Atlanta Hawks: Celtics 89, Hawks 81 (updated)
The Hawks got off to a fast start, but fell apart and lost to the Celtics on Saturday night, 89-81. Josh Smith finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds. The AJC’s Chris Vivlamore reports.
Vivlamore reporting.
The Hawks had a chance.
They could have served notice to the nemesis Celtics that they are that team anymore. The team the Celtics have owned in recent years.
However, the Hawks let a 19-point second-quarter lead evaporate – in less than 12 minutes – in a 89-81 loss to the Celtics Saturday night at Philips Arena.
The Celtics got physical with the Hawks and they did not respond – a fact that had coach Larry Drew ‘concerned’ following the game.
“This is a very, very disappointing loss,” Drew said. “Probably, for me, the most disappointing loss of the season for the mere fact of playing against a team we have battled in the past and we’ve seen this type of scenario before where we have played well and then when it starts to get a little bit physical, when they start playing a little bit rougher, when they start make things a little more difficult for us, we don’t respond. That was clearly what happened tonight.
“I’m concerned because this is the NBA and you have to expect that. When you play against teams that do smack you, you have to respond. It’s just the way it is. Everybody has to do it. Every team in this league has to do it. When you don’t’ do it you get labeled. You get a tag on you. That’s the last thing I want to happen to my ball club.”
The Hawks lost six of nine game games against the Celtics last season, including a first-round playoff defeat (4-2). The only regular-season game the Hawks won came when the Celtics played without Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen. The Celtics also won the memorable seven-game playoff series in 2008 when much of the history between the teams began.
The Celtics entered the third quarter trailing by 15 points. They came out of the period leading by nine points, 71-62. They used a 33-9 third quarter run to erase the deficit as the Hawks shot a meager 14.3 percent (2 of 9) coming out of halftime.
“You can’t compound things,” Drew said. “You can’t keep turning the ball over. You can’t have bad shot selection. You can’t have defensive breakdowns. That just adds more and more problems to the equation. And then you sense the body language. And I sensed it, honestly, at the end of the second quarter because they were playing us a little bit physical. I’m sure they went into halftime and said ‘Guys, all we have to do is keep climbing, keep pushing up in them, and we’ll get back in the game.’ That’s exactly what happened.”
The Hawks (20-12) have lost two straight and three of their past four games. After managing to cut their deficit to five points, 79-74, in the fourth quarter the Celtics scored six straight points to regain a comfortable margin.
Lou Williams led the Hawks with a season-high 28 points, 21 coming in the first half. Jeff Teague added 17 points and Josh Smith had 12 points and 10 rebounds.
“Defensively, I think they did a great job of making it tough for us to catch,” Williams said. “They were pressuring everything. They made it tough for Jeff to get us into plays. They made it tough for us on our in-bounds plays. That’s been their makeup for a number of years. They’ve always been known as a defensive team and tonight we got the worst of it.”
The Celtics (16-17) have won two straight after a four-game losing skid.
Rondo had his 25th career triple-double with 14 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds. Pierce had 26 points and Garnett added 14 points.
Rondo escaped a possible ejection and fine when he made contact with official Rodney Mott while arguing a called for a charge with 3:19 remaining in the third quarter.
The Hawks led by as many as 13 points in the first quarter and 19 points in the second quarter. They took a 53-38 lead into halftime.
Williams’ 21 first-half points tied the team record for most points in a half this season. Smith also had 21 in a Dec. 26 game against the Pistons. Williams scored 17 of the Hawks’ first 23 points, all in the opening quarter, as the team shot 60 percent (12 of 20) from the field. They ended the half shooting 52.5 percent, including 7 of 15 3-point attempts.
The big lead was for naught – gone in minutes. The Hawks are left licking their wounds it what could have been a statement game.
Drew canceled a planned day off Sunday and called a team practice.
“I don’t really get it how an opponent can get (us) out of the game for 48 minutes,” Zaza Pachulia said. “I don’t know what else to tell you. It’s all about us. We should all look in the mirror, all of us, the whole team.”
- Chris Vivlamore
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* Williams to remain in starting lineup
* Behind the scenes photo gallery
* Drew named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month
* Drew looking for more minutes for Jenkins
* Drew concerned Hawks settling for 3-pointers in transition
* Harris, Morrow not on trip to Houston
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192 comments Add your comment
cp
January 6th, 2013
12:03 pm
And for the record if we can get an upgrade at pg I’m all for it but I don’t see anyway we can. Cp3 is not leaving the Clippers. Rondo is not available and the other elite guys are locked into contracts and I dont see them being moved anytime soon.
jo
January 6th, 2013
12:18 pm
sorry but the refs did have something to do with this game. everytime the hawks started to stop the celtics momentum there were bad calls, 99% in favor of the Celtics. Yes the Hawks could have should have played better. However without all of dozens of questionable calls, the Hawks still would have won this game. Having said that we need Korver on the floor as this is when the Hawks are scoring and feeding off each other. I do wish Josh was consistent….but dont see that hapening.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
January 6th, 2013
12:22 pm
FIRE LD
FIRE SUND (HE IS STILL AFFILIATED WITH THE FRANCHISE)
FIRE WOODY
REHIRE WEISS
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
January 6th, 2013
12:26 pm
KG SHOULD BE SUSPENDED FOR TRYING TO KICK ZAZA ON THAT LOOSE BALL FALL BY THE CELTICS BENCH. HE INTENTIONALLY TRIED TO KICK ZAZA. HOW IS THIS ANY BETTER THAN ELBOWING SOMEONE/ATTEMPTING TO ELBOW/KICKING SOMEONE IN THE NUTS
keith
January 6th, 2013
12:26 pm
AL HORFORD LOOKED WEAK AND INEFFECTIVE LAST NIGHT….JOSH SMITH WAS, WELL, JUST PLAIN JOSH….JEFF TEAGUE, WAS A DEAR IN HEADLIGHTS…
(1) Heart
(2) Brain
(3) Courage
Characteristics that are needed most by these 3 STOOGES…..
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
January 6th, 2013
12:27 pm
*FOUL
Slimjr
January 6th, 2013
12:28 pm
“Moving Forward, after watching this same act from our “leadership”, I have to painfully admit that the time has come for a (1) New Head Coach (2) New Starting Center (3) New Starting Power Forward.”
These three amigos will keep the streak alive for this Franchise..
46 years and counting…
Slimjr
January 6th, 2013
12:30 pm
Talent is #1 problem
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
January 6th, 2013
12:31 pm
Package D. Harris and Morrow for a freaking SF.
We have no wings on this team. Kyle korver is what we got, and DeShawn can’t guard anyone anymore. No, he is not good defensively ANYMORE, despite people who claim he is a great defender.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
January 6th, 2013
12:35 pm
LD, CAN YOU CALL OUT JOSH SMITH PLEASE?
OR WILL EVERY CALL-OUT BE ON JEFF TEAGUE
Dept. Of Unintended Irony
January 6th, 2013
12:47 pm
“JEFF TEAGUE, WAS A DEAR IN HEADLIGHTS…”
Who knew that Teague was so “dear” to keith?
brigadierjerry
January 6th, 2013
12:48 pm
Grandad and others may be right about Teague. I like Teague. I am not sure if he is a leader. I think he fears Josh. It would be interesting if Josh wasnt on the team how Teague would play. I think if LD doenst get to second round or have a strong showing getting to a 6th or 7th game in second round, LD will not be back
LD not really playing Ivan or Zaza is baffling. Hawks are in a tough spot going forward.They will have a lot of cap space but I definetely do not see Cp3 coming here. The Clippers are playing really well. Also I would like to see Dwight Howard come to atlanta and take a pay cut I dont see it. He can get one less year here then he would if he resigns in LA. It is similar to Deron Williams would been out of 20 million if he left for Dallas and not resign in Brooklyn.
I do think at the end of the year if none of the major free agents come I kind of would like the team to become somewhat of a balanced team attack and build the team similar to how Denver is.
I understand that DF wants to build the team similar to San Antonio is built but the problem is the Hawks do not have Tim Duncan and their isnt one in the draft.
keith
January 6th, 2013
12:49 pm
The Boston Celtics, currently 8th seed in the Eastern Conference, came into this game with a record of 15-17. The average age of the Celtic’s starters, are over 30 years of age.
Who’s closer to the 3 seed and who’s closer to being an 8th seed???
Going forward, who will advance farther or deeper in the playoffs???
What’s the problem with records and numbers???
keith
January 6th, 2013
12:56 pm
Maybe, Once Ray Lewis, AKA, Ray-Ray, is done, he can come here to Atlanta and light a fire under some of our “Soft A_ _ Bigs.” Lord knows they need someone to fire them up!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
January 6th, 2013
1:15 pm
Some good news: apparently the Hawks have the right to swap 2014 and 2015 first round picks with Brooklyn as a result of the Joe Johnson trade. Don’t know if that was previously reported or not, but I don’t remember hearing about it.
Slimjr
January 6th, 2013
1:16 pm
These Bigs do not possess ECF/Champioship NBA skills…
D-Legaue? Yes…
Dismantle this front line yesterday….
Najeh Davenpoop
January 6th, 2013
1:17 pm
In other news, Zaza’s free agent stock is rising according to Hoopsworld.
Slimjr
January 6th, 2013
1:18 pm
Championship*
The Truth
January 6th, 2013
1:22 pm
Hawk Fans let not your heart be troubled, if you believe in watching “good” basketball, then believe also in “The Truth”
Give Doc and the Celtics some credit, their defense against the Hawks was a masterpiece. After being thoroughly beaten in the first-half, Doc sized-up the Hawks and made “military-like” defensive adjustments. He targeted the biggest threats on the Hawks team and neutralized them or took them out.
Jeff Teague – Dribble Penetration threat was neutralized by corralling him with a “roving wall” and daring him to shoot perimeter jumpers which he had loss confidence after applying amped-up “aggressive” pressure (Celtic style)
Lou William – The biggest scoring threat was neutralized by crowding him with “long” multiple defenders who cheated on defense. The cheating defender was often guarding Josh.
Kyle Korver – The biggest “3-ball” threat was removed by getting him in foul trouble as Paul Pierce (as always) worked the refs.
Al Horford – A big internal threat was neutralized by physically and mentally roughing him up and allowing him no space to “pop” or maneuver inside.
Josh Smith – Another internal threat was neutralized by simply “baiting” him (by leaving him wide open from the perimeter) to shoot jumpers. They would give him space from the perimeter but crowd him in the paint. Josh may be concerned an athletic sensation but his not clutch and the Doc knows it. The more the Hawks decline in desperate, the more Josh makes it worse with his “me-ball” one-on-one plays.
As usual LD preached a good “post-game sermon” about the Hawks being soft as if he was fully aware of the situation in “real-time” but his actions in “real-time” suggested he was clueless with his rotation. He should know “by now” who his “tough guys” are on the roster (that being Ivan and Zaza) and they were not in the lineup when it mattered in the 2nd half.
So as usual, LD says one thing but does the opposite; throwing his team under the bus in public may backfire on him if his team does not respond.
Slimjr
January 6th, 2013
1:29 pm
“As usual LD preached a good “post-game sermon” about the Hawks being soft as if he was fully aware of the situation in “real-time” but his actions in “real-time” suggested he was clueless with his rotation. He should know “by now” who his “tough guys” are on the roster (that being Ivan and Zaza) and they were not in the lineup when it mattered in the 2nd half.” The Truth
So Larry is part of the problem and not [The Solution]…
The Playoffs will expose him again.. Or should I say Doc will expose him again..
Brian Shaw Brian Shaw Brian Shaw Brian Shaw
The Truth
January 6th, 2013
1:31 pm
“Josh may be considered an athletic sensation but his not clutch and the Doc knows it. The more the Hawks decline in desperation, the more Josh makes it worse with his “me-ball” one-on-one plays.”
The Truth
January 6th, 2013
1:37 pm
“So Larry is part of the problem and not [The Solution]…” – slimjr
Yes Slimjr that is “The Truth” as it is coming to light. The PR spin to actually fire him will be made easier if we tank rapidly.
ejh
January 6th, 2013
1:47 pm
First off I am very disappointed in the Hawks lost. As fans we would like for our team to go undefeated in the regualar season at 82-0;and undefeated in the playoffs 16-0 and be crowned champions at the end. Not realistic and will never happen even to the best of teams. So with that being said the hawks are 20-12, and 3rd in the east. People expectations around this blog is way off the charts for this team. You act as if this is a constructed championship team, it is not. Stop expecting the hawks to win every game, because they are going to lose at least 20 more. And if they do lose 20 more their record at the end of the season will be 50-32, and probably still a 3rd seed. what an accomplishment for a team slated not to make the playoffs. You guys need to temper your expectations of this team and be more realistic about what they can accomplish.
The Truth
January 6th, 2013
2:02 pm
I see the media is pouncing after that Celtics loss:
“Atlanta? I’m not buying Atlanta. Dwight didn’t want anything to do with his hometown when he was looking for a door out of Orlando. The Hawks were not on his list of preferred big-market destinations. To recap: Howard’s original list was topped by the Brooklyn Nets and then Dallas and L.A , or L.A. and Dallas.” – Orlando Sentinel
ejh
January 6th, 2013
2:05 pm
Now a couple of things as far as the lost to the celtics last night. LD is correct this team is a bit soft. You do not build a 19 point cushion and then at the sign of some adversity fall apart. To me that showed not heart and a willingness not to fight but give up. A good analogy is when the bully on the playground hits you, you etiher run the other way when you see him coming, or tell the teacher, but the bully does not stop bulling until a group of people get together and stand up to him, that is when he backs down. The Hawks did not rally around each other and stand up to the bullying celtics. If they had the celtics would have backed down. When you set a screen you set a harder screen to make them feel it. when you cut off a screen you cut harder and sharper. When you drive the basketball go hard, you are going to get file but do not be afraid of the contact because you are going to get it, and it is going to be hard, accept it and go to the foul line and knock down your foul shots. This is how you shed the label of being soft. It is just having more heart and being more physical and not afraid of putting your body on the line. This is what these hawks need to learn to be a better team. And when you have a 19 point lead you have to have the mentality to want to push to 30 not to relax and say if they make a couple of baskets we still got a 10 point lead, becaause if you are not making shots to maintain the lead the momentum swithches and you start to get tight and feel pressure. These hawks have a lot to learn about the mental aspect of the game, it is not the physical tools that they do not have, it is the mental aspect.
The Truth
January 6th, 2013
2:09 pm
“And if they do lose 20 more their record at the end of the season will be 50-32, and probably still a 3rd seed.” – ejh
Based on the way they were constructed, it is better for them not to be 3rd seed. It is likely better for them to be a 6-8 seed and come into the playoff as the underdog with low expectation.
Grandad
January 6th, 2013
2:11 pm
ejh
” You guys need to temper your expectations of this team
and be more realistic about what they can accomplish ”
I try very hard to do as much. … G`Dad
ejh
January 6th, 2013
2:23 pm
Given the hawks personell situation with so many injuries; Larry Drew who I think is a top ten coach in this league, needs to look at changing the lineup with the injuries and now maybe even more with a declining Stephenson. Last night you got hardly any bench scoring. Lou needs to go back to the bench, to help that, and maybe even kyle Korver needs to help off the bench. Moving Jenkins into the starting lineup will help his confindence and Teague does not have to defer to lou so much on the offensive end. Plus we do not have a backup point guard at this moment and these guys are now having to log heavy minutes. Lou can help at point coming off the bench at PG and Korver at SG. The projected starting lineup should be: Teague, Jenkins, Smith, Horford, ZsaZsa. If you do not want to use ZsaZsa in the starting lineup because there is not Center off the bench that you can depend on then either put Ivan or Tolliver in the starting lineup; Then go with; teague PG; Jenkins SG, Tolliver SF, Josh at PF Al at Center. Then go with Lou at PG Stephenson at SG Korver at SF and Ivan at PF and ZsaZsa at center. This would then keep the starters fresh and would keep scoring up coming off the bench. These adjustments should be made going forward until enough healthy bodies in Harris and Morrow are back.
ejh
January 6th, 2013
2:23 pm
Given the hawks personell situation with so many injuries; Larry Drew who I think is a top ten coach in this league, needs to look at changing the lineup with the injuries and now maybe even more with a declining Stephenson. Last night you got hardly any bench scoring. Lou needs to go back to the bench, to help that, and maybe even kyle Korver needs to help off the bench. Moving Jenkins into the starting lineup will help his confindence and Teague does not have to defer to lou so much on the offensive end. Plus we do not have a backup point guard at this moment and these guys are now having to log heavy minutes. Lou can help at point coming off the bench at PG and Korver at SG. The projected starting lineup should be: Teague, Jenkins, Smith, Horford, ZsaZsa. If you do not want to use ZsaZsa in the starting lineup because there is not Center off the bench that you can depend on then either put Ivan or Tolliver in the starting lineup; Then go with; teague PG; Jenkins SG, Tolliver SF, Josh at PF Al at Center. Then go with Lou at PG Stephenson at SG Korver at SF and Ivan at PF and ZsaZsa at center. This would then keep the starters fresh and would keep scoring up coming off the bench. These adjustments should be made going forward until enough healthy bodies in Harris and Morrow are back.
ejh
January 6th, 2013
2:23 pm
Given the hawks personell situation with so many injuries; Larry Drew who I think is a top ten coach in this league, needs to look at changing the lineup with the injuries and now maybe even more with a declining Stephenson. Last night you got hardly any bench scoring. Lou needs to go back to the bench, to help that, and maybe even kyle Korver needs to help off the bench. Moving Jenkins into the starting lineup will help his confindence and Teague does not have to defer to lou so much on the offensive end. Plus we do not have a backup point guard at this moment and these guys are now having to log heavy minutes. Lou can help at point coming off the bench at PG and Korver at SG. The projected starting lineup should be: Teague, Jenkins, Smith, Horford, ZsaZsa. If you do not want to use ZsaZsa in the starting lineup because there is not Center off the bench that you can depend on then either put Ivan or Tolliver in the starting lineup; Then go with; teague PG; Jenkins SG, Tolliver SF, Josh at PF Al at Center. Then go with Lou at PG Stephenson at SG Korver at SF and Ivan at PF and ZsaZsa at center. This would then keep the starters fresh and would keep scoring up coming off the bench. These adjustments should be made going forward until enough healthy bodies in Harris and Morrow are back.
Ignition
January 6th, 2013
2:25 pm
Teams Lose Games
I’m not upset with the Team as much as am ANGER at an apathetic fan base that allowed the Celtics to have a home game in Atlanta. It completely tapped TE energy away from the Hawks last night it was Horrible and EMBARRASING .. With all the flaws the Hawks were still on contention to win that game except they didnt have home court advantage last night .. Disgusting
Grandad
January 6th, 2013
2:26 pm
Slim the jr
Trust me on this:::
We want No part of the ” TriangleOffense ” !
Brian Shaw may very well be an excellent coach;
but it he is tied to thr [Tri Off] then No, I repeat No.
The Triangle is predicated on having at least “1″ SuperDuperStar
on the perimeter that can score [get his own shot] in isolation.
*think MJ, Kobe, [of course] or even Melo.
Also his SDS needs a *2nd superstar or a:
“Robin to play off the # 1`s Batman” preferrably a scoring post.
Triangle is a mis-nomer;
in that all the triangle means is the geometry of spacing
within the offense.
It really has nothing to do with “triple post” as some think.
I think BShaw has had difficulty landing a job for this reason:
the perception, real or non, that he is a Triangle advocate.
The Triangle works really well with really Great players !
SteveW
January 6th, 2013
2:41 pm
Najeh – buddy and I went on about the 1st pick swaps with the nets a couple of days ago.
bfatt
January 6th, 2013
2:54 pm
Josh and teague too dallas for dirk
keith
January 6th, 2013
2:59 pm
I like the potential of this kid Anthony Bennett. He may be available when we pick…He is a taller version of Charles Barkley….same skill-set.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 6th, 2013
3:02 pm
“I’m not upset with the Team as much as am ANGER at an apathetic fan base that allowed the Celtics to have a home game in Atlanta. It completely tapped TE energy away from the Hawks last night it was Horrible and EMBARRASING”
What is this fan base supposed to be excited about? The Celtics have 27 championships. The Hawks have never been to an Eastern Conference Finals. Maybe if the Hawks had done more over their history to get fans on their side, more ATLiens would care about the Hawks and more carpetbaggers would have abandoned their old team.
Big Ray
January 6th, 2013
3:10 pm
O’Brien,
I can see Teague in that role. He just isn’t a leader right now, maybe he never will be.
Your trade proposals make some sense. …
Big Ray
January 6th, 2013
3:14 pm
We have a guy on the sidelines that is lacking.
We have no real floor leaders, just some guys named as team captains.
Our most talented players are mentally soft (Al) or mentally unfocused (Josh). Ready for a trade. There is no one on this roster that you can “build around.”
Chris Vivlamore
January 6th, 2013
3:20 pm
Fair warning. New blog to be posted soon.
SteveW
January 6th, 2013
3:32 pm
Rondo and pp killed us, Bottomline. Basically no answer for pp.
Play Ivan more!
January 6th, 2013
3:39 pm
Horford basically is a choirboy out there. Celtics kicked sand in the face of the Hawks. Solution: Play Ivan more! Play Ivan more! Play Ivan more! Play Ivan more! And also play Zaza! Zaza! Zaza! Those 2 guys are Hawks’ only physcal guys. They don’t play; Hawks beat no physical teams. Drew is to blame for this game!!
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