Atlanta Hawks Look To Take 3-0 Series Lead Over Celtics

The Atlanta Hawks head to the TD Garden on Friday night looking to take a commanding 3-0 series lead over Isaiah Thomas and the Boston Celtics.

The Atlanta Hawks took care of business at home, taking both games against the Boston Celtics at Philips Arena this past week, including a Game 2 rout of Boston by a final score of 89-72.

The importance of Game 3 cannot be understated. If Atlanta wins, they will have a nearly insurmountable lead, almost assuring themselves of punching their ticket to the second round of the playoffs. If they lose, however, this becomes an entirely different series.

The Hawks defense has been the star thus far against the Celtics. In Game 2, Atlanta limited Boston to only seven first quarter points and 32 percent shooting. I fully expect Brad Stevens’ team to bring increased energy in Friday’s game, feeding off what should be a raucous crowd at the TD Garden.

Offensively, some concerns exist for the Atlanta Hawks: namely the recent slump of Paul Millsap. In Tuesday’s game at Philips Arena, Millsap scored only four points on 1-of-12 shooting from the field; but still had a plus/minus of +19 because of his defensive effort, finishing with seven rebounds and four blocks.

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Kyle Korver has also had his own set of struggles against the Celtics, as he went only 1-for-10 from the field in Game 1 last Saturday. In Game 2 though, Korver snapped out of his shooting slump, making 5-of-6 of his shots from beyond the arc and scoring 17 points.

Perhaps the biggest concern for the Atlanta Hawks going into Friday’s Game 3 is the status of reserve point guard Dennis Schroder, who left in the fourth quarter of Game 2 with an apparent ankle injury. Schroder did not practice on Thursday, and is listed as questionable for tonight’s tilt.

If Schroder is unable to play in Game 3, head coach Mike Budenholzer will have to alter his rotation to compensate for the third-year guard’s absence. Veteran point guard Kirk Hinrich will likely receive the bulk of the minutes, along with an increased workload for Tim Hardaway Jr.

Budenholzer could also employ a more defensive-minded lineup should Schroder sit, playing without a point guard entirely and using Kent Bazemore as the primary ball handler. This lineup would give the Hawks needed size and physicality — especially against a desperate Boston team.

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The key Hawks player in Game 3 is no doubt Jeff Teague. The engine that revs Atlanta’s motor, Teague’s play on Friday will be very important to help put the Celtics in a 3-0 series deficit.

Teague has been impressive in this first round series, finishing Game 1 with 23 points and 12 assists and Game 2 with 13 points and six assists. His ability to get to the basket and make open shots have given the Hawks an edge at the point guard position — even when facing another All-Star in Isaiah Thomas.

With Boston playing without Avery Bradley, the Hawks must take advantage of his absence out on the wing. Avery Bradley provided the Celtics with a defensive edge; but without him, Kent Bazemore, Kyle Korver and Tim Hardaway Jr. will likely have an easier time finding open shots.

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The Celtics went 28-13 at home this season, while the Atlanta Hawks were 21-20 on the road. The Hawks have a great chance of taking a 3-0 series lead; but it remains to be seen whether they will capitalize on their momentum and the absence of Avery Bradley.