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With the sequence nonetheless set in Atlanta for Recreation#4, the Celtics look to get again on monitor to take the sequence again to Boston up 3-1 somewhat than tied. The Celtics allowed the Hawks to play with extra vitality and energy in Recreation 3 and the Celtics did not rebound and to play protection. They should play with extra vitality and energy on this sport and so they additionally must play powerful protection for 48 minutes and go for each rebound in the event that they hope to get a win on this sport and keep away from going again to Boston with the sequence tied.
Since 1984, when the playoffs moved to a 16 workforce format, the workforce that wins the primary two video games at residence have gone on to win the sequence 93.9% of the time (184-12). When a workforce leads the sequence 2-1, they go on to win the sequence 79.2% (210-55). When a workforce leads a sequence 3-1, that workforce goes on to win the sequence 95.6% of the time (152-7). Now, with the 76ers sweep of the Nets, it’s extra necessary for the Celtics to complete off this sequence rapidly and never let it stretch out to six or 7 video games.
That is the thirteenth time that these two groups have met within the playoffs. Boston has gained 10 of the 12 sequence to date. Their final assembly was in 2016 when the Hawks gained the sequence 4-2. That low season, the Celtics signed Al Horford away from the Hawks in free company. The one different Hawks playoff win over the Celtics was in 1958 when the St. Louis Hawks gained the sequence in 6 video games. For the reason that Hawks moved from St. Louis to Atlanta in 1968, the Celtics have gained seven of eight playoff sequence on this matchup.
The Hawks nonetheless have nobody listed on their harm listing. Marcus Sensible and Robert Williams each took exhausting falls in Recreation 3. Timelord is just not on the harm listing however Marcus Sensible is listed as questionable as a result of a decrease again contusion. His standing shall be a sport time determination. I do know that if he can presumably play, he’ll. If he’s unable to play, I’d guess that White will transfer to level guard and Sam Houser will transfer into the beginning lineup. Danilo Gallinari (knee) stays out.
Possible Celtics Starters
Celtics Reserves
Malcolm Brogdon
Grant Williams
Sam Hauser
Luke Kornet
Blake Griffin
Mike Muscala
Payton Pritchard
Robert Williams III
Justin Champagnie
2 Approach Gamers
JD Davison
Mfiondu Kabengele
Out/Accidents
Danilo Gallinari (ACL) out
Marcus Sensible (again) questionable
Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla
Possible Hawks Starters
Hawks Reserves
Saddiq Bey
Bogdan Bogdanovic
Bruno Fernando
AJ Griffin
Aaron Vacation
Jalen Johnson
Vit Krejci
Tyrese Martin
Garrison Matthews
Onyeka Okongwu
2 Approach Gamers
Trent Forrest
Donovan Williams
Out/Accidents
None listed
Head Coach
Quin Snyder
Key Matchups
Marcus Sensible vs Trae Younger
Within the first two video games of the playoffs, Younger averaged 20 factors, 3 rebounds 7 assists and a pair of steals. He shot simply 34.4% from the sphere and 22.5% from past the arc. In Recreation 3, he upped his sport and completed with 32 factors, 6 rebounds, 9 assists and 1 steal. He shot 54.5% from the sphere and 33.3% from past the arc in Recreation 3. The Celtics have to be prepared for a extra assured Younger on this sport as nicely. Hopefully Marcus shall be good to go on this one as they’ll want his defensive vitality in opposition to Younger and to guide the workforce as nicely.
Derrick White vs DeJounte Murray
Murray has performed nicely in each video games to date. He averaged 26.5 factors, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and three.5 steals within the first two video games. He shot 42.9% from the sphere and 36.8% from past the arc. Within the third sport, he completed with 25 factors, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal. He shot 53.4% from the sphere and 33.3% from past the arc. As with Younger, Murray goes to return into this sport with lots of confidence and the Celtics must defend him nicely to maintain him from having one other huge sport.
Honorable Point out
Celtics Bench vs Hawks Bench
In Friday’s Recreation 3, the Hawks obtained 44 factors from their bench whereas the Celtics reserves contributed simply 35 factors. The Hawks additionally obtained 18 rebounds from their reserves to simply 9 for the Celtics reserves. Saddiq Bey (15 factors, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 71.4% capturing), Bogdan Bogdanovic (15 factors, 4 rebounds, 1 help, 1 steal, and 1 block, capturing 75% from the sphere) and Jalen Johnson (10 factors, 1 rebound, 4 assists and 1 steal, capturing 60% from the sphere) all got here up huge for the Hawks off the bench. The Celtics must defend them higher and likewise get higher manufacturing from their reserves.
Keys to the Recreation
Protection – Protection is at all times a key to successful video games and protection turns into much more necessary within the playoffs. The Celtics’ protection was superb within the first two video games however that defensive depth didn’t make the journey to Atlanta. They allowed Atlanta to attain 74 factors within the first half, and though they performed just a little higher on the defensive finish within the second half, the primary half gave the Hawks confidence. They Hawks shot 56% from the sphere and 44.1% from past the arc for the sport. Recreation 3 needs to be sufficient proof to the Celtics that they gained’t beat the Hawks in a shoot out. They should make protection a precedence and play powerful lock down protection on each possession of the sport.
Rebound – Subsequent to protection, rebounding is a key to successful. Within the 3 common season video games, Atlanta out-rebounded the Celtics 143-136. The Celtics out rebounded the Hawks 54-45 in Recreation 1 however the Hawks out-rebounded the Celtics 49-44 in Recreation 2 and so they out-rebounded the Celtics 48-29. The Celtics can’t enable the Hawks to get 19 extra rebounds than them and anticipate to win the sport. The Hawks had 19 offensive rebounds for 13 second likelihood factors in Recreation 2 and so they had 11 offensive rebounds for 23 second likelihood factors in Recreation 3. The Celtics must aggressively go after each rebound. They will’t afford to provide the Hawks additional possessions by permitting them to seize rebounds.
Be Aggressive – The Hawks play exhausting and so they out-played the Celtics in Recreation 3. The Hawks have been the extra aggressive workforce and so they performed more durable and with extra vitality. The Celtics have to be the workforce that performs more durable and that wishes this win extra. They should be aggressive in diving for unfastened balls, in going to the basket, in getting stops on the defensive finish, and in going after rebounds. The Celtics must play with vitality and aggressiveness for 48 minutes on this sport with no let up. They will’t let the Hawks be the extra aggressive workforce.
Get to the Basket – The Celtics made 21 threes in Recreation 3 and shot 43.8% from past the arc. Nevertheless, that they had simply 40 factors within the paint to 54 for the Hawks. Within the Celtics’ win in Recreation 1, each groups had 54 factors within the paint. Within the Celtics’ win in sport 2, the Celtics had 64 factors within the paint to simply 40 for the Hawks. The Celtics must get to the basket extra and never depend upon 3 pointers a lot. They’ve been profitable on this sequence after they drive and get to the basket however not a lot after they don’t.
X-Components
On the Street – The Celtics are enjoying on the highway for the second straight sport. They allowed the Hawks to play more durable than them and misplaced the primary sport in Atlanta. They’ve to remain targeted on enjoying their sport and never be distracted by the journey and on the hostile crowd. The Hawks play a lot better at residence and so the Celtics should work even more durable to get a win of their constructing.
Teaching – The Hawks have a really veteran coach in Quin Snyder, however he has solely been teaching the Hawks for 25 video games. Snyder was head coach of the Utah Jazz for 8 seasons earlier than resigning there. These are the seventh straight playoffs for Snyder, which is the longest streak by any energetic head coach. Joe Mazzulla gained the primary 2 video games in Boston however Snyder gained the primary sport in Atlanta. Snyder made changes going into Recreation 3 and so they have been clearly profitable. Now it’s Mazzulla’s flip to counter these and make changes of his personal.
Officiating – Officiating is at all times an x-factor. Each crew calls the sport just a little in a different way with some calling it tight and others letting them play. Some refs simply make head scratching calls whereas others strive very exhausting to get them proper. In lots of video games, they name the sport tight within the first half after which loosen up on the calls within the second half or vice versa. The Celtics have to regulate to how the sport is being referred to as and concentrate on enjoying the sport and never on the unhealthy calls or no calls.
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