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Boston Celtics (5-3, 1-1) at Philadelphia 76ers (5-3,1-1)
Wednesday, March 16
7:00 PM ET
Playoff Game #9 Road Game #4
TV: TNT
Radio: WEEI, 97.5 The Fanatic
Wells Fargo Center
Referees: Derrick Stafford, Mike Callahan, Eric Lewis


Game Thread l Chat



The series now moves to the Wells Fargo Center. The Celtics have to pick up at least one game in Philly after giving up home court in the game 2 loss at home.

The Celtics have played very poorly so far in the first two games. They have struggled shooting. They have struggled on defense. They have gotten down by double digits in both games. They have seemed as though they were coasting though most of both games.

Injuries could be playing a part in both the shooting woes and in the lack of cohesion on many of the plays. Pierce is obviously not 100% and has been front rimming the majority of his shots. Bradley's shoulder has been painful and could be altering his shot as well as affecting his play. Pietrus has had hamstring problems. Ray's ankles have definitely been affecting his shot. For a player who has always been automatic from the line, he is shooting just 66% on his free throws in the playoffs so far.

Theories have ranged from guessing that the Celtics feel they can just flip the switch at any time to the fact that they are taking the Sixers for granted and feel they can beat them without 100% effort. Whatever the problem has been in the past, it has to be clear that the Celtics must give a better effort from the start and not just turn it on in the 4th quarter. Doc also has to take a share of the blame for some questionable decisions in game 2.

They have to be more focused, especially on the road. The Celtics are capable of winning in Philly and they are capable of playing much better than they have been so far in the series. The Sixers have been playing with great effort and the Celtics haven't matched it. Doc has said that he plans to change the offense to try to get Pierce going with more screens and posts for him. With the stakes getting higher, it's time for the Celtics to up their effort and take control of the series. If they don't, they could find themselves going back to Boston in a 1-3 hole.

Philadelphia 76ers (4-3, 0-1) at Boston Celtics (5-2,1-0)
Eastern Conference Semi-Finals Game 2
Monday May 14, 2012
7:00 PM ET
Playoff Game #8, Home Game #5
TV: TNT
Radio: WEEI, 97.5 The Fanatic
TD Garden
Referees: Dan Crawford, Jason Phillips, Michael Smith


Game Thread l Chat



The Celtics have to feel lucky that they pulled out the win in game 1. Philly led for most of the game and the Celtics struggled for three quarters. They were very sluggish to start the game and didn't look like they were actually trying until the second half. Injuries could influence their play, but since they were able to turn it on in the second half, it seems to be more of an effort thing.

They have to know that it would be very dangerous to come out slow and allow the Sixers to hang around for a second game in a row. One of these times that strategy will come back to bite them. The Celtics need to come out strong from the beginning and establish the pace of the game.

Pierce and Allen will still struggle with the injuries and hopefully they can also continue to play through them and be effective in their minutes on the court. All 15 players participated in the shootaround and are expected to play in this game. Rondo needs to give an effort from the start. It didn't seem as though he took the game seriously until after the half in game 1. Bass and Pietrus have struggled in the playoffs so far and it would be great to see them get on track finally.

Hopefully the Celtics decide to come out and play from the start in this game and not tempt fate two games in a row. It's great they pulled out the win in game 1 but they are capable of so much more in this game if they only put forth the effort.

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Atlanta Hawks (2-3) at Boston Celtics (3-2)
Thursday, May 10, 2012
8:00 PM ET
Game #6, Home Game #3
TV: TNT, CSNNE, TSN, SPSO
Radio: WEEI
TD Garden
Referees: Derrick Stafford, Bill Kennedy, Eric Lewis


Game Thread l Chat

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Atlanta Hawks (1-2) at Boston Celtics (2-1)
Sunday, May 6, 2012
7:00 PM ET
Game #3, Home Game #1
TV: TNT, CSNNE, TSN, SPSO
Radio: WEEI
TD Garden
Referees: Joe Crawford, Tony Brothers, Pat Fraher

Game Thread l Chat

Coming into game 4, the major talk from both teams concerns injuries. Ray Allen came back to play a big part in game 3 but after playing 37 minutes in that game, he said that his ankle was "mad at him." He made it through shoot around and word is that he will play in this one. Even more concerning for the Celtics, though, is the fact that Avery Bradley left game 3 with a shoulder injury and is a question for this game. He also went through shoot around but is listed as a game time decision. If Avery can't go, either Ray or Pietrus could get the nod to start. And, of course, there are Greg Stiemsma's feet and the wear and tear of big minutes on the starters in the last game.

On the Hawks side, Josh Smith is expected to play in this one, but with a knee problem, it remains to see how effective he can be since his game relies on his athleticism. Pachulia has been day to day and there have been rumors that we could see him and even Horford to try to give the Hawks a boost but neither is expected for this game. . Tracy McGrady was one of their best players in game 3 but left the game after turning his ankle. Although he returned to the game, he wasn't quite the same the rest of the way. He's expected to play in this game.

The Celtics were able to get a split in Atlanta to win back home court and so they need to take care of business at home and not give the advantage back to the Hawks. The last game was way closer than it should have been with Smith out, but the Celtics seemed to be casual about it, allowing the Hawks to hang around and force an overtime. Thankfully they finally played with a bit more passion in OT to pull out the win.

The Celtics as a team have struggled with their offense in the series so far. They shot 46% from the field during the season but have been averaging 41% in this series. The Hawks allowed 44% in the regular season but I'm not sure the Celtics shooting woes are the result of Hawks defense, but rather it's just the Celtics missing shots they usually make. It could be focus or it could just be tired legs. The Hawks, on the other hand, are shooting 41% as well, which is right around what the Celtics allowed in the regular season.

The Celtics need to come out focused in this game and play smart basketball. The longer they let the Hawks hang around the more dangerous they become. The Celtics need to take care of this game at home and do it in convincing fashion.

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Boston Celtics (1-1) at Atlanta Hawks (1-1)
Friday, May 4, 2012
7:30 PM ET
Game #3, Home Game #1
TV: ESPN, CSNNE, SNET1, SPSO
Radio: WEEI
TD Garden
Referees: Monty McCutchen, Ron Garretson, Zach Zarba


Game Thread l Chat


The Celtics return home with the series tied 1-1. They have wrested home court advantage back from the Hawks and now they must hang on to it and take advantage of playing at home before what should be a very loud home crowd.

They have had 2 days off and should be recharged and ready. Rondo will be back and should be raring to go after his suspension and knowing that his teammates had his back in game 2. The momentum has swung back to the Celtics after their big win. Losing to a Rondo-less Celtics team, after leading by 11 in the 3rd quarter has to have the Hawks a bit demoralized.

Injuries are still the topic of the day for both teams. Josh Smith left game 2 and has been diagnosed with patellar tendonitis and has been upgraded to a game time decision but has been ruled out for tonight's game. . Marvin Williams or Ivan Johnson is expected to start in his place if he can't go. Pachulia is still listed as day to day while Horford is still out although the Hawks coach has hinted that he might play in the series. For the Celtics Ray Allen is still day to day and was able to go through a full practice on Thursday. Hopefully the ankle won't swell again after the practice. It would be a huge boost if he could play even limited minutes.

The Celtics need to take care of of their house. They can't afford any more sluggish starts or loss of focus if they expect to win this series. They have shown they are the better team and will win if they stay focused. It's time to get serious and bring Gino out for this one.

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Boston Celtics (0-1) at Atlanta Hawks (1-0)
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
7:30 PM ET
Round 1 Game #2, Road Game #2
TV: NBA-TV, CSNNE, FSSO, TSN
Radio: WEEI, WCNN
Philips Arena
Referees: Scott Foster, Ed Malloy, Scott Wall

Game Thread l Chat

The Celtics come into this game short handed. With Rondo out, they are missing their engine. Others will have to step up their game to make up for his absence. Keyon Dooling and Avery Bradley will especially have to pick it up. Paul Pierce is another player who may take on more of the ball handling duties as well. He had a poor shooting game 1 and so is due to bounce back for a good one in game 2.

Ray is still considered day to day but there isn't a lot of optimism that we will see him in this game (or any other, for that matter), although they sure could use him. Pietrus will start in the back court with Bradley to make up for Rondo's absence. I imagine that we will see more of Sasha or maybe even Moore in this game off the bench. Remember when Doc said that one of the subs would have to come up big for us at some point in the playoffs? Well that time has come sooner than later.

The Celtics must come out with a better effort to start the game. They came out flat in game 1 and dug a hole that they never could dig their way out of. They have to come out strong and jump on the Hawks right from the start. And they have to play hard right until the final buzzer.

I expect the Celtics to pull together and have a better game. They have been here before, playing without their point guard or other key players. They have proved in the past that they can overcome adversity with heart. They are 8-5 without Rondo this season and hopefully they can pull together and make it 9-5 after this game.