![]() |
Via Getty Images
Jeff Green and the Celtics will look to end a five-game losing streak.
|
With their West coast swing behind them, the Celtics (19-39) hope to kick their five-game losing streak as they return home. They will take on the Atlanta Hawks (26-30).
This is the third of four meetings between the two teams. The two have split the first two matchups.
Atlanta has had a rough month of February. They're 1-9 in the month.
They will also be without All-Star forward Paul Millsap for tonight's game. He has a right knee contusion.
For the Celtics, Avery Bradley (ankle) and Vitor Faverani (knee) are out. Jared Sullinger, who suffered a concussion in Friday's loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, is a game-time decision.
Projected lineups:
Hawks:
Jeff Teague
Kyle Korver
Shelvin Mack
DeMarre Carrol
Elton Brand
Celtics:
Rajon Rondo
Gerald Wallace
Jeff Green
Brandon Bass
Kris Humphries
Keys to the game:
1. Stop the three: Atlanta is shooting 37% from three-point range, good for sixth in the league. They have six players shooting better than 36% from three. 28% of their points come off three-pointers, the best mark in the league. So what do the Celtics have to do? Stop their three-point attack. Kyle Korver leads Atlanta's attack. Korver has hit a three-pointer in 125 consecutive games, the longest streak in league history.
2. Third quarter woes: Atlanta is averaging 26 third-quarter points, good for fifth in the league. The third quarter has been the Celtics' kryptonite this season. They're giving up nearly 25 points in the third and scoring only 22.6 points, the second-worst mark in the league. Someway somehow, the C's need to come out of the locker room strong and prevent another third-quarter let up.
Celts win, Celts win the CEEEEEELLLLLLLTTTTTIIIIIIIIIIIICS Win!
ReplyDelete