December 17, 2008
The Celtics likely will have Paul Pierce when they take the floor in Atlanta tonight. The larger question is whether they will have their heads and games in proper sync. Lack of same was a large part of what cost them three games at Philips Arena during last year's playoffs. And those three outcomes served to embolden a young group of Hawks who now are playing significantly better.
And these guys apparently are not frightened of winning streaks. The Atlantans ended Cleveland's 11-game run last Saturday, and now they get a crack at the Celts' 15-gamer.
``Oh, for sure we know they're better,'' said Kendrick Perkins of the Hawks. ``I saw them knock off Cleveland's winning streak, so we know we've got our hands full. They're a great team.'' The Celtics, owners of the best record in the NBA at 23-2, aren't too shabby either. And it was looking yesterday as if they'd have their starting lineup intact. Pierce suffered a left knee contusion when Mehmet Okur rolled into him late in Monday's win over the Utah Jazz, but the captain reported afterward he was feeling better.
The word is, while Pierce still was feeling some tenderness in the area yesterday, the problem was not severe enough to require an MRI. Pierce was on the team charter in the afternoon and a more definitive word will be rendered at this morning's shootaround. The team did not practice yesterday.
Without Pierce, the Celts would have suffered a third loss this season and it would have been to the Hawks. His 20-footer with a half-second left gave the C's a 103-102 win Nov. 12 at the Garden.
After Monday's game, Pierce looked ahead to the rematch.
``This is going to be a whole different ballclub than we saw last year during the regular season,'' Pierce said. ``It's going to be more like the team we saw in the playoffs. We have to come with our `A' game or we won't be walking out of there with a win. The way they're playing at home (9-1), they're playing at a high level.''
The key, according to Perkins, will be above the shoulders. ``We've just got to go in there and stay focused and do our job,'' he said. ``The rest will take care of itself. I just think we've got to go in and play team ball and we should come out with the win. It's just focus.''
Asked if the Celtics had that quality in the needed quantity in the three playoff games in Atlanta, Perkins didn't hesitate. ``No, I don't think so,'' Perkins said. ``We were night and day from the way we were at home. I think our mental focus has to be better.'' The Celtics certainly are saying the right things. But they did that last April, too.
And if those meetings and the first duel this season didn't get the C's attention, Atlanta's win over the Cavaliers would have done the trick.
``They just beat Cleveland at home, so they're pretty confident right now,'' Rajon Rondo said. ``I'm sure they're waiting on us, so it'll be a tough game. We've got to go in there and focus and try to get one on the road in Atlanta. We didn't do it last year except in the regular season, but I'm sure this will be like a playoff-type of game - very physical. It'll probably go down to the wire.''
For his part, coach Doc Rivers wants to leave the past behind and stick with what his team has done well this season.
``We're just going to be ready to play,'' Rivers said. ``We always believe it's about what we do. We can't worry about anything from last year or any of that.''
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