Playoff Preview: (1) Celtics v. (8) Hawks (First Round)

The Hawks have their work cut out for them facing the Celtics in Round 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Celtics Roster

The Boston Celtics revamped their roster during the off season, luring in the likes of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to join Paul Pierce in Celtics green – giving way to the Boston Three Party. Led by a veteran force, the Boston Celtics will also count on their young talents, including Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, and Leon Powe during the playoffs. Take a look at the Boston Celtics depth chart:

• Point Guard: Rajon Rondo, Sam Cassell, Gabe Pruitt
• Shooting Guard: Ray Allen, Eddie House, Tony Allen
• Small Forward: Paul Pierce, James Posey
• Power Forward: Kevin Garnett, Leon Powe, Brian Scalabrine, P.J. Brown
• Center: Kendrick Perkins, Glen Davis, Scot Pollard

Playoff Preview: Celtics Season

Kicking off the 2007-08 season, the Boston Celtics streaked to a stellar 30-4 start – matching the best start in franchise history since the 1959-60 Boston Celtics championship season. However, critics were quick to credit the Celtics’ fast start to an easy, “cupcake schedule” – seeing that the Boston Celtics played less than a handful of Western Conference powerhouses, not including the reigning champion San Antonio Spurs or Dallas Mavericks, during the Boston Celtics’ history-making start. Moreover, the Boston Celtics’ four losses at the time came at the hands of the East’s elite – Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Detroit Pistons.

However, the Boston Celtics proved that they were indeed a legitimate contender for the NBA title, routing the Western Conference 25-5 and becoming the first team to reach the 60-win plateau this season. The Boston Celtics coasted into the playoffs with the best record in the Eastern Conference and in the NBA at large. As a lottery-bound, bottom dweller just one year ago, the Boston Celtics rebounded from a dismal 24-58 record of last season to post 60-plus wins – the biggest single-season turnaround in NBA history. Now, The Boston Three Party just might be the answer to the Boston Celtics’ 20-year NBA Championship drought.

Playoff Preview: Hawks Roster

In the off season, the Atlanta Hawks continued to build around their franchise cornerstone, Joe Johnson, along with young stars-on-the-rise Josh Childress, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, and a rookie-of-the-year top contender Al Horford. Just prior to the NBA All-Star break, the Atlanta Hawks traded Anthony Johnson, Tyronn Lue, Lorenzen Wright, Shelden Williams, and a 2008 second-round draft pick to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for point guard Mike Bibby. Check out the Atlanta Hawks depth chart:

• Point Guard: Mike Bibby, Acie Law, Mario West, Speedy Claxton
• Shooting Guard: Joe Johnson, Mario West, Salim Stoudamire
• Small Forward: Josh Smith, Josh Childress, Jeremy Richardson
• Power Forward: Marvin Williams, Solomonn Jones
• Center: Al Horford, Zaza Pachulia

Playoff Preview: Hawks Season

During much of the first half of the season, the Atlanta Hawks hovered around .500 basketball, yet surprisingly were not out of the running for one of lower playoff seeds in a relatively weak Eastern Conference. In the midst of a six-game losing streak and in need of a solid point guard, the Atlanta Hawks brought in Mike Bibby from the Sacramento Kings on February 21. However, even with the addition of Bibby, the Atlanta Hawks have not made up much ground with their record still below .500. With two games left to play, the Atlanta Hawks clinched the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, beating out the Indiana Pacers. Now, the playoff drought for the Atlanta Hawks is finally over with the Atlanta Hawks heading into the playoffs for the first time since the 1998-99 strike-shortened season.

Playoff Preview: Head-to-Head

The Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks met three times during the regular season, with the Boston Celtics sweeping the series 3-0. On paper, this first-round playoff match up appears to be a complete overmatch with the 60-plus win Boston Celtics taking on the sub-500 Atlanta Hawks, but it should be an interesting first-round playoff series. The Boston Celtics will have their hands full with a very young, very hungry, and very athletic Atlanta Hawks squad. At times, the Boston Celtics have struggled during the regular season against very athletic teams, such as the Charlotte Bobcats, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Washington Wizards.

However, the Boston Celtics – winners of 60-plus games – should win this playoff series over the Atlanta Hawks thanks to the leadership of Kevin Garnett, plenty of veteran talent, and one of the most suffocating defenses in the league. The latest addition to the Boston Celtics roster – Sam Cassell – has won two championships in the past – both with the Houston Rockets. Rising rookie Al Horford will surely challenge and go toe-to-toe with Kevin Garnett, while Mike Bibby – known for his clutch shooting – is sure to make big shots when it counts. As the underdog, the Atlanta Hawks have nothing to lose going against the top-seeded Boston Celtics, making the Atlanta Hawks a very dangerous team to face in the first round – just think about the Golden State Warriors’ epic upset over the 67-win Dallas Mavericks last season.

If the Celtics close out this series (as expected), round 2 against the Cavs would be a fantastic matchup. Preview NBA Playoffs Round 2 - Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Playoff Preview: Schedule

The Boston Celtics have home-court advantage over the Atlanta Hawks in the first-round of the playoffs. With the Boston Celtics selling out every game this season and the Boston Celtics drawing in the NBA’s top road attendance, home-court advantage could very well play a deciding factor in this playoff series.