Atlanta Hawks at Celtics: Game 6 thread
Boston–The Celtics said Paul Pierce has a sprained left MCL. Doc Rivers: “It’s not the best situation but he’s going to play. We have to find out what he can do on the floor. We have to find the most effective way he can score. He said he has more life energy-wise [than Game 5], but the knee is the same.”
- Same starting lineup for Hawks. Larry Drew on the lineup in Game 5: “It did pretty much what I expected. We’ve been waiting on Marvin [Williams] to make some shots. He’s had some good looks.”
- Drew on Hawks’ health: “They are holding their own. We have got some guys that are a little banged up. But looking around the league, other teams do as well. It’s playoff time. The play has been very physical. We have just got to push through it.”
- Drew on Josh Smith: “I think he’s getting better. He’s been battling a sore knee pretty much the whole season. He’s been quiet about it. He knows we need him and he has to play hurt, so that’s what he’s doing. I give him a lot of credit for that. I do think he’s showing signs of the knee improving.”
- Josh said he would spend extra time pregame getting warm: “I feel a little better. It takes a little bit of time for the knee to get warmed up.”
- Zaza Pachulia got up some shots at shootaround for the first time since he injured his foot. “It went well,” he said. “Honestly I wasn’t expecting to participate in the shootaround. Mindset leaving hotel was kind of watch it. Went up to doctor, he ran a couple tests and said, ‘Why don’t you try to shoot?’ Body was feeling great. I was able to finish.”
- Zaza said a return in the second round if the Hawks advance is “more realistic” than playing in Game 7 Saturday if they win tonight.
- Drew on minutes for Al Horford and the other starters: “These guys have been piling up a lot of minutes. It’s just a situation where we are trying to win a game. If the game is getting away from us, I have got to get my starters back in there. This is do or die for us.”
- Al said he feels like his defensive timing is off in help situations but “on the ball I feel strong.”
- More Al: “For sure I have fresher legs but I don’t know if that’s totally an advantage. These guys have been in a rhythm. I’m just trying to make it work for me.”
- Josh on Al: “He has fresher legs than everyone in the series. Why not play him?”
- Drew on Kirk Hinrich’s limited playing time after halftime in Game 5: “I anticipated playing Kirk more in the second half. But Jeff [Teague] has the speed and we needed that. As long as [Rajon] Rondo is in the game, Jeff will be in there defending him.”
- More Doc Rivers on Pierce’s knee: “He’s not going to get to the line as much. That’s just the way it is. We have to create other ways. We can get Kevin to the post more but they are doubling him so it makes it hard for him to get to the line, too. We have to create other ways.”
- Don in Mickael Pietrus’ shooting struggles: “When your shot doesn’t go in and you are not a great player, then it can cause your confidence to drop.” Doc said Marquis Daniels could take some of Pietrus’ minutes: “He can guard Joe [Johnson] almost as well. But the thing with ‘MP’ is they still guard him at the 3-point line. With Marquis, they would not. It would be another guy they could leave.”
- Drew on the keys to getting off to a better start here than in Game 4: “Shot selection and not turn the ball over. We were in a hurry last game. We made a lot of early, ill-advised passes. We didn’t explore our options. We were looking to one side, and Boston is too good for that.”
- Josh on the Celtics: “I see them trying to come out early and establish themselves and get the crowd into it and try to make it into a physical game.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,540 comments Add your comment
Big Ray
May 10th, 2012
10:42 pm
And right at the end….another “no foul” non-call…..
I’m disgusted.
Hawks hurt themselves in a few ways, but the fact is that the refs bled green nearly all game. F@ck Stern and his minions.
Offseason needs to make a serious change to the core. Period.
bigdave
May 10th, 2012
10:42 pm
That’s tough
Section 212
May 10th, 2012
10:42 pm
Should have been 2 FTs on the first foul by Daniels
Big Crimson 75
May 10th, 2012
10:42 pm
They played hard, not exactly smart though.
Drew gets axed.
Don Nelson on deck
High-sider
May 10th, 2012
10:42 pm
I told you that the Hawks would miss Jamal Crawford. Anybody miss Jamal [Crawford]…….now? The officiating went terribly against the Hawks.
Hawks v Celtics
May 10th, 2012
10:43 pm
NBA players: can’t hit an uncontested goal with it staring them right in the face
Big Lou
May 10th, 2012
10:43 pm
“Well, I can get back to my LIFE now. Ivan woulda’ made those FT’s”
Such a stupid comment. Al should’ve had two free throws on the first possession.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 10th, 2012
10:43 pm
WTf was that bullsh7t offense at beginning of 4th? Did Marvin score after the 2nd qtr?
Luke Cage
May 10th, 2012
10:43 pm
Speechless
CamiloAtlanta
May 10th, 2012
10:43 pm
Ship still sinks.
DawgNole
May 10th, 2012
10:43 pm
Mike
May 10th, 2012
10:41 pm
Nique doesnt even know the time out situation.
Why is he allowed to call games?
________________________
Because people like you listen to him–even when you don’t have to.
Lil Fawkers
May 10th, 2012
10:43 pm
Horrible coaching.
Josh Smith is an idiot.
Joe Johnson not worth his pay.
Marvin Williams is a joke.
BLOW THIS TEAM UP FINALLY!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
May 10th, 2012
10:43 pm
Josh is going to get roasted for that shot, but at least recognize that there were 3 seconds on the shot clock. If you think he should have done something else in that situation with 3 seconds left, knowing his inability to drive to his right, say it.
J
May 10th, 2012
10:43 pm
Some old Atlanta. Yeah, some bs at the end but why even let it get to that point? The series and the path to the ECF was laid out on a platter. This team and franchise is pathetic.
yodaddybrother
May 10th, 2012
10:43 pm
smdh…..
Section 212
May 10th, 2012
10:43 pm
According to Stern, the refs are perfect.
Joe T
May 10th, 2012
10:43 pm
Not robbed Luke… outclassed, outcoached, and out talented, out hearted, out hustled.. they got out alright
THAD YOUNG & ALL US 76ERS
May 10th, 2012
10:44 pm
LOL HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Mike
May 10th, 2012
10:44 pm
Its time to blow it up but the Ref screwed us big time
Bojack
May 10th, 2012
10:44 pm
Its time for some changes in Hawksville..this team is no play-off team…
Bigguy
May 10th, 2012
10:44 pm
Josh smith has to go!
Hawkfan
May 10th, 2012
10:44 pm
LD with another airball coaching maneuver to end the season. Good effort by the team. Just not good enough. Have a great off season bloggers and see you next season. Maybe Well trade joe for Lebron James
nice shot josh
May 10th, 2012
10:44 pm
josh smith with another ill-advised 20 foot jumper. This time it cost us the series. Is the hawks brass gonna get a clue? We could get a lot for him.
MistaGamer
May 10th, 2012
10:44 pm
In a money game you go 17pts 2 rebs 2 ast 1 stl from your $120M man.
Lil Fawkers
May 10th, 2012
10:44 pm
Go smoke your weed and call your hookers Josh.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 10th, 2012
10:44 pm
Refs sucked but this series was lost in games 2 and 3.
Sh7t tmac you are allowed to shoot
Slimjr
May 10th, 2012
10:44 pm
UP next The BRAVES MELTDOWN, then come the fabulous Fal-cons……
Georgia professional sports bites….
Vick Supporter
May 10th, 2012
10:45 pm
F!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike D
May 10th, 2012
10:45 pm
Well we all knew it was coming I just hope this is not Tracys last season!!
Bump
May 10th, 2012
10:45 pm
Im not suprised. When the hawks were in the huddle with 10.3 seconds left,they were all telling LD what play to run. He looked like a grandpa at six flags with his grandkids telling him what they were gonna do,ride,and how much money they needed him to give them lmao..
DawgNole
May 10th, 2012
10:45 pm
Big Ray
May 10th, 2012
10:42 pm
And right at the end….another “no foul” non-call…..
___________________
I saw that. Teague was clobbered–right in front of the ref’s nose. Must’ve had that nose up Stern’s azz.
Mike
May 10th, 2012
10:45 pm
Congrats to the Celtic fan…that being said….I wish nothing but the worse for their fake rough guys.
Bojack
May 10th, 2012
10:45 pm
Agree Joe T…well said.
bball2026
May 10th, 2012
10:45 pm
Anyone just see at the very end Ivan Johnson flip off the Celtics fans when he walked off the court just now on sportsouth?
Hawks v Celtics
May 10th, 2012
10:45 pm
back to the basics, next year their goal is to try and win at least 1 road game in the first round
drmaryb.(*_*).
May 10th, 2012
10:45 pm
BIGGIE LOU! not now man. Everyone has an opinion. Your reply was stupid.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
May 10th, 2012
10:45 pm
Hawks fought but the refs were on Boston’s side. What’s next for the Hawks?
Luke Cage
May 10th, 2012
10:45 pm
Hoe Johnson screwed us
Big Lou
May 10th, 2012
10:45 pm
I’m not even mad at the Hawks. They couldn’t beat Stern and his minions. Glad I don’t have to watch this lopsided favoritism anymore.
Go Braves!
Go Falcons!
tjhook
May 10th, 2012
10:46 pm
The Hawks do need stronger coaching. If for nothing else, we need to convince McGrady to come back and not have him leave because he has a poor relationship with LD. More importantly, someone who can draw up pick and roll or screen and rolls to help Joe Johnson get better looks when we want him to have the ball for scoring opportunities. I can’t stand looking at defense sag against Joe with his dribble-drive.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 10th, 2012
10:46 pm
HIRE JERRY SLOAN.
Offense lost us the game
mark33
May 10th, 2012
10:46 pm
I could only watch the 4th qtr… and i didn’t see Joe Johnson do anything except get a layup (that could have put the Hawks up 3 late) blocked.
You got to be kidding me! He’s your highest paid player?
And this has been going on for the last 5 years…
Sorry Joe, but you must go.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 10th, 2012
10:46 pm
Ivan Johnson flips off the Celtics fans
MistaGamer
May 10th, 2012
10:46 pm
Najeh … don’t waste your keystrokes on fools. Fools will say that lost the series after you got less than 17 pts a game from your 120M man.
THAD YOUNG & ALL US 76ERS
May 10th, 2012
10:47 pm
LOL HAHAHAHAHAHAH LOL HAHAHAHAHAHHHAHA LOL HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Walt Frazier
May 10th, 2012
10:47 pm
Blow up the team! Horford didn’t lose it; the Hawks overall lost it-as Charles & I, and over a couple hundred million people have predicted. Philly will win the next series over Boston. The Hawks were never ready. Even if they had won the series-Philly had the Hawks number and would have swept them in the next round. Say goodbye to Larry Drew. He’s outta here. Sell this team, ASG. Sund must go, as well. We should see big major core breakup over the summer 2012. Now we should focus on real basketball in the next and following rounds.
Tom
May 10th, 2012
10:47 pm
Yawn…can we get a coach that knows how to win?
justin
May 10th, 2012
10:47 pm
The Hawks should have played better, but they got hosed by the refs all night. Blatantly missed call at the end. Hawks should have had 2 ft’s plus the ball. Period.
nice shot josh
May 10th, 2012
10:47 pm
joe 7-18 from the field. 38%. way to earn that 100 mil.
drmaryb.(*_*).
May 10th, 2012
10:47 pm
REFS did us in! Very inconsistent calls!