The sequence strikes to Atlanta for Recreation 3 of the opening spherical with the Celtics main the sequence 2-0. The Celtics have regarded very sturdy within the first two video games at residence, however the Hawks will doubtless play a lot better at residence with their followers behind them. Within the common season, the Hawks have been simply 17-24 on the street however they have been 24-17 at him, displaying that they’re a a lot better crew at residence.
This recreation is essential for the Celtics probabilities to win the sequence. Groups that win the primary two video games of a best-of-seven sequence at residence go on to win the sequence 94.0% of the time (236-15). Groups that lead a best-of-seven sequence 2-1 go on to win the sequence 79.8% of the time (308-78). Nonetheless, groups that win the primary three video games of a best-of-seven sequence go on to win the sequence 100% of the time (127-0).
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. Because the Hawks moved from St. Louis to Atlanta in 1968, the Celtics have gained seven of eight playoff sequence on this matchup.
Each of those groups have been lucky to have good well being going into the sequence and after 2 video games, nonetheless are largely wholesome. The most important well being concern is Jaylen Brown who has been taking part in with a lower on his taking pictures hand that has been therapeutic but in addition giving him some issues. Presently solely Danilo Gallinari (knee) is on the harm listing for the Celtics whereas the Hawks don’t have any gamers listed.
Possible Celtics Starters
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Celtics ReservesMalcolm BrogdonGrant WilliamsSam HauserLuke KornetBlake GriffinMike MuscalaPayton Pritchard Robert Williams III Justin Champagnie
2 Means PlayersJD DavisonMfiondu Kabengele
Out/InjuriesDanilo Gallinari (ACL) out
Head CoachJoe Mazzulla
Possible Hawks Starters
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Hawks ReservesSaddiq BeyBogdan BogdanovicBruno FernandoAJ GriffinAaron HolidayJalen JohnsonVit KrejciTyrese MartinGarrison MatthewsOnyeka Okongwu
2 Means PlayersTrent ForrestDonovan Williams
Out/Accidents None listed
Head CoachQuin Snyder
Key Matchups
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Marcus Good vs Trae Younger Younger averaged 26.2 factors, 3.0 rebounds, 10.2 assists and 1.1 steals per recreation within the common season. He shot 43.0% from the sphere and 33.5% from past the arc. In two video games towards the Celtics this season, Younger averaged 31 factors, 4 rebounds, and 11 assists per recreation. Nonetheless, within the playoffs to date, he has averaged 20 factors, 3 rebounds 7 assists and a couple of steals. He shot simply 34.4% from the sphere and 22.5% from past the arc within the first 2 video games. He has stated that he’ll play higher on this recreation and the Celtics have to be prepared for him to play more durable and sure shoot higher.
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Derrick White vs DeJounte MurrayMurray averaged 20.5 factors, 5.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.5 steals per recreation within the common season. He shot 46.4% from the sphere and 34.4% from past the arc. In 2 video games towards the Celtics this season, he averaged 16.5 factors, 3.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and a couple of.0 steals per recreation. 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. The Celtics might want to work laborious on each ends of the court docket to get the higher of this matchup.
Honorable MentionMalcolm Brogdon vs Bogdan Bogdanovic Within the common season, Bogdanovic averaged 14 factors, 3.1 rebounds, and a couple of.8 assists off the bench. He shot 44.7% from the sphere and 40.6% from past the arc. Within the playoffs to date, he’s averaging 13.5 factors, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. He’s shot 47.6% from the sphere and 42.9% from past the arc within the first 2 video games. He’s an excellent 3 level shooter and is a participant the Celtics have to defend nicely as he may warmth up rapidly if left open. Malcolm Brogdon is the newly topped sixth Man of the 12 months and the Celtics will want an excellent recreation from him.
Keys to the Recreation Protection – Protection is all the time a key to successful video games and protection turns into much more vital within the playoffs. The Celtics have a defensive ranking of 110.6 which is 2nd whereas the Hawks have a defensive ranking of 115.4, which is twenty second. Despite having the 2nd finest defensive ranking within the common season, no Celtics obtained votes for defensive participant of the 12 months. Their protection has been good within the first two video games and so they should proceed to make protection a precedence on this recreation and so they need to play that robust protection for 48 minutes and never let up.
Rebound – Subsequent to protection, rebounding is a key to successful. A lot of rebounding is effort and need. The Hawks averaged 44.4 rebounds per recreation within the common season (tenth) whereas the Celtics averaged 45.3 rebounds per recreation (seventh). Within the 3 common season video games, Atlanta out-rebounded the Celtics 143-136. The Hawks out-rebounded the Warmth 63-39 within the play-in recreation. The Celtics out rebounded the Hawks 54-45 in Recreation 1 however the Hawks out-rebounded the Celtics 49-44 in Recreation 2. The Hawks had 19 offensive rebounds for 13 second probability factors in Recreation 2. The Celtics have to aggressively go after each rebound. They will’t afford to offer the Hawks additional possessions by permitting them to seize rebounds.
Take Care of the Ball – The Celtics averaged simply 13.4 turnovers throughout the common season (seventh). Final 12 months within the playoffs, they turned the ball over 353 instances, which was essentially the most of all of the playoff groups. That they had over 30 extra turnovers than Golden State. In Recreation 1, the Celtics had 17 turnovers, which led to 19 factors for the Hawks. In Recreation 2, they they’d 16 turnovers for 14 factors. The Celtics have to remain centered and never make careless passes and watch out to not permit the Hawks to get steals as a consequence of careless dribbling. They need to maintain the ball and never give Hawks straightforward factors by turning it over.
Be Aggressive – The Celtics can’t afford to come back in anticipating a simple win after out-playing the Hawks within the first 2 video games. That will be a giant mistake as a result of the Hawks play laborious and can come on the Celtics laborious, particularly since they’re taking part in at residence. The Celtics should be the crew that performs more durable and that desires this win extra. They need to 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 have to play with vitality and aggressiveness for 48 minutes on this recreation with no let up.
X-FactorsOn the Street – The Celtics are taking part in on the street for the primary time in these playoffs. They gained their two residence video games and now they’ve to remain centered on taking part in their recreation and never be distracted by taking part in on the street and on journey and on the hostile crowd (though the final time the Celtics performed in Atlanta, there have been virtually as many Celtics followers within the crowd as Hawks followers). The Hawks play a lot better at residence and so the Celtics need to work even more durable to get a win on the street.
Teaching – The Hawks have a really veteran coach in Quin Snyder, however he has solely been teaching the Hawks for twenty-four 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 lively head coach. Joe Mazzulla gained the primary 2 video games in Boston, however Recreation 3 is the place teaching turns into much more vital. Snyder will watch movie and make changes and it will likely be as much as Joe Mazzulla to counter these changes.
Officiating – Officiating is all the time an x-factor. Each crew calls the sport somewhat in another way with some calling it tight and others letting them play. Some refs simply make head scratching calls whereas others strive very laborious 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 taking part in the sport and never on the unhealthy calls or no calls.
