I love and respect the way the Atlanta Hawks are playing ball right now, but the Celtics should have closed out the series in Game 6. In general, there is no way this should be heading into a seventh game. Sure, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce have underperformed, but I still place the vast majority of the blame on head coach Doc Rivers.
Let's get specific. With less than 25 seconds remaining in Game 6, the Celtics trailed by two. Rivers called a timeout and drew up one of his "fantastic" set plays. It should have been quite simple -- spread the floor, isolate Kevin Garnett on the left block, and let him get an easy bucket against rookie Al Horford. Instead, what does Doc do?
He calls a set that attempted to open up Allen for a potential game-winning three. An inexcusably terrible head coaching decision. You have arguably the premier one-on-one post player in the NBA, matched up against a rookie (or an inferior Zaza Pachulia) and you wanna jack up a three to win it?
It was a desperate call, and when you have the premier team in the Eastern Conference, there is no need to panic. Possibly the worst part? Allen missed about eight shots in a row before that one. I don't think the "he's due" strategy is appropriate in Game 6 of a playoff series. Maybe in the regular season, but not at this time of the year.
They should have attempted a two to tie, it should have been Garnett, and the conclusion of the game would have been up in the air from that point. The funny thing is, Doc called for the exact play I suggested earlier -- spread the floor, isolate Garnett on the left block -- on the next possession when the Celtics were down by four. Perfect time for a cliche:
"Too little, too late," Doc.
If the Celtics somehow lose Game 7 at home, Rivers is done. I wouldn't want him coaching my D-League team.
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