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Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks NBA Playoff Preview & Free Pick

NBA Playoffs Basketball Matchup: Celtics vs Hawks

After winning Game 1, the Hawks managed to take control of a series that not many gave them a chance in. Not only did the Atlanta win, but they flat out dominated the game. They never trailed, and the closest it got in the latter stages was just four points.

Date/Time: 7:30 PM ET, Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Venue: Phillips Arena, Atlanta, GA
Broadcast: NBA TV
Spread: Hawks -4
Over/Under: 173

Matchup | Preview

That’s when all hell broke loose, resulting in a scrum ensuing between the Hawks three-point line and midcourt. The Celtics were screaming for a jump ball, but instead the referee awarded a foul on Brandon Bass. Well that didn’t set well with the Celts’ Rajon Rondo who did not agree with the call, and what came next may have cost the Celtics more than just the opener.

Rondo barked at the ref for his first technical, but was not quite done after just one, as it seemed the first one just incited him on. He continued at the ref and eventually chest bumped him in the end for an immediate ejection. By all account, Rondo should not be a participant in Game two, but we’ll see how the NBA rules on that one.

Aside from that debacle, the Celtics still have a lot to worry about if they want to avoid an early exit.  [soliloquy id=”82219″]

Kevin Garnett got off to a terribly slow start, and Paul Pierce did the same. Most people would have you believe that if you fix that, the Celtics win handily right? Well, it isn’t that simple. It’s not like the Hawks played their best ball either. Joe Johnson and Josh Smith both shot woefully from the field, and if that picks up at all Boston could be in real trouble.

The Celtics need Ray Allen in the worst way. He will end up being the X-factor if he is able to go at any point in this series.

Free Pick : Hawks- I think the Celtics find their back against the wall here. With all of their the starters on the floor, Atlanta dominates Boston in every way.

The only reason Game 1 was even close, was poor play by the Hawks’bench.

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Articles on CappersPicks.com are written by Q (the Head Honcho) at Cappers Picks or by our resident "in house" handicapper Razor Ray Monohan! Enjoy the free picks folks! "Pad that bankroll one day at a time!"