Atlanta Shakes Up Starting Five For Game 5

Posted by Brian Robb on May 8, 2012 293538 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2012%2F05%2F08%2Fatlanta-shakes-up-starting-five-for-game-5%2FAtlanta+Shakes+Up+Starting+Five+For+Game+52012-05-08+17%3A26%3A14Brian+Robbhttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D29353

Desperate times call for desperate measures and after a blowout in Game 4, Atlanta’s head coach Larry Drew is going to shake things up a bit and add some bulk to his starting five at each position. Kirk Hinrich and Jason Collins will head to the bench, while Marvin Williams will be inserted at small forward, shifting Joe Johnson to the 2-spot where he will have a major size edge against Avery Bradley. Al Horford will take over center duties after coming off the bench in his return in Game 4. Here’s Larry Drew on the moves (Via Chris Forsberg at ESPNBoston)

“I just wanted to give us a different look and see it if will kinda jump start us a bit,” said Drew. “It gives us an opportunity to move Joe back to some 2, it makes us bigger, so we can do a few more things defensively in making some adjustments in Game 5. And I just think it’s time — you play four games in the playoffs and, obviously it’s a game of adjustments and you try to do things that will benefit the team. I think, at this time, down 3-1, it’s time to give it a different look see it if will jump start us with Al and Marvin in the starting lineup… get us going.”

Not a bad idea overall by Drew, but put this in the category of “too little, too late” in all likelihood for Atlanta. With Smith and Horford still limited by injuries, taking Game 5 will be distinct possibility for Atlanta. Winning three in a row against Boston the way they are defending and taking care of the ball? It would be a minor miracle.

And for the record: Marvin Williams has hit just 5-of-23 shots in this series. He’s clearly earned a starting spot at this juncture.