Eastern Rivalry Renewed: Hawks (6-0) VS Celtics (7-1)Preview

Atlanta Hawks (6-0) VS Boston Celtics (7-1)

Probable Starters
PG Rajon Rondo PPG 8.6 REB 3.9 ASST 6.3

SG Ray Allen PPG 15.5 REB 5.3 ASST 2.6

SF Paul Pierce PPG 18.8 REB 7.6 ASST 4.0

PF Kevin Garnett PPG 15.4 REB 10.0 ASST 1.6

C Kendrick Perkins PPG 5.4 REB 7.4 BLk 2.5
Reserves
Reserves
Tony Allen
Glen Davis
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Brian Scalabrine
Patrick O'Bryant
JR Giddens
Bill Walker
Sam Cassell

Injuries:
Paul Pierce (hand) will play
Rondo (body) will play

Probable Inactive
JR Giddens
Patrick O'Bryant
Sam Cassell

Probable Starters
PG Mike Bibby PPG 14.2 REB 2.4 ASST 5.6

SG Joe Johnson PPG 25.2 REB 5.2 ASST 3.8

SF Marvin Williams PPG 10.8 REB 6.0 ASST 1.3

PF Al Horford PPG 8.8 REB 8.8 ASST 3.2

C Zaza Pachulia PPG 4.2 REB 5.2 ASST 0.8
Reserves
Acie Law
Solomon Jones
Maurice Evans
Flip Murray
Othello Hunter
Randolph Morris
Mario West
Speedy Claxton
Thomas Gardner
Josh Smith

Injuries
Josh Smith (ankle) day to day
Speedy Claxton (knee) out

Probable Inactive
Josh Smith
Speedy Claxton
Thomas Gardner

Key Matchups
vs
Bibby was very vocal about the Celtics fans during the playoffs, calling them bandwagon fans. I am sure they haven't forgotten that so expect him to be booed early and often.

vs
Joe Johnson will try to get the best of his former team. He has been averaging over 25 points per game and it will be up to Ray Allen to try to contain him like he couldn't do in the playoffs last season in this game.

Honorable Mention
Kevin Garnett vs Al Horford
Al Horford's taunting earned the Celtics' Captain a fine when he retaliated with the so called gang sign in the playoffs. Expect KG to send him a message in this game.

Marvin Williams
Marvin is the biggest X factor of this game. As we all know Marvin Williams was suspended for the clothesline of Rajon Rondo in game 7 last season, he served his suspension and the Hawks are the best team in the East, with Josh Smith out, Marvin Williams must step up and take on some of the scoring load, have a breakout game of at least 18 pts 6 rbs to make his presence felt there.

Game Notes
The Hawks took the Celtics to 7 games in the first round of the playoffs, surprising many fans on both sides. They started where they left off in the playoffs with a 5-0 start this season beating the Magic, 76ers, Hornets, Raptors and Thunder with the first 4 teams all having playoff aspirations and the Hornets being favored by some to win it all.

The Hawks took a page from the Celtics book and are doing it with defense, holding teams to 85.8 points per game which is second only to the Lakers 84.4. The Celtics come in third at 86.75. They are limiting teams to 40.8% field goal percentage which is 3rd best in the league behind the Celtics 38.2% and the Lakers 39%. This should be a defensive battle and the Celtics would be very wise not to start slow in this game because they may not be able to make it up against this Hawks defense.

The Hawks are playing in the second of back to back games, having faced the Bulls the night before and the Celtics had the previous night off but are playing in their 3rd game in 4 nights.