Celtics in 5 (why I’m nonetheless not involved by the Atlanta Hawks)

In the course of the common season, the Atlanta Hawks shot 48.3% from the sector and 35.2% from 3 level land. In sport 3, they shot 56.0% and 44.1% respectively. So much goes into these stats, together with the Celtics protection (or lack thereof), enjoying at residence, and easily getting sizzling. However that’s the story of the sport (together with rebounding).

If the Celtics enable this to grow to be a pattern, it might be very regarding. Nevertheless, I’m not overly involved as a result of I don’t consider it will likely be a pattern. The Celtics had been caught off guard by the Hawks attacking the paint and setting their picks up increased. That permit them get right into a rhythm and construct a lead that was simply an excessive amount of for Boston to beat. I’m fairly certain that the teaching employees and gamers will make the suitable changes and produce the suitable vitality to sport 4.

I don’t make that assertion primarily based on blind religion. I say it primarily based on historic information. The Celtics have certainly turned in some horrible defensive performances at occasions this season. Nevertheless, on the mixture, they had been nonetheless the 2nd ranked defensive crew in the entire league. They’ve defenders up and down the rotation, most of whom have playoff expertise from final season.

The Hawks, in the meantime are a crew that may run cold and hot on offense. They’re higher than they confirmed in video games 1 and a pair of, however they aren’t nearly as good as they confirmed in sport 3. Over a 7 sport collection, water finds its stage (and I don’t suppose it would take greater than 5 video games to get there).

As badly because the Celtics defended and rebounded, they had been nonetheless a number of pictures away from stealing the win anyway. I anticipate a convincing win in sport 4 adopted by closing out the collection again in Boston. Perhaps that’s misplaced overconfidence however I’m additionally unwilling to panic after one dangerous sport. The Hawks, for all their faults, are a proficient crew that may get sizzling and go on runs. That occurs within the playoffs. It’s as much as the Celtics to reduce these runs and show that they’re the higher crew.

Recreation 3 felt just like the Hawks finest shot. I’d be shocked if they may repeat it in sport 4 or for the remainder of the collection. Celtics in 5.