The Atlanta Hawks are making the Boston Celtics' elder statesmen look old in the first game of the two teams' Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series. The Hawks are up, 49-35, at the half.
Josh Smith had maybe his best year as an NBA player in 2011-12, and has had a tremendous first half in this game to back it up. Smith has 15 points and 11 rebounds after two quarters, and has added two assists, and he's dominated Kevin Garnett (1-for-9 shooting, two points) down low.
The rest of the old guard for Celtics isn't doing much more for Boston. Paul Pierce is 4-for-10, and has nine points, and Ray Allen is not playing thanks to lingering injuries. Rajon Rondo, the youngest member of Boston's Big Four, is doing his typical team-carrying work, with 12 points and four assists, but the Celtics' usually stingy defense has yielded repeatedly.
And during TNT's halftime show, Charles Barkley summed up Atlanta's transition strategy as thus: "They think they're more athletic than the Celtics, and they are." If the Hawks can keep imposing their will, Boston is in trouble.
For news and analysis on these two teams, be sure to visit CelticsBlog, SB Nation Boston, Hawks blog Peachtree Hoops and SB Nation Atlanta.
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