Hawks (23-13) at Celtics (26-9) 1/11

[celticsclay]

Perk the all star!

[nickagneta]

Johnson has the size and strength of a small forward but plays SG and the Celtics just do not have a defensive answer for him.

[Drucci]

I like our energy but not our defense.

I'm glad to see Joe Johnson hot right from the start though, he will cool off in the second half - we will have to stop Crawford though.

Also, I really find these Hawks hugly. They only play one-on-one and isos on every possession (not to mention the punks they have on their team).

[Donoghus]

Johnson has the size and strength of a small forward but plays SG and the Celtics just do not have a defensive answer for him.

Why can't we get guys like that?   

[Fafnir]

For all you Scal haters, he's playing inspired ball here early.

LOL I'm sad I'm missing it, I'm stuck at University in between classes at the moment.

If Josh Smith doesn't well against Scalabrine that will be two "All-Stars" at the 4 he's held down. I doubt it will happen.

[jadams5214]

That last play is why Rondo needs to use his left hand on layups on the left side of the basket.  Smith would not have been able to block that but Rondo won't switch hands.

C's are playing with lots of energy tonight but can't get a lead.  These last few games have really showed the weakness of Ray Allen on defense.  He got torched by Wade in the first quarter and Joe Johnson is dominating him so far tonight.  Doc should consider putting Pierce on Johnson and stick Ray on Marvin Williams.  Even with the huge height advantage Williams doesn't go inside too much and the C's could just help on him.

It's obvious Ray can't guard elite 2 guards one on one but Doc doesn't switch it up soon enough in most games.  

[Who]

How many people here would admit we are probably underdogs in this game with no KG and no Sheed

Yep, I think the Celtics are underdogs but only slightly. They still have enough talent out there to win 50+ games. Hawks more like a 55 win team. Small difference but a difference in Atlanta's favour.

[fairweatherfan]

I'm liking watching the Hawks go nuts trying to get Smith to score on Scal.  Totally threw off their rhythm for a good 2 minutes.  

Other than that, this is gonna be another battle unless Ray and/or Pierce heat up.

[Fafnir]

How many people here would admit we are probably underdogs in this game with no KG and no Sheed

Yep, I think the Celtics are underdogs but only slightly. They still have enough talent out there to win 50+ games. Hawks more like a 55 win team. Small difference but a difference in Atlanta's favour.

It's in Boston though right?

[Who]

Johnson has the size and strength of a small forward but plays SG and the Celtics just do not have a defensive answer for him.

If Joe Johnson would just play in the low post more often ... I mean he has the most effective post game in the league (better than Kobe) but he hardly ever goes down there.

He'd be a nightmare.

[Drucci]

Getting outrebounded.

[Chief]

Johnson has the size and strength of a small forward but plays SG and the Celtics just do not have a defensive answer for him.

SG is the position that scares me in the playoffs. We have no-one (right now) to defend Johnson or Wade.

[Who]

How many people here would admit we are probably underdogs in this game with no KG and no Sheed

Yep, I think the Celtics are underdogs but only slightly. They still have enough talent out there to win 50+ games. Hawks more like a 55 win team. Small difference but a difference in Atlanta's favour.

It's in Boston though right?

Home court advantage is normally able to even out that type of gap ... but I prefer to go with talent versus venue.

[celticsclay]

wow scal really got hammered there, he also looked scared..

[BudweiserCeltic]

Who knew, you put Scal as a PF and he can actually do some positive contributions... really who knew.