Isaiah Thomas and the Boston Celtics needed their 111-103 Game 3 victory over the Atlanta Hawks Friday night.
Quite obviously, they needed it to avoid the 3-0 grave from which no NBA team has ever escaped. But, just as importantly, they needed it to prove that they can do this—that this series, despite all the injuries permeating their roster, is not out of reach.
Avery Bradley, a crucial part of what Boston does offensively, remains sidelined with a strained right hamstring. Kelly Olynyk, one of the team's most valuable two-way players, still hasn't returned from a sore right shoulder.
Those absences should be enough to torpedo the Celtics' chances. They're certainly enough to quash the team's game plan and force Brad Stevens to adjust on the fly.
And adapt he did.
Stevens distanced the Celtics from their Game 2 implosion by tweaking the starting five to Jae Crowder, Jonas Jerebko, Amir Johnson, Isaiah Thomas and Evan Turner, a lineup he could only, for the most part, feel good about in theory:
Swapping out Jared Sullinger for Jerebko proved to be a great move. ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Dan Favale
Isaiah Thomas, Celtics Keeping NBA Playoff Hopes Alive Amid Adversity
April 22nd, 2016 by Dan Favale Leave a reply »
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