Celtics (3-1) at Hawks (1-3) Game 5 5/8

[European NBA fan]

Anyone blaming Rondo is really looking for a scapegoat here. Without Time-outs we don't get to move the ball, so it takes six seconds to get to the three point line from that corner. That leaves four seconds to make a play. Not much of a chance, but Rondo gave us that chance.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Is Chris Paul available this offseason?

I don't know is he going to make us rebound better

Chris Paul is closer. We need a closer badly

You're right. Chris Paul would have easily been able to get up a shot against Horford.

or even got away in that corner against Smith and Horford.

[GDAbraham]

Horford just manned up on a rushed 10-9 seconds. He's the only Hawk that I feel takes responsibility. Gotta respect that. By the skin of their teeth.

Wahhh CP3 wahhhh? Yeah. It's not like the that infallible closer didn't do the same thing in regulation the other day. It happens. How many times has Rondo bailed us out on last second layups or finds? We didn't even have a lost potential shot until that epic steal. Tough luck.

Regroup. That's all. The pressure is only going to get worse for the Hawks.

[CelticSooner]

I would like to see more Stiemsma.  The Celtics are 20-4 on the season when Greg plays 18 min or more.  That's a pretty telling stat.  Coincidence?

Steamer is too slow for this athletic Hawks front court. Bass is the one that has to step up but hasn't.

[greg683x]

I fear we may have missed a chance to beat the Hawks.

We needed to take them out before Hortford came back, now that hes back he has dominated us twice. We have to change our game plan or something.

He was dominating us when we were up by almost 40 the other night??

He was the best player for one night.  It happened in 2008 too.  '08 was a long time ago, but we can beat them in Boston.  We just did for Christs sake, and without Pierce for 3 quarters.

[GreenFaith1819]

All of these calls for Chris Paul is unnecessary.

Rajon Rondo is our PG of the future.

He doesn't crumble vs some opponents...like CP3 does vs BOS and Rondo.

As for ATL tonight?

Horford ate Bass' lunch, plain and simple.

Next game? Make sure you tune in, because there will be a:



ATL is done in 6 games. They only prolonged their misery.

And for those calling for Rondo's head?

Methinks Rajon's play was the ONLY thing that kept us in the game.

Stay tuned...we'll close this thing out next time. Not worried about Horford at all.

[Celtics31]

wow. honestly, this team is in trouble.

This is not an over-reaction. Pierce is not healthy. We needed to steal this game and let everyone rest up. We now go into Thursday with a 50% Pierce, Ray is shooting well but still doesn't look too mobile. I see this going to 7 and even if we can pull something out, the lack of rest is going to kill us.

[crownsy]

Is Chris Paul available this offseason?

I don't know is he going to make us rebound better

Chris Paul is closer. We need a closer badly

i think that pierce fella and #20 are pretty good at that.

Nothing is more overrated than the "closer" pg.

Get me a great scoring wing or a big man this off season please, I'm quite pleased with our PG.

[OsirusCeltics]

Is Chris Paul available this offseason?

I don't know is he going to make us rebound better

Chris Paul is closer. We need a closer badly

You're right. Chris Paul would have easily been able to get up a shot against Horford.

No Chris Paul would have not dribbled into the two best defenders on the opposing team and would've given to ball to either Peitrus or Pierce on the break

[thestackshow]

Im more worried about our chance at missed rest then the Hawks now to be honest.

If Pierce cant get rest and get healthed, we will be lucky to make it out of the 2nd round.

[JoT]

I had a feeling they weren't gonna win today. I will say they better close this out in Boston and win. I don't want a game 7 and I know the Celtics team doesn't want a game 7.

[crownsy]

wow. honestly, this team is in trouble.

This is not an over-reaction. Pierce is not healthy. We needed to steal this game and let everyone rest up. We now go into Thursday with a 50% Pierce, Ray is shooting well but still doesn't look too mobile. I see this going to 7 and even if we can pull something out, the lack of rest is going to kill us.

they lost by 1 freaking point on the road.

Lets not be bi polar about this. get back to me if they force a game 7, then i'll jump out on the ledge with ya.

[mqtcelticsfan]

I would like to see more Stiemsma.  The Celtics are 20-4 on the season when Greg plays 18 min or more.  That's a pretty telling stat.  Coincidence?

It very well could be. Something like 10 of those wins were blowouts, where we would be sitting KG. Someone had to play those minutes at the 5.

[Atzar]

I'd gamble and hold Pierce out of game 6.  He's clearly injured, he needs some rest, and we can win without him at home.  At best, he gets some time before the start of round 2; at worst, he has more time to prepare for game 7.

Surprised Rondo couldn't blow by Josh Smith at the end there.  Smith is fast for his size, but not that fast.  It seems like Rondo uses his athleticism less and less with each passing game.  Being a smart player is a great edge, but there are times when it's best to just be an athlete.

Props to Horford.  I don't like him, but his presence in this game was the difference - Atlanta is a completely different team with him in the lineup.

[CelticG1]

If you didn't see that coming, you don't know this team.  As soon as Rondo stole it away, I knew he was gonna keep the ball, not even think to pass, and try and throw up a terrible shot.

I need to see a replay, but from what it looked like there weren't a lot of clear passing lanes for Rondo.  Smith smothered him, and the rest of the team wasn't looking for the ball. 

While typing this, I just saw the replay.  Yeah, nobody was even attempting to get open for a pass, or looking for one.  They had their eyes forward, running up court.

This. There was not enough time as well to execute a play. KG did not even set a pick when he could've. The steal unfortunately put us in a bad position as we are not prepared for it and the offense has no idea what to do. But i'd take the effort.

Yeah and terrible spacing with Pietrus, Pierce and Bradley. Pierce was trying to direct them and they just weren't moving.

Pierce should have made an effort to get the ball at the top of the key and Rondo just got trapped in the corner.

It was a tough play regardless and the Hawks slowed down Rondo quite a bit after the steal which is tough to do but I think it limited our options