The NBA Playoffs are cruel and unforgiving. With further injuries for the team, rookies such as R.J.
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“We want to make sure Steph is right and that his foot is fine and healthy”, Golden State Coach Steve Kerr said. Atlanta took both games at home thanks to a smothering defensive effort and hopes to continue that trend on the road. They now have lost seven consecutive playoff games over their last three postseason series. Consistent shooting from Smith would complement the trio of small forward LeBron James, power forward Kevin Love and point guard Kyrie Irving. “And at times we’re getting those and making them, and at times we’re getting them and not, and at times we’re not getting them”. “I’m more like a tank or something like that”. According to the backup center, with treatment he should be ready for Game 2 on Tuesday. Only seven, eight guys are playing, but they’re all talking. The Hawks were great on defense in Game 2 – they won 89-72, the entirety of that margin having been forged in a historic first quarter – but that wasn’t the same as being simply great.
The Celtics have been outscored 54-26 in the opening quarter of the series’ first two games – losses that leave the team staring at a 2-0 hole.
“I got some good clean looks early”, Korver said. In other words, this is really bad. “Here, it never felt like we were at their level”.
Boston struggling was not unexpected, given the Celtics were without two key players. Evan Turner added 17 points, while Jonas Jerebko filled the stat sheet with 11 points, 12 rebounds and four assists in his first start as a Celtic.
Atlanta’s Al Horford scored 17 points and blocked five shots and Jeff Teague scored 13 points and had six assists.
Game 3 of the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics is scheduled on April 23 at the TD Garden, Boston, MA. Marcus Smart, starting in place of Bradley, missed all five of his shots. “Then Isiah Thomas, just gave me a few tips I can’t tell you guys about”. That’s just a sign of respect from [the Hawks], and I just gotta figure it out.
Barnes sums up the Spurs-Grizzlies first round match-up.
“Obviously as a collective strength you may be different”, Stevens admitted before Thursday afternoon’s practice.
“We can’t get off to starts like that”. We know the Boston faithful is always there, cheering us on no matter what type of game it is. They thrive on chaos, on fast breaks, on transition plays when they can get Thomas the ball in space and allow him to attack the basket. “We have to change it around and understand that first-quarter starts are very important to us”.
Tony Allen led Memphis with 12 points and Zach Randolph had 11 points and 12 rebounds. The total opened at 181 and was bumped up slightly to 181.5. “This year (the Hawks were a No. 4 seed), we really had to work to get to this point and we’re just taking advantage of our opportunities”. Isaiah Thomas is averaging 21.5 points per game but is converting at just a 33 percent rate. They have used as many as 28 players during the regular season, a National Basketball Association record.
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“I think one thing is anytime you’re able to get that close to the rim, you get a lot of people trying to draw towards the rim and block shots”, he said.
