Hawks vs. Celtics: Game 6 TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

With Atlanta forcing a Game 6 in their first-round series against Boston, it’s time for the veteran Celtics to stop messing around and put the Hawks away for good.

If the end of the fourth quarter of Game 5 was any indication of what’s to come, this game should be a defensive struggle with an ugly finish that leaves no one satisfied. That is, unless you support the Celtics.

Where: TD Garden, Boston, MA

When: Thursday, May 10, 8:00 p.m. ET

Watch: TNT

Live Stream: NBA League Pass

Betting Line (according to Vegas Insider)

Spread: Celtics -6.5, Over/Under: 174

With a very ugly ending to Game 5, the oddsmakers are hoping that bettors forget that no game for the last was that close. Not only should you take Boston giving the points, take the Over because this closeout game will be the Celtics' scoring coming-out party.

 

Key Injuries (via CBS Sports):

Hawks

Zaza Pachulia, C, Out until Game 6 of Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at Boston

Celtics

Jeff Green, PF, Out for season

Jermaine O'Neal, C, Out for season

What’s at Stake?

Game 6 of this first-round playoff series is unbelievably important for both teams. While the Hawks try to win to force a Game 7 and have another chance to move on, the Celtics want to end it here and now. If this series goes to Game 7, Boston will have the advantage, but they will try to end it on the floor of the Boston Garden.

What They're Saying

Knicks beat writer for the New York Daily News, Frank Isola, talks about just how bad the ending of Game 5 was:

"

How about the final minute of Hawks-Celtics? The last time I saw a conclusion to a game that inept was during the NCAA Tournament.

— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) May 9, 2012"

ESPN personality Tony Reali puts his two cents in on the travesty that was the Game 5:

"

I've had food poisonings that have looked/felt better than the last 10 seconds of Celtics-Hawks.

— Tony Reali (@AroundTheHorn) May 9, 2012"

Most Important Player to Watch: Rajon Rondo

If the Boston Celtics want to avoid Game 7 in Atlanta, they will need star point guard Rajon Rondo to bring more to the table than he has during the team’s two losses in this series.

Atlanta doesn’t have an answer for Rondo and he should be burning them left and right but, instead, his 13 points and 12 assists was only enough to get a one-point loss. It’s time for him to step up more.

Boston’s key to winning is getting Rondo going offensively to the tune of around 20 points while still adding the 12-15 assists. If the team gets that much production out of the point guard, Game 7 will be unnecessary.

Key Matchup: Kevin Garnett vs. Josh Smith

While this won’t be the best finesse matchup of the playoffs, this is two men that have chips on their shoulders going head-to-head in what should be an epic battle.

Kevin Garnett loves to use his words and body to bully people around in the low post, but Josh Smith is just as aggressive in his style and attitude.

The problem for the Hawks is that Smith doesn’t bring that intensity every night, and a player like Garnett could get hot early and take his opponent out of the game mentally. If that happens, the series is over.

Prediction: Boston 101, Atlanta 81

With all the age and experience you could want from a team, the ability for the veteran-laden Celtics will have them buttoned down on defense and running at full throttle at the offensive end.

Atlanta has trouble at times in pressure situations, so when Boston punches them square in the mouth they will fall and won’t be able to stand up again. The series ends in Game 6.

Check back for more on the National Basketball Association as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NBA Page to get your fill of all things basketball.

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