this might be stating the obvious, because the home team is 4-0, but i think HC might mean alot this series. i believe we are seeing emotion vs execution. when atl is on fire, going crazy and hustling everywhere, they are a different team. and hc ahs something to do with that. boston will execute well enough at home. by that theory, we're going 7.
those who have seen these games, explain, how such thing can happen? durinng regular season bos routed atl, routed them in first two games but now is series tied... And atl has scored more than 90 pts while det has not been capable of this...
Atlanta has a go-to guy in Johnson whereas Pistons don't have anything like that when they need a basket. It does help when someone can actually slash and finish at the rim.
most probably bos just overlooked this series. It is pretty logical that they thought that opponent has surrended and series has done. Same as pistons.
Atlanta has raised their level but Boston was already playing playoff type ball in the regular season so they don't seem to have that much more to raise. Boston spent a lot of energy during the game and the Hawks somehow stayed in it. Then, Boston started to tire. Garnet looked tired at the end. Atlanta youth also took Perkins, Big Baby etc. out of it. The Celtics big three are a bit older and have relied on the young players to give them a boost. Rondo was stuffed a few times at the net for example. This is the first time the Boston defense was exposed...Long term, their odds for a championship just went up a bit... Historically, Pierce and Garnett and even Allen have not been consistent at the end of games. They played well but not great tonight at the end. But I give the Celtic team credit, they play hard and at a very good level the whole game. We have to take care of our own business. Orlando is no chump team anymore...
Thats the main thing. They are 3 guys who have not been able to do accomplish much in the league for all their talent. They have not been able to carry their former teams. Where were Allen and Pierce in crunch time? Take those 3 away and their role players and about on par with Atlanta's. East is looking wide open if the Pistons want it. I have to think this is going to inspire them.
Over at the celtics-nation they are talking about Doc being outcoached. I guess welcome to the Pistons world.
True but he looked so stoppable. Throwing up those mid-range floaters like that, right in-between 2 players.
fom here:CelticsBlog.com - A Boston Celtics Blogging Community - For Celtics, Next Stop: Choke City This sentiment was re-iterated by coach Doc Rivers during his post-game press conference. Rivers said that when he walked into the locker room players were half-heartedly re-assuring himself that “things would be fine” as soon as they got back home, as if that was the elixir to fix their ills. But Rivers was spot on when he told them, “YOU have to make it right, it’s not going to happen on its own.” no need to overanalyse( doc being overcoached etc.), overpanick, their 3 HoF's were not ready to fight that is all. And atl has played way above their level, such things in NBA wont last long.
The Celtics 4th quarter/clutch game stategy is all wrong. Their two main problems are 1/ Only PP can create his own shot, and 2/ they rely on Garnett way too much in crunch time when the ball should be going to Ray Allen. He's by far their best "clutch" player. Also PP is injured, don't know how much that's playing a role if at all. If ATL can steal Game 5, BOS should be scared. Other than that it'll go either 6 or 7 and then they get a more preferable match-up (same as the Pistons), but we'll see if either team has anything left.
Ray Allen couldn't stay in front of Joe to save his life. The pick and roll defense that he and Rondo displayed was horrible. ESPN actually shows Doc on the sideline after one play yelling "Damn you Ray!"
Celts don't look quite so scary now, do they? I don't know how anyone can be overconfident after Golden State knocked off Dallas last year. So what if the Hawks are playing over their heads like the 6ers. They just have to win 4 out of 7.
How weird is it that these eastern conference matchups have been more interesting than the first round in the West? I never would have guessed that going in to the playoffs...
