NBA Playoffs 2012 Preview: Boston Celtics host Atlanta Hawks in Game 3 on Friday
With Rajon Rondo suspended for the game and Ray Allen unable to take to court courtesy of an ankle injury, the Boston Celtics would not have been expected to come out clear winners in Game 2. However led by a
spirited performance by their captain, Paul Pierce the C`s snatched a win, earning the home court advantage.
Celtics will look to continue in their new found spirit as they play hosts to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night at the TD Garden with the next two games being scheduled to be played in Boston.
After coming out with a spectacular win in Game 1 of the series, and the C`s being undermanned in the second game, Hawks were expected to go 2-0 up in the series. However, as the series shifts its focus to Boston,
it is not the case as the Celtics rallied back in Game 2 to even up the series up 1-1.
Much can be emphasized over the fact that the Hawks lost their advantage with the departure of Josh Smith due to an injury late in the game when Atlanta was only trailing by 2 points. But, the fact is that Boston
made the most of the opportunity and went ahead to win the matchup 87-80.
Another important factor in the Hawks inability to win in the playoffs seems to be their lack of composure to hold their own after getting off to a good start, almost every time. Atlanta`s head coach, Larry Drew
is well aware of the fact.
"We allowed the pressure to take us out of what we wanted to do," Drew said. "You can't allow that to happen, not in the playoffs. You've got to do things harder, do things with pace. We were too lethargic, too
methodical."
Boston being the more experienced of the two side, on the other hand know all about facing crunch time difficulties and Paul Pierce`s impressive late charge deserves its due. Celtics are known for making great
comebacks and are well capable to register come from behind wins.
Their lack of offense late in the game is also realized by star players like Joe Johnson who had this to say on the matter.
"In the first two, three quarters we are probably at our best running and getting up down the floor," Joe Johnson said. "Then in that fourth, for whatever reason -- fatigue maybe -- we just get a little stagnant,
and our offense just doesn't flow as much."
On the other hand, C`s will have their star point guard Rondo coming back from suspension. That makes things very complicated for the Hawks. The odds further drop in Celtics favour as the Hawks face the possibility
of playing without their Josh Smith, and without him, it will be very difficult to control Kevin Garnett in the paint.
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