SB Nation Atlanta: All Posts by Matt Brigidihttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2012-05-04T22:47:27-04:00https://atlanta.sbnation.com/authors/matt-brigidi/rss2012-05-04T22:47:27-04:002012-05-04T22:47:27-04:00Hawks Vs. Celtics, Game 3 Final: Boston Takes 2-1 Series Lead With 90-84 OT Win
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<p>At one point it appeared as though Game 3 belonged to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a>. With the Boston faithful anticipating their Celtics taking a 2-1 series lead, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a> played the spoiler by battling back with a 15-4 run in the final six minutes of the fourth quarter to force overtime. </p>
<p>The comeback was largely fueled by <span>Joe Johnson</span> who registered 27 points through regulation and scored the final five points to knot the score at 80, apiece. Unfortunately, Johnson lost his touch in overtime and went with it the hawks' chances of stealing the game.</p>
<p>Despite the valiant effort by the Hawks, the Celtics proved to be too much and Game 3 inevitably belonged to them following a 90-84 final after a five-minute overtime. <span>Rajon Rondo</span> played a pivotal role in the Boston win, registering a triple-double (17 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists) and scoring five of the Celtics' final ten points.</p>
<p>Surprisingly, Rondo's most important play probably came on a missed lay-up that set up a demonstrative slam-dunk finish by <span>Kevin Garnett</span> that gave Boston a four-point lead with 28.1 seconds remaining. Garnett finished the night with 20 points and 13 rebounds in 42 minutes played. In addition to Rondo and Garnett, <span>Paul Pierce</span> finished the night with 21 points and was a perfect 14-of-14 from the free throw line. </p>
<p>The Hawks will look to bounce back on Sunday night when the team will look to even the series at two.</p>
<p><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on the Hawks-Celtics playoff series check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://peachtreehoops.com/">Peachtree Hoops</a> and <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.celticsblog.com/">CelticsBlog</a>. For more news and notes regarding the NBA Playoffs head over to <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://sbnation.com/nba">SB Nation's NBA Basketball page</a>.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-hawks/2012/5/4/3000226/hawks-vs-celtics-game-3-final-overtime-stats-scores-updatesMatt Brigidi2012-05-04T21:43:37-04:002012-05-04T21:43:37-04:00Braves Vs. Rockies Score Update: Atlanta Gets Smacked Around In First, Battles Back In Third
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<p>For those of you watching <a href="http://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-hawks/2012/4/26/2979410/2012-nba-playoffs-full-schedule-hawks-celtics">Game 3 of the NBA playoffs</a> between the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics, well, you might want to keep doing that. Following the first inning in game one of a three-game weekend set between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a>, it appears as though the Braves are in for a long night.</p>
<p>In the bottom of the first, the Rockies exploded for five runs on four hits against <span>Tim Hudson</span>. Jonathon Herrera opened the hit parade with a double, which was followed up by back-to-back walks to <span>Carlos Gonzalez</span> and <span>Troy Tulowitzki</span>. <span>Todd Helton</span> opened the scoring with an RBI double that brought in both Herrera and Gonzalez. <span>Michael Cuddyer</span> then knocked in Tulowitzki with a single, before <span>Dexter Fowler</span> cleared the bases with an RBI single. Hudson finally got out of the inning when he struck out the pitcher <span>Guillermo Moscoso</span>.</p>
<p>Despite being behind, the Braves battled back in the third when <span>Freddie Freeman</span> hit a two-run homerun.</p>
<p>Heading into the bottom of the third, the Rockies lead by a score of 5-2.</p>
<p><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on the Braves, check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://talkingchop.com/">Talking Chop</a>. Rockies fans should check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://purplerow.com/">Purple Row</a>. And for all things baseball related, <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a> is the place for you.</i></p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/5/4/3000158/braves-vs-rockies-score-update-info-scores-stats-infoMatt Brigidi2012-05-04T21:15:20-04:002012-05-04T21:15:20-04:00Tracy McGrady Injury Update: McGrady Sprains Ankle But Will Return, According To Reports
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<p>In the final minutes of the first half of Game 3 between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a>, Hawks' forward <span>Tracy McGrady</span> appeared to tweak his right ankle while landing awkwardly after a three-point shot attempt and crumbled to the floor, needing help to get to the locker room to receive medical attention. </p>
<p>Prior to the start of the third quarter, Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that McGrady had sprained his ankle on the play, but also stated that he would return to play in the game.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Tracy McGrady has sprained ankle. He will return to the game. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Hawks">#Hawks</a></p>
— Michael Cunningham (@ajchawks) <a data-datetime="2012-05-05T01:03:34+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/ajchawks/status/198578651820863488">May 5, 2012</a>
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<p>McGrady had seemingly found a time machine prior to the second quarter of Game 3. The 32-year old vet exploded for 10 points in the second quarter alone, in addition to pulling down six boards and registering one assist in 16:43 of playing time. </p>
<p>Not to mention this pretty play:</p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1100335/Tracy_McGrady_Owning_it.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Tracy_mcgrady_owning_it_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1100335/Tracy_McGrady_Owning_it_medium.gif"></a></p>
<p><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on the Hawks-Celtics playoff series check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://peachtreehoops.com/">Peachtree Hoops</a> and<a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.celticsblog.com/">CelticsBlog</a>. For more news and notes regarding the NBA Playoffs head over to <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://sbnation.com/nba">SB Nation's NBA Basketball page</a>.</i></p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-hawks/2012/5/4/3000128/tracy-mcgrady-injury-update-atlanta-hawks-game-3Matt Brigidi2012-05-04T20:59:57-04:002012-05-04T20:59:57-04:00Hawks Vs. Celtics, Game 3 Update: Boston Leads After First Half, 40-38
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<p>Following the first half of Game 3 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a>, the Celtics carry a 40-38 lead into halftime. With defense once again setting the stage, the Celtics managed to put up some points late to pull ahead before the end of the second. </p>
<p>The story of the half had to be <span>Tracy McGrady</span>, who put up 10 of the Hawks 19 second quarter points. Shooting 5-of-9 from the field, pulling down six boards and dishing one assist, McGrady played a total of 16:43 before seemingly tweaking his angle late in the stanza. It is still unknown as to the extent of the injury or if he will return. </p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1100335/Tracy_McGrady_Owning_it.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Tracy_mcgrady_owning_it_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1100335/Tracy_McGrady_Owning_it_medium.gif"></a> <br id="1336179579014"></p>
<p>Despite ending the half ahead, the Celtics did not play their best basketball and were lucky to escape with the lead. Atlanta's <span>Joe Johnson</span> led all scorers with 12 points, while <span>Paul Pierce</span> and McGrady both scored 10. </p>
<p>Check back for updates as well as a recap once the score goes final. </p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on the Hawks-Celtics playoff series check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://peachtreehoops.com/">Peachtree Hoops</a> and <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.celticsblog.com/">CelticsBlog</a>. For more news and notes regarding the NBA Playoffs head over to <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://sbnation.com/nba">SB Nation's NBA Basketball page</a>.</i></p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-hawks/2012/5/4/3000107/hawks-vs-celtics-game-3-update-boston-leads-after-first-half-40-38Matt Brigidi2012-05-04T20:38:10-04:002012-05-04T20:38:10-04:00Chipper Jones' Knee Feels Fine, Excited To Bat Second Friday Against Rockies
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<p>A day after the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> wrapped up a three-game set against the Philadelphia Philles, the team traveled to Colorado to take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> for the first time this season. However, it won't be the only first of the season for the club; for the first time all year, <span>Chipper Jones</span> will be playing the day after a long plane ride. </p>
<p>After having surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee on March 26, Jones has experienced discomfort and swelling in his knee after plane rides, which has forced the 40-year old vet to miss games. On Friday, Jones experienced only minimal swelling and was feeling increasingly better than previous times after a day of travel, which he attributes to his rehab and strength program. </p>
<p>In addition, Jones is excited about the prospects of batting in the two-hole after batting in the sixth position for the majority of the season. <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/05/04/chippers-knee-holds-up-hes-batting-second/">Via the Atlanta Journal Constitution's website</a>:</p>
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<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial;">"I got kind of misty – get to hit in the first inning," Jones said of seeing his name in the second spot in the lineup. "Forgot what that feels like."<p></p></span></p>
<p> </p>
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<p>Jones isn't the only one happy to see his name in the lineup card tonight; the Braves are 11-2 when he starts and 4-9 when he is out of the lineup. </p>
<p><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on the Braves, check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://talkingchop.com/" target="_blank">Talking Chop</a>. Rockies fans should check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://purplerow.com/" target="_blank">Purple Row</a>. And for all things baseball related, <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #002c66; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/" target="_blank">Baseball Nation</a> is the place for you.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2012/5/4/3000066/chipper-jones-knee-lineup-stats-updates-healthMatt Brigidi