The C's collapsed on defense in the second half, blowing a 16-point lead and allowing Rashard Lewis to beat them with a deadly layup on the final possession. After a painful loss, what's next for the Celtics? Another showdown with an Eastern Conference titan — and once again, it's on the road. The C's have no time to rest before taking on the Atlanta Hawks, who have already beaten them three times this season.
When and Where
Friday, Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m. ET (CSNE)
Philips Arena, Atlanta, Ga.
Records
Celtics (29-14, 1st place in Atlantic Division)
Hawks (29-15, 1st place in Southeast Division)
Head to Head
The Celtics have met up with the Atlanta Hawks three times this season, and the results haven't been pretty. The C's have lost all three games, failing even to come within eight points in any of the three defeats. The C's really don't want to fall to 0-4 this season against Atlanta; this is a crucial game for Boston against a top Eastern Conference contender.
Skinny
It's not just Boston that these Atlanta Hawks are beating this year. They're are making a mockery of the whole NBA, cruising into the Southeast Division lead and nipping at the Celtics' heels for second place in the Eastern Conference. Joe Johnson is a bona fide franchise player, having taken his game to the next level this season. And the supporting cast of Al Horford, Josh Smith and Mike Bibby is having a superb year. The Hawks aren't going anywhere but up.
Starting Lineups
Celtics
Point guard: Rajon Rondo
Shooting guard: Ray Allen
Small forward: Paul Pierce
Power forward: Kevin Garnett
Center: Kendrick Perkins
Hawks
Point guard: Mike Bibby
Shooting guard: Joe Johnson
Small forward: Marvin Williams
Power forward: Josh Smith
Center: Al Horford
Stat Sheet
Celtics
The Celtics are 13-3 in games decided by double digits.
Boston had seven steals against the Magic on Thursday night. They now have 377 on the season, third-most in the NBA behind Golden State and Denver.
Rajon Rondo has 104 steals, tops in the NBA.
Kevin Garnett is averaging 12.0 points and 4.3 rebounds since making his return to the Celtics a week ago.
After shooting 11-for-38 in his previous three games, Ray Allen shot 8-for-12 from the floor against Orlando on Thursday night.
Kendrick Perkins had zero blocks on Thursday night, snapping his streak of eight consecutive games with at least one.
Paul Pierce shot 1-for-4 from three-point range on Thursday, bringing his percentage for the season down to 46.7. He now ranks third in the NBA.
Hawks
The Hawks are 9-2 against the Atlantic Division this season.
They have scored 111.9 points per 100 possessions this season, third-best in the NBA behind only Phoenix and Denver.
Josh Smith is third in the NBA with 95 blocks.
Al Horford is shooting 57.5 percent from the field, fifth-best in the NBA and also a personal career high.
Joe Johnson leads the Hawks with 21.3 points per game. He has averaged 20 points or more in five consecutive seasons.
Mike Bibby is averaging 9.0 points per game, a career low.
Marvin Williams has 11.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in 15 career meetings with the Celtics.
Black and Blue
Celtics
Brian Scalabrine made his return Thursday night from a separated right shoulder. He played just over four minutes and shot 1-for-2, finishing with three points.
Marquis Daniels is working out with the Celtics and could possibly play as early as Feb. 10.
Hawks
Al Horford has played fewer minutes this week due to a lacerated left thumb.
Mike Bibby suffered a sprained left ankle earlier this season, but he was able to play through the pain.
This Date in Celtics History
In 1985, the Celtics scored a dramatic buzzer-beating win over the Detroit Pistons, as Larry Bird hit the game-winning shot to propel the C's to a 131-130 victory. It was the second consecutive game-winner for Larry Legend, who had also hit a buzzer-beater two days earlier to help Boston to a 128-127 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Overheard
"Tonight was definitely not my night. The one thing about me is that I will continue to work and continue to try to get better. Hell, some nights you look good; some nights you look like [expletive]. And this was one of those nights I looked like pure [expletive]. I just played like [expletive]. It’s on me."
–Kevin Garnett, in the Boston Herald, taking the blame for Thursday night's loss in Orlando.
Press Box
Celtics
The Celtics couldn't capture the Magic.
Kevin Garnett took the blame.
Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo are All-Stars.
Hawks
The Spurs jumped the Hawks on Monday night.
Joe Johnson and Al Horford are All-Stars.
But why not Josh Smith, too?
NBA
Other All-Star reserves include Chris Bosh and Deron Williams.
Gilbert Arenas' suspension reflects poor NBA ownership.
Tony Parker has a sprained ankle.
Outlook
After a rough loss Thursday night, the Celtics have no time to lick their wounds. They have to stay focused on the present and bear down and get a big win. After losing to the Hawks three times already this season, the C's better be out for blood in this fourth and final meeting. They'll need to play with all the energy and youthful exuberance they can muster as this is a young, upbeat Hawks team with unlimited athleticism. They haven't found a way to beat the Hawks yet, but it's not too late to figure it out.
