The explanation for Game 1 of this first-round playoff series between teams that finished the regular season with identical 48-34 records depends on your perspective.
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Bradley went down with a severely strained right hamstring in the fourth quarter of Game 1. Celtics coach Brad Stevens said after the game that Bradley “heard a pop” when the injury occurred. Though Boston isn’t likely to reach that level again, Atlanta is susceptible on the boards.
Several days after a tremendous comeback victory over the Miami Heat, the Celtics proved that they have the ability to fight back when behind.
Whether or not Bradley will play is now a mystery, but will likely become clearer in the next 24 hours. Instead of having the luxury of resting up for the postseason, this team had to play hard right to the end.
Though their diminutive point guard has averaged 20.5 points in 31.7 minutes through four games against Atlanta, it’s been on just 38.3 percent shooting with four turnovers per game; dropping the Celtics’ Offensive Rating from 103.9 to 99.3 versus the Hawks. With him off the floor, the Hawks felt more comfortable collapsing on Isaiah Thomas and being aggressive with their off-ball defensive rotations.
It appears as if the Celtics will be forced to adjust to life without Bradley for potentially the remainder of the series, as the 25-year old had to be assisted off of the court with the help of his teammates and could not even dress himself after the game, needing help from center Jared Sullinger just to put on his trousers.
“We took one with Avery, the rest of those guys will be ready to play, we don’t know about Avery”, Crowder said. The teams briefly exchanged words before the referees stepped in, sending both to their respective benches while they reviewed the call on video replay….
If Bradley’s optimism turns out to be false hope, his absence would certainly be a crushing blow for Boston. Now, that option is gone.
It’s clear Smart enjoys late-game situations.
Teague dished out 12 assists to go along with his scoring output.
In Game 1 of the playoffs they looked like they should. With Bradley checking him and harassing him regardless of what move he opted to showcase, Teague garnered just eight of his 23 points in the first 17 minutes of the second half, the time in which the Celtics surged to wrestle control over the lead. 3 things we learned from the Hawks’ close winPlayoff Teague lives!
Kyle Korver couldn’t make a 3-pointer. Bradley is the one who so often triggers those transition buckets, so losing him presents Stevens with yet another problem.
Rookies R.J. Hunter and Terry Rozier, as well as second-year swingman James Young, could get more playing time, but shooters were a combined 64 for 131 on shots this season where one of those three were the primary defender. Watch Celtics vs Hawks online free live streaming on ESPN TV or Watch ESPN3 tonight between two teams that have a lot to prove. Instead of being the team to beat, they’re more of an afterthought this time around as they prepare to host Boston in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series Saturday night. The rest of the West matchups weren’t determined until the final hours of the regular season. Otherwise, veterans such as Evan Turner or Smart will be leaned on for heavier minutes, a challenging request against a top-rated Atlanta defense. “The work in the first half, getting that lead really gave us some room for error”. The tide immediately shifted, as Atlanta then went on a run to take control of the game.Bradley said he will go for “a test” Sunday morning.
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To pull off what would now be considered an upset, the Celtics will need a number of breaks.
