Hawks Shock Celtics in Game 3

But first to quickly sum up the season: The Atlanta Hawks start off fairly slow, at 3-7. Then they finally get it going winning 12 of the next 17 games. Along the way they trade Tyronn Lue, Anthony Johnson, Shelden Williams, Lorenzen Wright, and a 2008 second-round pick in exchange for Mike Bibby. They finish the season at 37-45 and barely sqeak into the 8th playoff spot, 1 game ahead of the Indiana Pacers. They become the second worst team record-wise to make the playoffs, just one game better than the LA Clippers in 1997 who made the playoffs with a 36-46 record and were promptly swept by the Utah Jazz in 3 games.

The Hawks were rewarded for the first playoff appearance since 1999 by getting to play the Boston Celtics, who had the best record in the NBA this season at 66-16. The first game played just like you would expect a #1 - #8 seed game to play. The Hawks led 2-0, and that was it. The Celtics toyed with the Hawks in the first half, letting them think they had a chance, before pouring it on in the 3rd quarter and never letting go. When it mercifully came to an end, the Celtics enjoyed a 23 point victory.

By the time Game 2 was nearing an end, I had to double check my Tivo to make sure I hadn't just re-watched Game 1. Although it was a slight improvement - the Hawks only lost by 19 points this time.

So that would be it right? The big, bad Celtics and the just-barely-made-it-into-the-playoffs Hawks were right where all the experts were expecting them to be. The Hawks down 0-2, with an average margin of loss of 21 points. The rest would just be formalities. The Celtics would come to Atlanta and play a couple of practice games - warm ups for the second round. Right from the start of the game, it was clear the Hawks would have none of that.

Looking like a completely different team from Games 1 and 2, the Hawks actually looked like they belonged in the NBA playoffs. Josh Smith was spectular with his athletic dunks and blocks, and his barrage of 3 pointers took everyone by surprise as he finished with 27 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Joe Johnson was his usual self with 23 points. Mike Bibby finally made some shots and distributed a team high 8 assists, something he was sorely lacking in the first 2 games. And in my opinion the player of the game was Al Horford who finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists. Although I'm not too sure what to make of his verbal taunt of Paul Pierce at the end of the game. Personally, I didn't like it but I've read lots of posts today and many people seem to think the Celtics were just getting back what they dish out all the time, so I don't know. We'll have to see if it has any repercussions for the remainder of the series.

So when it was finally over, the Hawks had an unbelievable 9 point win. The Hawks pretty much kept the Celtics at arms length through the game. I kept watching and expecting the Celtics to turn it back on and run away with it, but the more the Celtics tried to get back into it, the more the Hawks turned it on. By the end of the game, the Celtics looked physically and emotionally drained, and the Hawks looked like they had just won the NBA championship. It was truly an exciting game to watch, and I can't wait for game 4, which will be Monday, April 28th at 8:00. Hopefully the Hawks can come out and do just what they did in game 3 and shock everyone. Well, everyone except themselves.