19 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks, 3 steals.

[LarBrd33]

Al Horford's line.  Heeee's baaaaack.   Ya'll nervous?  What a difference an allstar defensive big man makes, eh?  We were outrebounded 41 to 33.  We couldn't get anything going inside (6-17 from Rondo tonight).  We were straight-up dominated by Al Horford on his 2nd game back after 4 months off.  Not good.  Not good.    

We match up very well with Atlanta... without Horford.  When you add Horford to the mix... I'm actually pretty darn worried.  Not only does Horford expose our obscenely undersized team, but it moves a guy like Joe Johnson to his natural position... which wouldn't be a big deal until you realize he is 5 inches and 60 pounds bigger than our starting shooting guard.  I'm pretty concerned.  More so, because Pierce is clearly nowhere near 100% (not to mention the injuries Ray and KG are dealing with).  Not trying to overreact... don't get me wrong.  Just saying... this is a series now.

[lightspeed5]

everything went wrong and we lost by 1

in stiemsma i trust.

[Change]

psshhht Celtics beat themselves. Its a wrap game 6

[LarBrd33]

psshhht Celtics beat themselves. Its a wrap game 6

Hope you're right.  I felt like we almost dodged a bullet tonight.

AL HOrford is that bullet.  It's going to be difficult beating them if Pierce is 50% and HOrford continues to get healthy.  Very difficult.  We NEED to win our next game... and with the way Horford owned us tonight... I am a bit worried.  Horford completely changed this series.

[Celts Fan 92]

get outta here wit dis overreaction thread lol they won by 1 point not 20 we're gon make adjustments nd patch up our missed oppurtunities me worried?, nope

[Trifecta]

The Hawks absolutely had to win this game at home and even though we shot ourselves in the foot time and time again, we still only lost by 1. Horford is gonna get his, that's just how the match ups are.. Bass and KG can't really hang with him.

But the Celtics SHOULD be firing on all cylinders on Thursday.. I'm pretty sure they know if they don't win in Boston on Thursday it'll be pretty tough to get another one in ATL.

[thestackshow]

Bench Pierce, dude loafs around when hes not 100%. Sickening to watch his effort.

[CelticSooner]

Horford makes ATL much more dangerous. He unlike the rest of his teammates plays with emotion. For a guy that hasn't played in 4 months he looks pretty good.

If Pierce hobbles around on defense like he did tonight it's probably going to be another close one.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

Horford makes ATL much more dangerous. He unlike the rest of his teammates plays with emotion. For a guy that hasn't played in 4 months he looks pretty good.

If Pierce hobbles around on defense like he did tonight it's probably going to be another close one.

I don't care how well Horford plays we can still beat them easily but the thing I think that really hurt us, is what you said PP on defense! PP was horrible on defense!! I mean he was so bad that it caused people to over help leaving Horford WIDE open!! I think we came back and took a lead of like 4 when Doc sat PP because or defense started clicking with a more mobile defender in, then Doc brought PP back in and well our defense once again suffered. I wish Doc had taken PP out earlier in like the 3rd and early 4th to rest and give a more mobile defender a chance because everyone could see PP was dragging that leg on defense which made people have to help which then left everyone else scrambling. This is one of the reasons I think Hollins plays over Stiems, with PP hobbled Doc has to put in a faster big who can help on PP's man but also quickly recover onto his man... Hollins has done an excellent job too!

[Celtics18]

Yes, Horford definitely makes them better. 

[Bahku]

And an extra step-or-two on every drive to the basket.

Wow, never saw as many non-traveling calls as i did tonight with Horford!

That said, we gave this one away, and only have ourselves to blame.

That will not be happening on Thursday.

It amazes me how many Celtics fans there are in Atlanta, though ... it was almost like home-away-from-home!

[mctyson]

everything went wrong and we lost by 1

On the road.

Not scared.

[dark_lord]

Bench Pierce, dude loafs around when hes not 100%. Sickening to watch his effort.

[apc]

KG can handle him.
i have a positive feeling for game 6.

[CelticHooligan3]

Horford makes ATL much more dangerous. He unlike the rest of his teammates plays with emotion. For a guy that hasn't played in 4 months he looks pretty good.

If Pierce hobbles around on defense like he did tonight it's probably going to be another close one.

I don't care how well Horford plays we can still beat them easily but the thing I think that really hurt us, is what you said PP on defense! PP was horrible on defense!! I mean he was so bad that it caused people to over help leaving Horford WIDE open!! I think we came back and took a lead of like 4 when Doc sat PP because or defense started clicking with a more mobile defender in, then Doc brought PP back in and well our defense once again suffered. I wish Doc had taken PP out earlier in like the 3rd and early 4th to rest and give a more mobile defender a chance because everyone could see PP was dragging that leg on defense which made people have to help which then left everyone else scrambling. This is one of the reasons I think Hollins plays over Stiems, with PP hobbled Doc has to put in a faster big who can help on PP's man but also quickly recover onto his man... Hollins has done an excellent job too!

Absolutley agree. TP.