do that, they would have missed. They would have air-balled the ref.
Luke Cage
April 29th, 2012
9:49 pm
Peace out fellow bloggers, just wanted to log on and congrats the Hawks on the win, 15 more wins to go!!!!!!!! GO HAWKS!!!
phil
April 29th, 2012
9:49 pm
Shamrock
April 29th, 2012
9:46 pm
I just feel bad for Rondo, that he stumbled over that evil referees foot and fell into him, clearly incidental contact.
********
LOL! At least you have a sense of humor about it. What was Rondo thinking?
What are the fools at TNT thinking?
RethinkPossible
April 29th, 2012
9:50 pm
i love chuck but wtf… show some respect to the home team, we dominated this game.
AG
April 29th, 2012
9:50 pm
I am so happy. A couple of things that I blogged, MC and Schultz picked up….. 12 of 13 picks Celtics and Barkley’s Hawks can’t beat us anywhere. Barkley had another dig at halftime, “the Bulls will have a tough time with the Celtics without Rose.” Mr. Barkley should talk to Jameer Nelson about doubting the Hawks.
Slimjr
April 29th, 2012
9:51 pm
JJ’s offense: N= Non existence
Sly Ty
April 29th, 2012
9:51 pm
I don’t give a rat’s Azz what any of you say, YOU CANNOT TOUCH THE REF. In any sport, this is a mandatory suspension. I want the wins by ANY MEANS NECESSARY.
TMACfan
April 29th, 2012
9:52 pm
EVERYONE JUST IGNORE SHAMROCK LIKE HE ISN’T EVEN HERE.
Loserville USA
April 29th, 2012
9:52 pm
I gave the Hawks NO HOPE until I heard all the analysts talking about the upcoming Boston-Miami series…..I now give the Hawks a chance in this series.
But NO ONE will touch Miami.
Slimjr
April 29th, 2012
9:52 pm
2 GAMES at Least! Repeat offender….
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
9:53 pm
Shamrock
April 29th, 2012
9:46 pm
I just feel bad for Rondo, that he stumbled over that evil referees foot and fell into him, clearly incidental contact.
__________________
Oh come on, man! He clearly chest-bumped the ref in an angry reaction to being T’d up. And the only reason he tripped is because he stepped on the ref’s foot. Had no business being in his face like that.
And there I was giving you props earlier for still being on here. Shoulda known the green slime would
rise to the top.
High-sider
April 29th, 2012
9:53 pm
Tonight’s Grades:
Joe Johnson; 11pts 4rebs, 5ast, 3-15 from the field [0-9 from 3]; +/- +24 [highest +/- on team] – C-/D+
Josh Smith; 22pts, 18pts, 4asts – A-
Kirk Hinrich; 12pts, 4rebs, 2asts – B
Jeff Teague; 15pts, 6rebs, 3asts – B
Jason Collins; 6pts, 5rebs, – C+
Ivan Johnson; 4pts, 5rebs, 4pfs [personal fouls] in limited playing time – C
Marvin Williams; 2pts, 1reb in limited playing time – D-
phil
April 29th, 2012
9:54 pm
We have to earn some respect from the national media. Earn.
But there’s a BIG difference in earning respect and being shown zero anyway because it’s convenient to ignore a mugging and attacking a referee, all in the name of some bs macho ex-player thing based on it being the playoffs.
The rules are supposed to be ignored apparently.
Fire fat Charles!
Fire Kenny!
Fire Shaq!
Zero credibility. None. Zilch.
Slimjr
April 29th, 2012
9:54 pm
Man this Memphis team is dangerous…Glad we aren’t playing them……
The Clippers have their hands full in this one…
Loserville USA
April 29th, 2012
9:55 pm
COLLINS C+???
Huh?
AG
April 29th, 2012
9:55 pm
Joe had a great season and I am going to give him a pass. Most of his looks from 3pt land were uncontested. He did not force many shots. He just missed. That is a true testament of TEAM. Great win. Imagine all the balls Jason Collins and Ivan fumbled away. Those are dunks for Al
Slimjr
April 29th, 2012
9:57 pm
Collins A
Hawkfan
April 29th, 2012
9:57 pm
Rondo will sit one game or the league is fixed. No guarantee we will win it though. Hawks do not do well with prosperity.
northcyde
April 29th, 2012
9:57 pm
Honestly, if Jason Collins scores 6 points and grabs 5 rebounds, while playing good defense, that;s almost an A game for him. Plus he was +15 on the night.
Yeah, that’s at least a B+ game for Collins.
Shamrock
April 29th, 2012
9:57 pm
TMACfan
April 29th, 2012
7:39 pm
WHERE IS SHAMROCK?????
—————————————————————————
TMACfan
April 29th, 2012
9:52 pm
EVERYONE JUST IGNORE SHAMROCK LIKE HE ISN’T EVEN HERE.
High-sider
April 29th, 2012
9:57 pm
Head Coach’s grade:
Larry Drew – B; Hawks beat Celtics 83-74; the Hawks have Drew and the Celtics have Rivers; Drew beats Rivers – enough said
RethinkPossible
April 29th, 2012
9:57 pm
It was clear the media wanted the celtics to win this series after the paul pierce commercials with him hanging on the ceiling. The obsession with the NBA in regards to putting the product the people think they want on the floor is the reason the NBA will never surpass the NFL as the leading professional sports leauge.
phil
April 29th, 2012
9:57 pm
No imagining necessary….
We’ll leave that for the imbeciles at TNT.
Slimjr
April 29th, 2012
9:58 pm
it has been “fixed” for a while my friend….Hmmmmm
Slimjr
April 29th, 2012
9:59 pm
Larry A
soullrenaissance
April 29th, 2012
9:59 pm
TNT talking heads are like the regular mainstream media – they spin and they distort the truth…The Hawks made the TNT, ESPN and all the pundits look bad because they are swore we did not stand a snowflakes chance on Venus to win this.
A real man can admit when he misjudged or made a mistake, not this buffoons.
phil
April 29th, 2012
10:00 pm
RethinkPossible
April 29th, 2012
9:57 pm
It was clear the media wanted the celtics to win this series after the paul pierce commercials with him hanging on the ceiling. The obsession with the NBA in regards to putting the product the people think they want on the floor is the reason the NBA will never surpass the NFL as the leading professional sports leauge.
******
amen to that. It wouldn’t hurt a thing for some other teams to get a shot.
Just once. Good grief.
soullrenaissance
April 29th, 2012
10:00 pm
Let’s go Memphis!!!! I can’t stand Blake and slob city.
Slimjr
April 29th, 2012
10:00 pm
Much more props to the Hawks on NBA TV! Good Stuff!
Loserville USA
April 29th, 2012
10:00 pm
If Smith would have tried to bump the ref he would have missed completely.
northcyde
April 29th, 2012
10:00 pm
AG . . but when you’re missing open 3s like that, you just can’t keep jacking them up. That’s what JR Smith and Jamal Crawford do, when they are ice cold.
He’s been red hot from 3 lately, but sometimes, you just don’t have it. He kept that game much closer than it needed to be by taking all of those 3s. Then he compounds the issue by trying to dribble and get closer to the rim.
He never established his midrange game.
Meanwhile, Memphis looks like the Hawks did in the 1st quarter.
Sly Ty
April 29th, 2012
10:00 pm
I don’t care about grading the game, player performance; just the outcome and the fact that RONDO MUST BE SUSPENDED.
phil
April 29th, 2012
10:01 pm
Even Rivers spinning it contrary to reality.
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
10:01 pm
Now Doc is trying to justify the bump–acting like it was accidental. Got a major guffaw from the assembled media.
northcyde
April 29th, 2012
10:01 pm
Then he compounds the issue by trying to dribble and get closer to the rim . . and losing the ball.
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 29th, 2012
10:02 pm
Rondo needs Anger Management Classes.
F-U TNT Crew! (Rev’s FU) they will all eat crow as they fuel the hawks to four straight victories. The C’s looked out classed tonight.
Hawks “hang on” to win? They never looked back, led 19 in both halves and, never trailed the C’s.
phil
April 29th, 2012
10:02 pm
Amen, sly ty….WIN THE DANG GAMES!!!