ATLANTA – The Boston Celtics have played a furious defense directed at Atlanta forward Paul Millsap. It has been such a chore to get an unobstructed view of the rim, Millsap said, that when he got the ball Tuesday night and saw the rim and nylon, he was too quick on his release. He was expecting one of the Celtics to suddenly fly into his view.
“I felt rushed,” Millsap said. “When I got a good look, rushed it, because you are so used to seeing bodies.”
Millsap has not really joined this Eastern Conference series because the Celtics have not let him. He sets the middle of the floor screen, gets the ball back, looks to drive, and his path is immediately blocked by green.
The Hawks' leading scorer (17.1 per game) made just 1 of 12 shots in Atlanta’s disjointed 89-72 victory in Game 2, which put the Hawks up 2 games to 0 in this best-of-seven series. He has 18 points in two games and has made 30 percent of his shots.
That should be a concern to the Celtics.
“I don’t have to score obviously for us to win,” Millsap said.
The Celtics found Millsap in transition, but they lost Kyle Korver, who made 5 of 7 3s as Atlanta built an early 21-point lead. The Celtics covered up Millsap, but defensive-stopper Thabo Sefolosha popped in 12 points when he averages about six per game.
“Every time I catch the ball normally I am able to drive, penetrate, get in the lane and make plays,” Millsap said. “I’m seeing bodies in front of me every time I turn around, which is good.
“It’s imperative that once I see bodies for me to find guys, or for guys to get to open spots.”
Millsap was credited with one assist, but that does not tell the story of his effectiveness. The Celtics surrounded him, he passed the ball, and there was a shot somewhere else for the Hawks.
“It seems like we do a good job on one person and another guy comes and has a good game,” Boston’s Amir Johnson said. “We do a good job on Millsap and Sefolosha comes out and has a good game. Seems like we shut one down, somebody has a good game.”
In preparation for this series, Johnson said the Celtics have devoted themselves to taking away Millsap’s spots on the floor. Boston regards Millsap as the All-Star that he is, but there is always another Atlanta scorer lurking.
“Breaking down their offense we know where he is,” Johnson said. “We know he sets the screen on the middle pick and roll and we’re able to adjust or switch on him and take away his drive. We’re going through defensive scouting reports on him and we’re able to take away his shots.”
When Millsap adjusts in this series to the defense and finds his rhythm, the Celtics will be in some trouble. They are already down two players, Avery Bradley and reserve Kelly Olynyk, who are injured, so contending with rejuvenated Millsap will be another burden.
Millsap missed all five of his three-pointers here Tuesday night. A nine-year veteran, it is not likely he will let himself get rushed again when the series resumes Friday with Game 3 in Boston.
The Celtics will brace for Millsap’s breakout, while still searching for space for their leading scorer.
“There’s always two guys on me,” the 5-foot-9 Isaiah Thomas said. “When I don’t have the ball they are looking in my eyes and face-guarding me. The best players figure it out. That’s a sign of respect from them.
“I’m missing easy layups that I usually make. I’m getting mid-range shots that I usually knock down.”
The Hawks are renowned for their defense and they have showed it in this series by holding Boston to 34 percent shooting, 25 percent from the 3-point arc.
There was not a safe spot on the floor for the Celtics to shoot. On one play, reserve guard R.J. Hunter squared up for a wide open 3 and Atlanta’s Al Horford sprung out and tipped the shot as it left Hunter’s hand.
Boston coach Brad Stevens said he will look at the film and dissect it for a strategy going forward without Bradley. Obviously, the Celtics are disjointed on offense without their second-leading scorer and not the same defensively. Marcus Smart started in place of Bradley, but the Celtics gave up too many transition baskets without Bradley on the floor.
The Celtics finished the regular season with the same record as the Hawks (48-34), but after two games of crummy offense, Boston is having trouble keeping up with the balanced Hawks.
“It never felt like we were at their level,” Stevens said after Game 2. “We’re going to have to figure that out.”
2016 NBA playoffs: Best of the first round
