The NBA has launched the first-round schedule for the matchup between the second-seeded Boston Celtics and the seventh-seeded Atlanta Hawks. Breaking information: the groups will play no less than 4 occasions (and if you happen to’re the Celtics, you’re aiming it to simply be 4 occasions).
We’ve recognized since Monday that the Celtics had been going to tip off Recreation 1 on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., however after final night time’s play-in recreation when the eighth-place Hawks marched in and blew the seventh-place Miami Warmth out in their very own constructing, we now know who precisely the Celtics will probably be enjoying. Please ship optimistic ideas to the Celtics beat writers who thought they had been getting a second South Seashore trip go to in a row throughout the playoffs.
After Saturday’s Recreation 1, the Celtics get two days off earlier than suiting again up Tuesday night time for the early 7:00 p.m. begin. One other two days are in between Video games 2 and three with the Celtics touring to Atlanta for a pair of street video games. The primary is on Friday earlier than Recreation 4 ideas off on Sunday night at 7:00 p.m. After that, ought to the sequence go the space, they’ll have one recreation between every matchup for Video games 5-7 at undetermined occasions.
Curiously sufficient, that is an NBATV sequence, with Recreation 2 being broadcast on that community. The final time I can keep in mind (don’t truth verify me please) Boston getting an NBATV sequence was Recreation 2 in opposition to . . . the Atlanta Hawks . . . in 2012 with Rajon Rondo suspended and Ray Allen injured. Should you keep in mind, that was an iconic Paul Pierce efficiency in the midst of a memorable playoff run that led the Celtics to make it to Recreation 7 of the Jap Convention Finals.
The Celtics have greater hopes this 12 months, hoping to recreate the consequence from 2008 once they confronted the Atlanta Hawks within the first spherical en path to a championship. The Celtics had comparatively little bother scoring in opposition to the Hawks within the common season, so with some fine-tuning, this could be a quick sequence if the Celtics present up and do what they should do.
Recreation 1 ideas off Saturday on ESPN at 3:30 p.m. ET.
