Hawks Sweep Celtics

T Lamont — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:56:21 +0000

If the Boston Celtics plan on making it to the Eastern Conference Finals, they’d better avoid finishing the season with a #1 ,#2 or #3 seed.

Finishing the season with either seed would set them up with a possible match-up against the Atlanta Hawks in the 2nd Round of the playoffs. And based on their regular season meetings, that would effectively end Boston’s season.

Tonight, the Atlanta Hawks completed the season sweep (4-0) over the Boston Celtics with a 100-91 victory at Phillips Arena. Jamal Crawford had 28 and Joe Johnson had 27, as they continued their dominant play against the Celtics’ defense.

Joe Johnson scored 16 points in the fourth quarter.

Atlanta won this game by out-shooting Boston, 47% (37-78) to 42% (31-74). The Celtics are among the league leaders in field goal defense (2nd in the NBA allowing 43%), but the Hawks are able to attack with a two-pronged approach. Johnson, an All-Star for the 4th straight season, and Crawford provide the Hawks with two players who are equally able to break down the Boston defense off the dribble. This ability generates ball movement which, if done effectively, can soften up the toughest defenses. This has been the attribute that sets the Hawks apart from other teams, and enables them to give the Celtics fits.

Apart from Paul Pierce’s impressive performance (11-15 FG, 12-13 FT, 35 points), the Celtics had little else going to them. Ray Allen struggled (4-13 FG) and Kevin Garnett had a modest game (15 points, 7 rebounds). First time All-Star Rajon Rondo dished out 8 assists, but was only 3-13 from the field.

Last year, it was Boston that swept the season series over the Hawks. However, the addition of Crawford has seemingly turned it all around for Atlanta. If he keeps up his great play, his Hawks may very well be rewarded with a postseason sweep over the Celtics.

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Jamal Crawford Gives the Hawks Wings

T Lamont — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:10:27 +0000

Jamal Crawford’s skills finally get a chance to make a difference.

A quick search of Crawford’s profile will reveal that he has never participated in the NBA playoffs. In fact, he’s never even come close.

Crawford has played for rebuilding teams in Chicago (2000-2004), New York (2004-2008) and Golden State (2008-2009). On those teams, Crawford has been a good player – with his game peaking over the last three years. That time span has seen him average 17.6, 20.6 and 19.6 points per game. Most NBA followers recognize his name, but Jamal’s been toiling in obscurity for teams that haven’t made their presence felt in the league. This year things have changed.

The Atlanta Hawks traded for Crawford in June, giving up seldom-used guards Acie Law and Speedy Claxton in the process.

Hawks general manager Rick Sund:

“I’m definitely happy with what we’ve done. We got a player who scores 20 a game for two players who probably didn’t fit into what we were going to do in the future.”

Crawford played hard for Golden State, bue he wasn't in their plans for the future.

Anytime you get a player that you intend to play in exchange for players that you never play, it seems a good deal to me. Even more so when you get a player with the set of skills that Crawford has. The 6’5″ Crawford could be referred to as a combo guard, but that would belittle the ability that he has to play both the point guard and shooting guard positions with good effectiveness. Jamal has slick moves and has the ball on a string. He has legitimate three-point range and plays big in clutch situations. More importantly, he pairs with Joe Johnson to give Atlanta a couple of guys who are true playmakers.

For the first time in his career, it looks as if Crawford will get into the playoffs. And the Atlanta Hawks are more than happy to have him. The Eastern Conference is stacked with tough, deep teams, and the odds will be against them making it past the second round.

But then again, it wouldn’t be the first time that Crawford has played for a team that wasn’t expected to win.

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Ball or Nuthin' » Jamal Crawford

Hawks Sweep Celtics

Jamal Crawford Gives the Hawks Wings