The Atlanta Hawks travel to The Garden to take on the Boston Celtics tonight, after dismantling the Philadelphia 76ers without three starters yesterday, Mike Budenholzer’s team will take on the Boston Celtics.
The Atlanta Hawks continue to build on their fantastic season with another routine win, cruising past the lowly Sixers by 105-87 last night. Al Horford led the way with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists while Kyle Korver added 15 points as the Hawks flew past the Sixers easily, all while resting three usual starters in Jeff Teague, Paul Millsap and DeMarre Carroll. There really isn't much more to report about the Hawks' form except that they have now won nine straight to improve to 30-8 on the season and 14-5 on the road.
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The Celtics will offer a greater challenge than the 76ers, but are still just 13-23 on the season and are trying to figure things out without Rajon Rondo.
In their last game, a 108-100 win against the New Orleans Pelicans, Jared Sullinger carried the team with 27 points while rookie Marcus Smart hit a clutch 3 to help seal the deal.
The Celtics have relied on more youth than most NBA teams this season, with four of their top-five scorers being no more than 24 years old. Jeff Green, a ripe 28-years, leads that a top-5 of Sullinger (22), Avery Bradley (24), Kelly Olynyk (23) and Tyler Zeller (24).
Despite their record, Boston is 8th in the league in points per game (102.6) and the No. 3 team in assists per game (25.3). Still, their defensive effort leaves a lot to be desired, and that’s where teams take advantage. The Celtics allow 103.8 points per game and are the league’s 27th-best defense in that category.
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Although the Boston Celtics have talked about the importance of defense all season, it wasn't until recently did their words actually come with some action.
While Boston (13-23) remains one of the NBA's leaders in pace, the Celtics have added an element of pressure defense, more contesting of shots and an overall better focus on the defensive end of the floor.
That was indeed on display in their 108-100 win against New Orleans on Monday, a game in which Boston limited the Pelicans to 5-for-23 shooting in the fourth quarter and 0-for-3 from 3-point range.
Boston will need more of the same tonight when they host the East-leading Atlanta Hawks who are coming off a 105-87 win at Philadelphia on Tuesday in which they rested 60 percent of their starting lineup (Jeff Teague, Paul Millsap and DeMarre Carroll).
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