Nov

13

Glass-Cleaning Hawks Soar Past Celtics 97-86

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap 

The Boston Celtics have lost only two games so far in this still young NBA campaign. Both have been at home in the friendly confines of the “New Garden” and both losses were to young athletic teams on consecutive Friday nights. Last Friday the Celtics suffered their first loss of the season to the Phoenix Suns by a score of 110-103.  This Friday night they would lose to the Atlanta Hawks 97-86.

Atlanta would get the victory with a 24 point night by former Boston player Joe Johnson, Jamal Crawford coming off the bench and adding 18 more and a double-double by Al Horford.  Atlanta really won the game with the battle of the boards as they out-rebounded the Celtics 47-29.

With the Boston front-court that should never happen; however when Kevin Garnett pulls down just 5 rebounds and Rasheed Wallace comes off the bench and adds just 3 more that is what you will get. Starting center Kendrick Perkins had 9 boards but the only other Celtics player to exceed 3 was Rajon Rondo who had 4. That is one of this team’s calling cards and they can not afford to take off a night against a young, hungry and talented team like the Hawks.

In 2008 Atlanta arguably gave Boston their toughest series in the NBA Playoffs as the Celtics would capture the Association’s Title as Champions. The Hawks have gotten better with experience and the addition of Free Agent Jamal Crawford during the off-season. Crawford coming off the bench is like injecting instant offense into the Atlanta line-up especially when he is playing against the opponent’s reserves.

The contest stayed close for the first 36 minutes but it would be the Hawks shutting down the Celtics offense in the final quarter that was the key. Atlanta would hold a slim 24-22 advantage at the end of the first quarter. The Celtics would be on top as the two teams walked into the locker room at the half but by a razor thin margin of 42-41.

Boston would hold the lead for most of the third quarter but Joe Johnson drained a 23 foot trey with 3:49 to play giving the Hawks the lead 63-62. Atlanta would hold onto the advantage for the rest of the period and would head into the fourth on top 72-70. That would be the closest the Celtics would be the rest of the evening as Jamal Crawford opened up the period hitting an outside jumper and Atlanta never looked back.

Joe Johnson would put up 24 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal while Jamal Crawford came off the bench with 18 points, 2 assists and 1 rebound. Josh Smith would have 14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 assists and 1 steal while Mike Bibby added 13 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds. Al Horford would record a double-double as he put up 12 points, 13 boards, 3 assists, 3 steals and 1 block in the Hawks victory.

Paul Pierce would also have 24 points for the Celtics but only 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Kevin Garnett scored 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals while Kendrick Perkins also added 14 points, 9 rebounds and 1 block. Ray Allen contributed 10 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds. Atlanta improves to a record of 7-2 and will play host to the New Orleans Hornets Saturday. Boston is now 8-2 and will be in Indiana Saturday to take on the Pacers.

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