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2008 Atlanta Hawks v. Boston Celtics Playoff Predictions

It was quite a feat for the eight seed Hawks to make the playoffs this season, but they may only be playing four more games than the teams who didn't make the postseason as the number one seeded Boston Celtics are waiting for them. Find out how Jimmy Boyd sees this series shaking out in his Hawks/Celtics round one NBA Playoff predictions.

The Arguments:

Last season, the Hawks were actually a better team, but oh how the tables have turned with Boston bringing in All-Stars Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to combine with Paul Pierce to create the most dynamic trio in the NBA.

The Celtics and Hawks have met nine times in postseason history. Boston has won eight of the nine matchups. But this is the first time these two meet in the postseason since 1988. However, majority rules as the Celtics will win this series likely in 4 games and in 5 at the most.

In the Celtics two previous playoff trips, 2004 and 2005, they were taken out in the first round, but those teams were far less talented and far less experienced than this one. Since 1984, only three No. 8 seeds have beaten a No. 1 seed in the first round. The most recent came last year when Golden State knocked off Dallas by winning the series 4-2. An 8 over a 1 seed could happen again in the West, but it's not going to happen in the East this year.

The Hawks added point guard Mike Bibby who has played on championship-caliber teams with the Kings in the past. He gives them an experienced floor leader to help groom the young talent. Joe Johnson can flat out light it up from the floor and Josh Smith, Marcus Williams, and Al Horford are three of the best young players in the game. But that's the point here. Besides the obvious fact that the Celtics are a much better team, underdog lovers aren't going to want to touch the Hawks here because they are just too inexperienced.

Pierce, Garnett, and Allen all need that championship ring to solidify their careers and with the season they have just enjoyed, these three guys are hungrier than ever. The Hawks are a middle of the road team on both offense and defense while the Celtics are the best defensive team in the NBA and can beat you a number of ways on offense. Perhaps the biggest thing going against the Hawks here is that they are only 12-29 on the road this season. This just isn't going to get the job done. Home court advantage is too significant in a best-of-seven series, with teams with the advantage having won 272 of 363 (.749) series.

Prediction:

Celtics in 4 games

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Take a look at our Cavs Celtics predictions.

We now have all of the first round games broken down series by series:

Updated April 17th, 2008