The Celtics are coming back to Boston...with the Hawks. Once again, the Hawks outplayed the Celtics in the 4th quarter to win at home 103-100.
This has been a consistent trend in this series. When the game is close going into the 4th, the Hawks seem to shift into a higher gear, and the Celtics seemed to be worn out. The Hawks are a young, fast team. The Celtics, on the other hand, are a bit older, a bit wiser, a bit slower, and much more prone to wearing down as a tight game comes to an end.
The officials have also played their part in this debacle. Had the refs called this series evenly, it would have been over in 5 or 6 games. But the Celtics have struggled to keep their cool. The 6th foul on Paul Pierce in game 6 was complete bullshit. But there was no need for Pierce to spike his headband and draw a technical.
The piss poor officiating extends beyond the massive number of times Atlanta has been given free throw opportunities. The Celtics have been handcuffed on defense, unable to make any contact. Even when the Hawks go out of their way to run into a defender, Atlanta is getting the calls.
But you know what, the Hawks just aren't a good team. And as we all saw in games 1, 2, and 5; the Celtics are simply on a higher plane of existence. And the refs were calling the games for Atlanta, as well.
Game 7, Sunday afternoon, in Boston.
Source:
ESPN.com
Photo Credits:
Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images
