What To Watch For: Celtics-Hawks Game 2
By Matthew Geagan, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Celtics' Game 1 loss to the Hawks on Saturday left a bitter taste in our mouths, but that will all go away if they can win Game 2 on Tuesday night and steal home court advantage away from Atlanta.
That will be no easy task though, not without Avery Bradley, likely out for the rest of the series (and possibly playoffs) with a strained hamstring, and with Kelly Olynyk (shoulder) potentially joining him on Boston's injured list. But it's not impossible.
The Celtics actually beat the Hawks without Bradley back in November, their only win over Atlanta this season. But that feels like a decade ago, when the NBA season wasn't even a month old and both teams were far from who they are today. So while it's a fun footnote to point out, that fact will mean absolutely nothing come Tuesday night -- or the rest of the series.
It certainly hurts to lose Bradley, one of Boston's best defenders and more consistent three-point shooters. His absence will really put Boston's best asset, its depth, to the test, which is one of the most intriguing story lines as we head into Tuesday night's Game 2.
Thankfully, there's one story line we don't have to watch: No more ugly neon shirts being given away at Philips Arena.
And now that we'll be able to look at our TV without wanting to tear our eyes out, here's what we'll be watching for on the floor:
Who Steps Up For Bradley?
Without Bradley, someone else will have to try to make life difficult for Atlanta guard Jeff Teague. That will mean more minutes, and a bigger challenge, for Evan Turner (likely getting the start for Bradley, though no decision has been made just yet on the starting five) and Marcus Smart (likely off the bench). Not only do they have to worry about matching Bradley's efforts on the defensive end, but they'll also have to fill in as Isaiah Thomas' running mate on the offensive end. Smart was solid on that front in Game 1, scoring 15 points on 5-for-10 shooting, while Turner was his Swiss Army Knife self with 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists in 34 minutes. The duo was responsible for 25 of Boston's 29 bench points in Game 1, and they'll have to up that production Tuesday with Bradley out.
But it doesn't end there for the Celtics. Rookies Terry Rozier, a pest off the bench on both ends of the floor, and R.J. Hunter, a potential sniper from downtown, could also see some extended minutes off the pine.
Replacing Bradley is a tall order for the Celtics against one of the best defensive teams in the league. But if Brad Stevens can find the right mix, they may be able to weather the storm for the rest of the series.
Will Olynyk Play?
It would be disappointing if Olynyk can't tough it out on his 25th birthday, as Boston could use his three-point shooting with Bradley out of the lineup. Olynyk played 12 minutes in Game 1 and didn't attempt a three-pointer, but when he's confident and has that shot going he's an important part of the Celtics spreading the floor, letting Isaiah Thomas and others go to work and drive to the hoop.
Without Bradley, Stevens hinted that he may employ a more traditional lineup with two big men rather than go small ball. That would be a great time to have Olynyk, despite his lack of rebounding ability as a seven footer, but likely means Tyler Zeller is in line for more minutes -- check that -- actual minutes in Game 2. It may give you a headache thinking about Zeller going against the likes of Paul Millsap and Al Horford, but he may be Boston's best option in the paint at the moment.
LISTEN: Zo & Bertrand Say Olynyk "Must Play In Game 2"
Amir Johnson and Jared Sullinger, who both had underwhelming performances in Game 1, will also have to step things up if Stevens decides to go big more consistently on Tuesday. Getting production out of any one of those three bigs will go a long way towards Boston stealing Game 2.
Celtics Need To Attack The Rim
The Celtics fell behind in the first half because they forgot how to play defense, but also because they forgot how to attack the basket. They settled for poor jumpers, with 34 of their 52 first half attempts coming from outside the paint.
Their second half surge was sparked by their renewed sense of going to the hoop, with nearly half of their third quarter points coming at the rim (18 of 31). Rather than wait until they're in a hole, go to the basket early and often in hopes of getting Millsap and/or Horford in early foul trouble. It will cause the Hawks to collapse on D and potentially open up better looks for Isaiah on the perimeter, if he isn't driving to the hoop himself.
If Boston goes big, they'll need their guys in the paint to go to work. While their defense down low is one of Atlanta's strengths, it's one the Celtics should attack in hopes of opening up some clean looks from deep and more driving lanes for their slashers.
Bazemore Is Going To Be Mad
Kent Bazemore went off in Game 1, with 23 points and eight rebounds, something the Celtics hope to keep him from doing again on Tuesday.
They just shouldn't have made it so darn public:
Isaiah Thomas on Kent Bazemore: "Guys like that, we gotta try to limit them. We can't have guys like that having big games."
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) April 18, 2016
Bazemore had no problems creating his own shot on Saturday, hitting seven of his 13 shots and hitting eight of 10 from the free throw line. The Celtics will be focused on him Tuesday night, but there's little doubt he'll have Thomas' comment from Monday hanging in his locker for some extra motivation -- if he needed any.
It's bad enough the Celtics will have their hands full with Teague, but now they'll have an even-more motivated Bazemore running wild, all without their best defender.
But Boston will be just as motivated, with a chance to steal home court and head home with the series tied 1-1. It's not going to be easy, but not much has been for this Celtics team throughout the season. In a series hole and with their depth facing its biggest test of the season, we'll find out what kind of team the Celtics really are the rest of the way against the Hawks -- a great regular season team not ready for the spotlight of the NBA playoffs, or a team ahead of schedule and ready to make that next jump.
Tune in to Celtics-Hawks Game 2 on 98.5 The Sports Hub — the flagship station of the Boston Celtics. Pregame coverage with Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell begins at 6:30pm!