Celtics (37-26) at Hawks (37-25) 4/20

[SHAQATTACK]

I'm on the side of resting KG and PP tonight...this forces the Heat IMO to play their starters ( which they don't want to and weakens them more early)

We got maybe a 50/50 chance tonight without KG and PP...

As mentioned Bass,Rondo and AB will need stellar game from each and Steamer will need to chip in offensively.

We would have been sitting pretty if Wilcox and Green weren't hurt....

[apc]

Bass and Bradley are going to take all the shots tonight.
Pavlovic and Dooling are afraid to shoot.
man, I wish they give Moore the start.

[j804]

Who else thinks Bass deserves a rest day? So much for that.

I know he's not old but still he's a key guy for us hyperextended his knee, he said his hamstrings bothering him a bit. I wish we could get him at least 1 night off.

[relja]

We can and will win this. I believe in Avery.

[SHAQATTACK]

Dooling should rest or take all our shots?

[apc]

Who else thinks Bass deserves a rest day? So much for that.

I know he's not old but still he's a key guy for us hyperextended his knee, he said his hamstrings bothering him a bit. I wish we could get him at least 1 night off.

i think Stiemsma, has something, maybe his ankle.
but they are young.
let the old guys rest.

[Celts Fan 92]

i would rather if the guys played today and rest vs. Heat.
a win today would almost secure HC againt the Hawks.

man ya'll are overrating the hell outta homecourt advantage lol if we cant win 1 game in Atlanta we dont deserve to advance outta the 1st round plus if we win game 1 we overtake homecourt I'd rather us be healthy come playoff time since we already got the division locked up

[Fafnir]

i would rather if the guys played today and rest vs. Heat.
a win today would almost secure HC againt the Hawks.

It really wouldn't. It'd tie us with the Hawks in the loss column that's all. We've already secured the tie-breaker by winning the Atlantic division.

But we'd have to win our last two games to be sure of HCA even with a win tonight.

[letsgoblue86]

Wow, why am I even going to this game?  Now I get to see Keyon Dooling throw up bricks in the flesh!

[FLCeltsFan]

Who else thinks Bass deserves a rest day? So much for that.

I know he's not old but still he's a key guy for us hyperextended his knee, he said his hamstrings bothering him a bit. I wish we could get him at least 1 night off.

i think Stiemsma, has something, maybe his ankle.
but they are young.
let the old guys rest.

From what I've read, Stiemsma has been playing with something wrong in his right foot and plantar fasciitis in his left foot and an injured thumb and a chunk out of his pinky.  He hasn't been practicing doing shoot arounds and instead spends his off time in a protective boot.  The kid plays through pain.

[FLCeltsFan]

The more I read Doc's statement that Pierce and KG "probably" won't be playing tonight, I wonder if Doc is playing some mind games.  I mean, either they are or they aren't playing but he said the "probably" aren't playing.  That leaves a slight chance that they will play. 

And I'm all for Bass sitting out.  He is an important player and had problems with his knees also.  Maybe Doc will just reduce his minutes. 

[LooseCannon]

The more I read Doc's statement that Pierce and KG "probably" won't be playing tonight, I wonder if Doc is playing some mind games.  I mean, either they are or they aren't playing but he said the "probably" aren't playing.  That leaves a slight chance that they will play. 

It means if JuJuan Johnson p---es Doc off by not playing proper defense and rotating how he is supposed to, he's going to stick KG in no matter how many shots JJJ makes.

[alajet]

Anyone thinking that we're going to stand a chance against a playoff team with Rondo, PP, KG and Ray out, should immediately get treatment for UO (Uber-optimism).

[Eddie20]

The more I read Doc's statement that Pierce and KG "probably" won't be playing tonight, I wonder if Doc is playing some mind games.  I mean, either they are or they aren't playing but he said the "probably" aren't playing.  That leaves a slight chance that they will play. 

It means if JuJuan Johnson p---es Doc off by not playing proper defense and rotating how he is supposed to, he's going to stick KG in no matter how many shots JJJ makes.

No, it really doesn't. Doc usually uses the word "probably" when the fact of the matter is that they definitely won't be playing. And it's absolutely the right move to make. This is our 12th game in 17 days the guys need the break. Have them play normal minutes on Tuesday, to stay sharp, and then off again on Thursday, to have them well rested for the playoffs that weekend.


I do expect to see JJ get some time at 3 in this one. I recall Doc saying recently that they're unsure if he's a 4 or a 3, so what better time to play him.

[Eddie20]

Anyone thinking that we're going to stand a chance against a playoff team with Rondo, PP, KG and Ray out, should immediately get treatment for UO (Uber-optimism).

Crazier things have happened.

Rex Chapman tied his career high with 39 points to help Pat Riley's outnumbered Miami Heat outshoot the stunned Chicago Bulls 113-104 Friday night.

One day after trading away three starters, the Heat dressed just eight players, but beat the Bulls with deadly outside shooting. Chapman led the way, hitting 9 of 10 3-point attempts.Michael Jordan scored 31 points for Chicago.

The Heat tied a team record with 15 3-pointers. They built a 26-point lead late in the third quarter, then withstood a charge by the Bulls.

The defeat snapped a seven-game winning streak for the Bulls, who fell to 48-6. They remain on a pace to become the first NBA team to win 70 games.