Hawks (24-32) at Celtics (45-12) 3/2

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Atlanta Hawks (24-32) at Boston Celtics (45-12)
Sunday, March 2
6:00 pm ET
Game #58, Home Game #30
TV: NBA LP ch 751, CSNHD, SportsSouth
Radio: WEEI
TDBanknorthGarden



Probable Starters
PG: Rajon Rondo PPG 10.6 | APG 5 | STL 1.7
SG: Ray Allen PPG 18.8 | APG 3.1 | 3P% .394
SF: Paul Pierce PPG 20.3 | RPG 5.4 | APG 4.7
PF: Kevin Garnett PPG 18.4 | RPG 9.7 | BPG 1.4
C: Kendrick Perkins PPG 7.2 | RPG 5.6 | BPG 1.3

Off the Bench:
Eddie House, Brian Scalabrine, Scot Pollard, Leon Powe, James Posey, Big Baby Davis, PJ Brown

Injuries
Tony Allen, calf, day to day




Probable Starters
PG: Mike Bibby PPG 13.5 | APG 5.6 | SPG 1.1
SG: Joe Johnson PPG 20.5 | APG 5.3 | 3P% .373
SF: Marvin Williams PPG 15.3 | RPG 5.7 | APG 1.8
PF: Josh Smith PPG 17.5 | RPG 8 | BPG 3.1
C: Al Horford PPG 9.5 | RPG 10 | BPG 1

Off the Bench:
Josh Childress, Zaza Pachulia, Salim Stoudamire, Mario West, Jeremy Richardson, Solomon Jones

Injuries
Acie Law, wrist, day to day
Speedy Claxton, knee, out

vs
Kevin Garnett 6'11", PPG 18.4 RPG 9.70 APG 3.7 EFF + 25.31
Josh Smith 6'9", PPG 17.5 RPG 8.00 APG 3.7 EFF + 20.91 KG has the height advantage and the experience advantage but Josh Smith is quicker than KG and is a very good defender. Smith typically has a good game against the Celtics. KG is close to 100% again and should get the better of this matchup.

vs
Rajon Rondo 6'1" PPG 10.6 RPG 4.40 APG 5.0 EFF + 14.58
Mike Bibby 6'1" PPG 13.5 RPG 3.50 APG 5.6 EFF + 13.50
Once again Rondo has to match up with a veteran point guard in Mike Bibby. Neither has a size advantage but Rondo had a significant speed advantage. I expect Rondo to pick up where he left off in the last game and control the game.

Honorable Mention
Ray Allen PPG 18.8 RPG 4.00 APG 3.1 EFF + 16.64
Joe Johnson PPG 20.5 RPG 4.50 APG 5.3 EFF + 17.32
Joe Johnson is younger and quicker than Ray Allen and has a height advantage. JJ is a good defender and so Ray will have to work to get his shots in this game.

Keys to the Game
Be Aggressive The Celtics need to be the aggressor, taking the ball to the hoop, hustling for loose balls, and crashing the boards. They need to come out strong and play aggressively all game. They need to be aggressive on the boards to prevent second chance points for the Hawks.

Defense The Celtics must play tough defense from start to finish. Even though they have a very good offense, the game will be won on the defensive end.

Ball Movement The Celtics have been moving the ball well and need to continue to do so to find the open man. If they move the ball and move without the ball to get open, the offense is very strong.

Game Notes:
The Celtics have to be careful not to overlook the Hawks while thinking about Wednesday's game against the Pistons. Atlanta has some very talented players and with Mike Bibby running the show, they are a dangerous team. The Celtics can't take them for granted and will have to bring their A-game as you can be sure the Hawks will bring theirs.

The Hawks are 7-21 on the road and 3-7 in their last 10 games. They have won 2 in a row, however and have been playing well since the trade for Mike Bibby, who incidentally is Eddie House's brother in law.