The Atlanta Hawks, ranked second in the National Basketball Association, average 25.4 assists per game.
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Even with the loss of Avery Bradley, Boston suddenly looks like they’re back to believing they can win this series. The Hawks started the run with four 3-pointers out of five baskets. “That’s quite the turnaround”.
The Boston Celtics play the Atlanta Hawks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference NBA Playoffs Round One on Tuesday, start time at 8:30 PM ET, at Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA.
If Game 7 is needed, it would be Saturday in Atlanta. Despite the injuries the Celtics are still in the series and have a chance to move on to the next round, and a lot of that could be credited to head coach Brad Stevens. “Yeah, it was a little frustrating. That’s what we’re going to continue to do”.
Turns out, they had no chance.
Then, coming out of a timeout in which mascot Harry the Hawk did a tribute to Prince and the arena was aglow in purple, the Hawks found their shooting touch. Now they’re the favorite to go back to the Finals. Luckily, the Hawks do have a few secret weapons, and their names are Paul Millsap, Jeff Teague, and Kyle Korver.
Thomas received similar treatment from the Atlanta crowd in Game 5 and like Schroder, had a similarly awful night (seven points, 3-for-12 shooting) offensively.
Scott thinks he knows how can duplicate his Game 5 output.
Just like that, the double-digit deficit turned into a 10-point lead. Regardless, the halftime margin was only 47-39, so it’s not as if the Hawks had seized overwhelming control due to their strong close to the second quarter. “You’ve got to come out fighting”, Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. “The rim gets bigger and bigger”.
It was a night to forget for Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas, who was jeered at every turn by a fiercely partisan Hawks crowd. It was a six-point game with six minutes left in the third and we had struggled to score, but we were up with six minutes left in the second.
“Back in high school”, Thomas said.
Isaiah Thomas was an All-Star this season for the first time ever with the Boston Celtics. “Other guys have to step up and make plays”. They also need their defense to get enough extra offense to beat the Hawks defense. The game is Toronto, but if the Pacers can continue forcing Lowry and DeRozan to take tough shots, and continue executing a balanced offense, you’re looking at IN stealing game five, and possibly closing the deal IN game six, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Gambian-German point guard Dennis Schroder, a prime defender on Thomas, has suddenly become a villain at TD Garden. Thomas was quick to point out after the game that when that happens, his teammates have to make the Hawks pay.
Atlanta Falcons stars Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman were also in the house, along with several of their National Football League teammates.
The Hawks went on a 18-3 run in the third quarter to pull away from the Celtics. Thomas (22.2) and Millsap (17.1) have led their respective clubs in points per game all season long.
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For the series, Scott is averaging 9.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in 19:36. They were down by ten points, 29-19, before connecting on 11 straight shots to take a ten-point lead of their own.
