Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 3:46 am
Well, I still think we win this series but matchups are an issue. Garnett has played well but Smith has just played even better the last two games. He's proven that if he's focused and plays smart he's too athletic to be shut down, even by Garnett. And he's playing like a world beater defensively. However, I don't think he'll shoot with the same confidence in Boston.
Johnson is killing us offensively, and I do think it's worth trying Posey and Tony Allen on him to see if they can cool him off. I doubt Johnson can go around T.A. like he does R.A., and I don't think he can go over Posey like he does R.A.
Our HUGE advantage should be Pierce against Williams, but Paul hasn't stepped up the last two games. I think he will in Boston.
Rondo is better than Bibby, but if Atlanta is going to use their giants to pick him off our bigs have to help better. Bibby isn't fast anymore, and shouldn't be able to get to the rim. Rondo got rattled a little early on with the shot blocks and the fouls but eventually bounced back. But it looks like we're going to need him to win his matchup decisively as in the first two games.
Perk started off great with 6 or seven quick boards and good D but then seemed to react and move much slower. I don't know what happened there. He and Powe should be able to play Horford/Pachulia even.
Personally, I hope we use Posey, Powe, Allen and House off the bench. I think those four are significantly better than Atlanta's bench.
Johnson is killing us offensively, and I do think it's worth trying Posey and Tony Allen on him to see if they can cool him off. I doubt Johnson can go around T.A. like he does R.A., and I don't think he can go over Posey like he does R.A.
Our HUGE advantage should be Pierce against Williams, but Paul hasn't stepped up the last two games. I think he will in Boston.
Rondo is better than Bibby, but if Atlanta is going to use their giants to pick him off our bigs have to help better. Bibby isn't fast anymore, and shouldn't be able to get to the rim. Rondo got rattled a little early on with the shot blocks and the fouls but eventually bounced back. But it looks like we're going to need him to win his matchup decisively as in the first two games.
Perk started off great with 6 or seven quick boards and good D but then seemed to react and move much slower. I don't know what happened there. He and Powe should be able to play Horford/Pachulia even.
Personally, I hope we use Posey, Powe, Allen and House off the bench. I think those four are significantly better than Atlanta's bench.
SMH @ P2. :]