With the sequence nonetheless set in Atlanta for Recreation#4, the Celtics look to get again on observe to take the sequence again to Boston up 3-1 fairly than tied. The Celtics allowed the Hawks to play with extra vitality and energy in Recreation 3 and the Celtics didn’t rebound and to play protection. They should play with extra vitality and energy on this recreation 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 recreation and keep away from going again to Boston with the sequence tied.
Since 1984, when the playoffs moved to a 16 crew format, the crew that wins the primary two video games at dwelling have gone on to win the sequence 93.9% of the time (184-12). When a crew leads the sequence 2-1, they go on to win the sequence 79.2% (210-55). When a crew leads a sequence 3-1, that crew goes on to win the sequence 95.6% of the time (152-7). Now, with the 76ers sweep of the Nets, it’s extra vital 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 received 10 of the 12 sequence up to now. Their final assembly was in 2016 when the Hawks received 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 received the sequence in 6 video games. Because the Hawks moved from St. Louis to Atlanta in 1968, the Celtics have received seven of eight playoff sequence on this matchup.
The Hawks nonetheless have nobody listed on their damage record. Marcus Good and Robert Williams each took laborious falls in Recreation 3. Timelord is just not on the damage record however Marcus Good is listed as questionable because of a decrease again contusion. His standing will probably be a recreation time choice. I do know that if he can probably play, he’ll. If he’s unable to play, I might 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
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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) outMarcus Good (again) questionable
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 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 recreation 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 recreation as nicely. Hopefully Marcus will probably be good to go on this one as they’ll want his defensive vitality in opposition to Younger and to guide the crew as nicely.
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Derrick White vs DeJounte MurrayMurray has performed nicely in each video games up to now. 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 recreation, 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 recreation with numerous confidence and the Celtics must defend him nicely to maintain him from having one other massive recreation.
Honorable MentionCeltics Bench vs Hawks BenchIn Friday’s Recreation 3, the Hawks received 44 factors from their bench whereas the Celtics reserves contributed simply 35 factors. The Hawks additionally received 18 rebounds from their reserves to simply 9 for the Celtics reserves. Saddiq Bey (15 factors, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 71.4% taking pictures), Bogdan Bogdanovic (15 factors, 4 rebounds, 1 help, 1 steal, and 1 block, taking pictures 75% from the sphere) and Jalen Johnson (10 factors, 1 rebound, 4 assists and 1 steal, taking pictures 60% from the sphere) all got here up massive for the Hawks off the bench. The Celtics must defend them higher and in addition 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 vital within the playoffs. The Celtics’ protection was excellent 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 a bit 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 received’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 count on 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’ll’t afford to offer the Hawks additional possessions by permitting them to seize rebounds.
Be Aggressive – The Hawks play laborious and so they out-played the Celtics in Recreation 3. The Hawks have been the extra aggressive crew and so they performed more durable and with extra vitality. The Celtics should be the crew that performs more durable and that desires this win extra. They need to be aggressive in diving for free 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 recreation with no let up. They’ll’t let the Hawks be the extra aggressive crew.
Get to the Basket – The Celtics made 21 threes in Recreation 3 and shot 43.8% from past the arc. Nevertheless, they’d 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 recreation 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 rely on 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-FactorsOn the Highway – The Celtics are enjoying on the street for the second straight recreation. They allowed the Hawks to play more durable than them and misplaced the primary recreation in Atlanta. They’ve to remain centered on enjoying their recreation and never be distracted by the journey and on the hostile crowd. The Hawks play a lot better at dwelling and so the Celtics need to 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 received the primary 2 video games in Boston however Snyder received the primary recreation 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 a bit otherwise with some calling it tight and others letting them play. Some refs simply make head scratching calls whereas others attempt 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 deal with enjoying the sport and never on the unhealthy calls or no calls.
