I’m very frustrated. I’m frustrated with the fact that the Celtics-Hawks series has gone to 7 games. It should have been done in 5. I’m frustrated that some guys on talk radio talk like the Hawks have dominated the Celtics at home. 2 of the 3 games have been down to the wire.
I feel like the 1992 election when Bill Clinton had to state the obvious. In watching the games it is obvious to me that it’s the free throws. Free points by the Hawks that have made a BIG difference in Atlanta. Horrible officiating is why Paul Pierce watched the end of Game 6 from the bench with a towel on his head. I’m not impatient with the Celtics. I think they have played well. But they’ve played with a disadvantage due to the disparity in fouls called. Whining, or facts? Look at the facts, folks.
During the course of the regular season, the Celtics averaged 26.5 FTA per game. So far in the playoffs, they are averaging 22.2.
During the regular season, the Hawks averaged 27.1 FTA per game. During the playoffs, they are averaging 34 FTA.
Contrary to what some nimble-minded announcers would think- over the course of an 82 game season the difference between free throw attempts for these 2 teams is .6 FT or less than one. Yet, in the playoffs, the Hawks are shooting 12 more per game than the Celtics.
It is not because the Celtics are a “jump shooting team”. Watch Pierce drive to the hoop. Watch Rondo drive to the hoop. Nearly every shot Powe and Perkins take is near the basket. Half of KG’s shot are close to the basket. Game 6 was just another example of the Celtics being whistled for minimal contact and the Hawks, well, not being whistled.
2 of the 3 games in Atlanta were essentially settled by free throws. The free throw disparity created the Atlanta victories. This is not the Celtics being passive, but the refs calling 2 different games. Should the Celtics win, and the same crew(s) officiate, LeBron himself will probably average 30 FTA/game. How can you compete against this unfair advantage?
While I am surprised by last night, I still think Celts will rise to occasion of a game 7 in Beantown, and trounce the Hawks tomorrow.
Hey, did you notice where Golden State Warriors had a record of 48-34, not qualifying for the West playoffs, finishing in the number 9 slot?
With that record they not only would have qualified in the East, they would have been slotted the #4 seed, w/ home court advantage in round one! Amazing, huh?
Go Magic!