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Isaiah Thomas Avoids a Suspension

By Joshua Bateman

Apr 22, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reacts to the crowd as they take on the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. The Celtics defeated the Hawks 111-103. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reacts to the crowd as they take on the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. The Celtics defeated the Hawks 111-103. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Isaiah Thomas had the best game of his career when he propelled the Boston Celtics to their first victory of the playoffs. Thomas gave the Celtics the scoring boost that was missing in the first two games and he was able to successful attack the Atlanta Hawks in every way possible. Thomas finished with 42 points, 12 of which were at the free throw line, 15 from the three point line and 15 from two point range. Thomas provided the shooting that opened up the paint and he did everything to make sure the Celtics could get through the Hawks’ defense.

Thomas had a stellar game by any standard but his status for game four came into question following a suspicious hit to the head of Dennis Schroder.

According to ABC NEWS vis Chris Forsberg of ESPN, Isaiah Thomas will not be suspended for what some have viewed as an intential hit to the head of Schroder. The Hawks and Celtics played one of the most intense and physical games of the playoffs and that hit by Thomas sparked a feud between the two that had TD Garden booing a backup point guard whenever he touched the ball.

Fortunately, the hit to the head is ambigious enough that the league did not feel he could be suspended. Thomas made contact with a somewhat clenched hand but the way Schroeder walked into him as he was turning was enough for the league to allow Thomas to follow up his career night.

Losing Isaiah Thomas is something the Celtics simply cannot overcome. The Hawks have proven that they will play phenomenal defense on the Celtics and with the status of Avery Bradley and Kelly Olynyk uncertain, they have no chance of generating the necessary offense without Thomas.

The Celtics need Thomas, not only for the scoring boost he provided, but also for the way he controls and impacts the offense as a whole. The paint finally opened up because of the way Thomas was hitting shots, and even though he did not tally more than one assist, Thomas’ ability to score gave the Celtics the spacing they need to move the ball well.

The Celtics looked comfortable on the offensive end for the first time of the playoffs and they have no hope of doing that again without Thomas. He may not have another 42 point game, but he will always be the main offensive instigator for the Celtics. The players around him are too limited on the offensive end for them to win with Thomas out of the lineup.

Throw in the nightmare of a rotation the Celtics would have without Thomas and they would need several career days to win without him. The injuries to Bradley and Olynyk have already put both R.J Hunter and Terry Rozier into significant roles. Losing another guard would have put the Celtics into an impossible position where James Young might’ve seen some action and that is absolutely worst case scenario.

The Celtics are already stretched to their limit but Thomas just demonstrated how the Celtics will have a chance any time he is in the lineup. The Celtics’ defense has been stellar throughout the series and that allows the Celtics to overcome their many difficulties on the offensive end. No defense, however, is good enough to overcome this Celtics offense with Bradley, Olynyk and Thomas.

Next: What Went Right in Game Three?

The Celtics have been great at home all season long and if Thomas can pick up where he left off in game three then they should be able to turn this into a three game series. In game three Thomas put on full display his value to the team and news that he will not be suspended is the only thing Celtics fans needed to hear prior to game four.

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