Projo Sports Blog

BY KEVIN McNAMARA
Journal Sports Writer

ATLANTA – The Hawks may be younger and more athletic than the Celtics at some positions, but nothing can explain the massive disparity at the free-throw line in the Hawks’ favor in this series.

Last night’s free-throw numbers were downright grizzly. The Hawks made more free throws (36) than the Celtics attempted (25). Atlanta finished 36-of-47 from the line while Boston settled for 20 makes in 25 attempts.

"Them shooting 47 free throws to us shooting 25 makes that a tough game to win," said Doc Rivers. "It’s tough that we scored 100 points in a game and didn’t win."

With the Game Six parade to the line included, the Hawks have outscored the Celtics 161-102 from the free-throw line. They’ve attempted 204 to Boston’s 133.

"We’re bailing them out late in the (shot) clock and that kills you," said Rivers. "You have 20 seconds of great defense and give it up by a reach or cheap foul. We can’t bail them out like that."

Boston was whistled for 33 fouls to 23 for the Hawks, but Kevin Garnett says the Celtics cannot blame the referees for the excessive foul calls.

"We’re here on the road. It’s the playoffs so you don’t expect to get any calls on the road. You make do with what you’ve got. But at the same time with five minutes to go we had our chances to get back in the game but we just couldn’t turn the corner."

PIERCE LOSES COOL
Paul Pierce lost his cool when he fouled out at the 4:44 mark and the Celtics down by six points. As Josh Childress scored over Garnett inside, Pierce apparently pushed Zaza Pachulia and was called for the foul away from the ball.

Pierce could not believe the call and he walked off in disgust. But before he left the floor, he threw his headband to the court and was slapped with a technical foul by Bob Delaney. Rivers was not happy that Pierce lost his cool.

"I was disturbed by it because we should never get a fourth-quarter technical. That’s a team rule. You can’t make those up," said Rivers.

Rivers protested the call but said, "Paul threw his headband. Bob said that’s an automatic (call). He said he had to. It’s a league rule. We know that."

KG SAYS CELTS STILL CONFIDENT
Garnett said the Celtics will be ready for a Game Seven on Sunday at the Garden. The Hawks were so happy with the win they could fly themselves to Boston but the Celts say they’re not deflated.

"This is it. It’s for all the marbles," Garnett said. "Our confidence is definitely not shaken."

Rivers said despite the Celts rolling the Hawks three times back in Boston, he’s not taking anything for granted.

"We feel good all the time at home but like I said after Game Five, we can’t hang our hat on just being home," he said

BENCH CHIPPING IN
While the Celtics live and die with the exploits of their new Big Three, it’s clear that the team’s unheralded bench corps carries a lot of weight in the playoffs.

When the Celtics’ bench plays well, the offense has overpowered the Atlanta Hawks. When the bench doesn’t show up, the Hawks spring upsets.

In last night’s Game Six, the bench played well but it still wasn’t enough to prevent a 103-100 loss. The bench players contributed 19 points and 11 rebounds but could not help shut the door on the Hawks. James Posey was the top bench player with two big 3-pointers and seven rebounds.

The bench’s offensive output played a key role through the first five games of the series. In Games One (36 points), Two (28) and Five (35), Boston’s reserves were extremely productive as the Celts rolled to big wins. More importantly, the star of the night was a different player every game. Sam Cassell reached double figures in all three games with a 13-point outing in the fifth game his highest output. Leon Powe, Posey and even Glen Davis have all provided big lifts when they’ve entered the game.

"We don’t need them all. Just one or two," Rivers said of his bench group. "Our bench has played well all season."

The bench failed to do much in the Hawks’ first two wins in the series. The group combined for 11 points in Game Three and 13 in the fourth game.

Cassell said playing time is his biggest obstacle. He credited Rajon Rondo with playing so well that his minutes have been limited.

"Hopefully I’ll have the opportunity," Cassell said before last night’s game.

Opportunity knocked for Cassell last night. Rondo picked up two first-quarter fouls and Cassell was tapped to run the offense in his place for long stretches of the first half. Cassell finished shooting 2-of-8 for four points.

HORSE TALK
Rondo is a proud son of the city of Louisville and no one knows better than him that his hometown will be the center of the sporting universe today. Rondo lives a few blocks from Churchhill Downs, but he’s never seen a Kentucky Derby.

"I lived three blocks from Churchhill. I’ve been there plenty of times but never the Derby. Too crazy," he said.

Asked which horse he likes in today’s race, Rondo said he hasn’t had time to handicap the race. "I don’t even know who’s in it this year," he said.

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