Celtics vs. Hawks in playoffs: who do you got?

[TA9]

I see an advantage for the hawks at the big positions, but not a cruel one amir/crowder should be able to match up against Milsap. And i see an advantage for the celtics on the guard positions. Hawks have no one to stop isiah(stopping him killed us last year)and remember last year playoffs how korver struggled when match up proper (looking at you avery). So after all I can really see the Celtics giving them a good fight, not matching up that bad!!!

Millsap killed us the four times we played Atlanta this year (especially the first game where he dropped 31 points and 16 rebounds on us). Stopping him will be key for us, but I honestly think that he is going to bully his way through Amir and Sully; like he did during the regular season.

[playdream]

I see our only chance, as always, is our Coach

[SHAQATTACK]

Milsap ...IS Atlanta
Horford we can contain ,,Teague is streaky

Milsap has battered the Celtics FOREVER .  He looks to be healthy and in great shape as he has ever been .

I don't know how .....but the team has to concentrate on Milsap .....give him the jumper , but NOT let him play in the paint .   He just rebounds offensively and defensively like crazy HIS own misses .

Basically somebody has to hold Milsap to under 20 points a game

[hwangjini_1]

I see an advantage for the hawks at the big positions, but not a cruel one amir/crowder should be able to match up against Milsap. And i see an advantage for the celtics on the guard positions. Hawks have no one to stop isiah(stopping him killed us last year)and remember last year playoffs how korver struggled when match up proper (looking at you avery). So after all I can really see the Celtics giving them a good fight, not matching up that bad!!!

Millsap killed us the four times we played Atlanta this year (especially the first game where he dropped 31 points and 16 rebounds on us). Stopping him will be key for us, but I honestly think that he is going to bully his way through Amir and Sully; like he did during the regular season.

TA9 is correct. the celtics have no one up front who can match up well with milsap or horford. no  one. this is the real problem for the celtics in this series.

and add in that milsap and horford will be playing additional minutes in the playoffs and it makes the situation even more of a challenge.

i am curious what CBS will do to at least ameliorate this and put the celtics in a position to steal a game in atlanta. i am looking forward to the series.

[jbpats]

I think we will win the series (selected C's in 6) and here's why.

First of all I don't think Atlanta wanted to play Boston. They were losing for most of the game last night against a depleted Wizards team. I'd guess they saw the scoreboard in Boston and thought to themselves we'd be better off losing and not face Boston first round... Charlotte also had a sizable lead which would have solidified a Atlanta Boston series if they had won (3 vs 6). Atlanta tried to comeback after Boston bounced back, I noticed they cut a 12 point lead or so to 3 late in the game. I think they were hoping to draw Charlotte 4 vs. 5 and for most of the night that appeared to be the most likely scenario for them if they were to lose against the Wizards.

The last time we played Atlanta we were able to keep up, and had a sizable lead up until 4 minutes to go in the third. Don't forget this was the second night of a back to back for us where we had to travel. I think the C's were tired and it showed late in the game.. I really don't think Atlanta is that much better than us.

It's going to be a tough series, but any of the series would be tough. Miami has a stacked team, who were also running on fumes last night after their back to back, Charlotte owned us at home on Monday and Atlanta has played us tough all season. I don't really consider Atlanta a superior team compared to Miami or Charlotte.. I'm also not sure why folks think Charlotte or Miami would have been lay ups for us.

C's in 6, we have the momentum going into the playoffs, we have heart and a lot of guys trying to prove their worth. Atlanta has a lot of guys ready to jump ship.

[Rosco917]

My heart says Celtics in 7. (If I had to bet my house on this series...Atlanta in 5 or 6.)

Playing the Hawks is better than playing Cleveland for sure. The Hawks aren't a big physical team, but a smart, efficient, well coached team. If we can keep Milsap to his season average's, we have a shot.

But keeping bigs under control is not something the C's do well.

Lastly...If you noticed, the comeback against the Heat took place with IT on the bench. Ball movement improved, over-all defense also improved, so did pace. (sometimes certain PG's want the ball in their hands too much of the time.)  Stevens must realize that the Celtics 2nd team is as good, or better than the starters. 

[Evantime34]

In general I'd say I'm pretty optimistic when it comes to the Celtics. This series is the exception.

Millsap and Horford really provide a huge match up problem for us. Both can score from the perimeter and the only bigman combo we have that can guard those guys out to the 3 point line and in the post are Amir and Crowder. The problem is we need Crowder at the 3 so we can't play him extended minutes at the 4.

With our bigs getting drawn out to the 3 point line, this series will hinge on whether our guards (especially IT) can stay with Teague and Schroeder one on one off the dribble.

On the bright side, Atlanta is extremely vulnerable to offensive rebounds and we are a pretty good offensive rebounding team. If Sullinger is going to be a factor in this series he will need to make up for his dificiency guarding on the perimeter by pounding the offensive glass.

I expect this series to come down to rebounding and turnovers. I worry that we won't be able to create enough turnovers and Atlanta will win in 6.

[j804]

I saw on NBA TV playoffs preview since the AS break the Hawks have been the best defense in the entire league. This is not good we really struggle at times to score. Their defense sent us into 2-3 game funk oh boy.