Celtics – Hawks Preview: Is Atlanta a Legit Contender?
Jan 12, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard
Marcus Smart(36) dribbles the ball against New Orleans Pelicans guard
Jimmer Fredette(32) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Celtics Roster News
Breaking news – the Boston Celtics have just traded their ENTIRE roster for the Cleveland Cavalier’s first pick in the upcoming NBA draft. Because you know the Cavs will somehow land the top pick.
Okay – clearly I’m just kidding here, although it sure feels like the Celtics are trading everyone away. . .
Report: Celtics to send Austin Rivers to Clippers for second-round pick http://t.co/bYBClUXocs pic.twitter.com/NTKRlsvoK2
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 14, 2015
. . .or buying out all the new players they have received in trades lately.
Report: Nate Robinson, #Celtics buyout complete: http://t.co/hSpFcFutp6 pic.twitter.com/vk5nnp1H1A
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) January 14, 2015
Report: Celtics negotiating buyout with Tayshaun Prince http://t.co/bzfA0Sxwok
— Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) January 14, 2015
Don’t worry, though – the Celtics still have Gerald Wallace!
Oh boy . . . .
Tonight’s starting lineup will almost certainly be as follows: Evan Turner, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, Jared Sullinger, Tyler Zeller.
Personally, I and everyone else who is a Celtics fan would like to see Marcus Smart get the start, but he did play 30 minutes Monday, so his playing time is increasing. Hopefully, we can see a good chunk of James Young time, as well – but let’s not get too greedy right now.
Prediction
I know I was a bit off-base Monday when I predicted a double-digit win for the New Orleans Pelicans over the Celtics. Blame that one on my being blinded by Anthony Davis‘ awesomeness – the Pelicans are now 0-7 on the road against Eastern Conference teams, so Boston’s win really shouldn’t have blind-sided me quite so badly.
That doesn’t mean I’m hopping on the Celtics’ bandwagon today, though! Atlanta does too many things right, and three out of its five starters get a nice breather last night. Boston’s players are impressing me with their resiliency in light of all the changes that are being thrown their way . . . but this Hawks team enjoys too many advantages over the Celtics tonight. My pick: 106-91, Hawks.
The game tips off at 8 p.m. Follow us @houdiniceltics as we wait and see which player on the Cs gets traded next! We might watch the game, too!