Final
Celtics-Hawks Preview
Apr 19, 2016 - 10:06 PM The Boston Celtics' roster epitomizes the idea that no one player is bigger than the team. Still, they appeared to suffer a crippling personnel loss over the weekend.With Avery Bradley likely out for the rest of their first-round playoff series, the Celtics will have to find other ways to slow Jeff Teague and the host Atlanta Hawks in Game 2 on Tuesday night.
Bradley, Boston's second-leading scorer and best perimeter defender, exited Saturday's 102-101 loss with a severely sprained right hamstring. Coach Brad Stevens said his shooting guard will probably miss the rest of the series.
Bradley averaged 15.2 points this season - second on the team to Isaiah Thomas' 22.2 - and scored 18 before getting injured while trying to block a fourth-quarter layup attempt from Teague.
Bradley's absence was apparent in the remaining 6:42.
Teague scored or assisted on seven of Atlanta's final 12 baskets and finished with 23 points and 12 assists. He sealed the win with a pair of free throws with five seconds left.
The question for Stevens is whether he goes even smaller with his lineup to try and neutralize Teague or turns to a more traditional one. Marcus Smart and Evan Turner will likely be leaned on more heavily next to Thomas - who had 27 points and eight assists Saturday - while rookies R.J. Hunter and Terry Rozier or second-year guard James Young might see more time.
Going big may no longer be an option with the news Tuesday that 7-footer Kelly Olynyk will have to sit out Game 2 after tweaking a shoulder injury in the opener.
The coach will rely on a deep roster, which features nine players that averaged more than seven points this season.
''We're going to have to just continue to throw different bodies at (Teague) and make it as difficult as possible," Stevens said after Sunday's practice. "We're playing small anyways, so you might have to go even deeper into that. We'll look at it and figure that out over the next 48 hours.''
Boston went 3-3 without Bradley this season, including a 106-93 victory over the Hawks on Nov. 13 before losing the final three games of the season series.
If the Celtics go small, they could have a tough time handling Paul Millsap. The 6-foot-8, 246-pound power forward averaged 25.3 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks in the final three meetings of the regular season. However, he was limited to 14 points and seven rebounds Saturday, adding three blocks.
Coach Mike Budenholzer said he might use a backcourt of Teague and backup point guard Dennis Schroder to try and exploit the absence of Bradley. Schroder missed all six of his shots in about 11 1/2 minutes Saturday but totaled 37 points and 12 assists the previous two games against the Celtics.
''We're always more focused on what we need to do, regardless of who we're playing,'' Budenholzer said. ''All coaches are experienced with having guys in and out of the lineup. Guys step up and do more when given the opportunity.''
The Hawks have won 11 of 13 at home, with the last two of a four-game win streak coming against Boston - which has lost five straight in Atlanta.
- BOSTON: 72
ATLANTA: 89
Final
Apr 19 9:28 PM - BOSTON: 72
ATLANTA: 89
4th Quarter - 0:23
Apr 19 9:28 PM - End of 4th Quarter.
Apr 19 9:27 PM - BOSTON: 46
ATLANTA: 61
3rd Quarter - 0:02
Apr 19 8:53 PM - End of 3rd Quarter.
Apr 19 8:53 PM - BOSTON: 46
ATLANTA: 58
3rd Quarter - 0:09
Apr 19 8:53 PM - End of 1st Half.
Apr 19 8:08 PM - BOSTON: 28
ATLANTA: 43
2nd Quarter - 0:10
Apr 19 8:08 PM - BOSTON: 28
ATLANTA: 43
2nd Quarter - 0:31
Apr 19 8:08 PM - End of 1st Quarter.
Apr 19 7:35 PM - BOSTON: 7
ATLANTA: 24
1st Quarter - 0:20
Apr 19 7:35 PM - BOSTON: 7
ATLANTA: 24
1st Quarter - 0:32
Apr 19 7:35 PM - BOSTON: 0
ATLANTA: 0
1st Quarter - 12:00
Apr 19 7:11 PM - Amir Johnson vs. Al Horford (Paul Millsap gains possession)
Apr 19 7:11 PM - BOSTON: 0
ATLANTA: 0
Final
Apr 19 7:10 PM
Related News
- A successful road trip: 10 takeaways from Celtics/Lakers Dec 26
- Must C’s: Jayson Tatum gifts Derrick White late game turnover in win over Lakers Dec 26
- Celtics defeat Lakers 126-115 on Christmas Day thanks to well-balanced attack Dec 25
- Rumor: Boston showing interest in former Celtic Kelly Olynyk Dec 25
- Boston Celtics (22-6) at Los Angeles Lakers (16-14) Game #29 12/26/23 Dec 25
- NBA Christmas Day 2023: open thread Dec 25
- Lessons from Celtics-Clippers: casual holiday obliteration Dec 24
- Hawks unable to hold off Memphis momentum in loss to Grizzlies Dec 24
- Don’t call it a statement: 10 Takeaways from Celtics/Clippers Dec 24
- Decision-making and physicality were keys to Jayson Tatum’s success over Clippers Dec 24
- Grizzlies at Hawks: start time, TV, streaming, radio, game thread Dec 23
- Celtics blow out Clippers, 145-108, improve to league-best 22-6 record Dec 23