HAWKS STRUGGLE WITH NBA ELITE
While the Hawks had some early success against the league’s elite teams, they’ve struggled of late. They are just 3-11 against the top three teams in the Eastern and Western Conferences this season with games against Boston (home tonight and in Boston April 3 ), the Los Angeles Lakers (home Sunday) and Orlando (home March 4) remaining. “You’re not tricking anybody when you’re talking about those upper echelon teams,” Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. “When you look at San Antonio, the Celtics and the Lakers and those types of teams, they are all excellent defensive teams. So there’s no magical way to defeat them. You’re going to have to execute your offense and be able to defend them at a high level to have success.”
GO WITH THE BIG GROUP
The Hawks are 15-3 this season with Mo Evans in the starting lineup. But the Celtics pose a matchup problem with Kendrick Perkins, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce across their frontline. Marvin Williams (out indefinitely with lower back injury) usually squares off with Pierce, who at 6-foot-7 and 235 pounds, would be a load for Evans. Woodson might go with his bigger lineup, Zaza Pachulia at center, Al Horford and power forward and Josh Smith at small forward to keep from being dominated inside.
STILL NOT A RIVALRY
Even after nine straight intense and drama filled games, dating back to the playoffs last season, the Celtics don’t consider the Hawks a rival. That’s the way it goes when you’re on the right side of a 6-3 series edge. “I don’t think much of it really,” Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo said. “I don’t like to talk trash, but in my eyes it’s not a rivalry. I don’t know if anybody else looks at it as a rivalry. People consider Cleveland a rival. We just went seven [games] with Atlanta. That’s about it.”
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AJC: Can Hawks hang with Celtics, Lakers?
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AJC: Can Hawks hang with Celtics, Lakers?
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AJC: Can Hawks hang with Celtics, Lakers?
Re: AJC: Can Hawks hang with Celtics, Lakers?
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Re: AJC: Can Hawks hang with Celtics, Lakers?
Rondo is correct. It isn't a rivalry yet. We were a nuisance. If the guys can upset a top team come playoff time then we'll establish a rivalry because you really start to hate whoever ends your season.
Going to donkey punch a leprechaun!