Plenty at stake for Hawks against Celtics

3. With four games remaining in the regular season, the Hawks need to carry the momentum of a 22-point win over the Raptors and a 32-point win over the Pistons in their past two outings into the postseason.

Sure, every game is important, but some are more important than others. This would be one.

“We are in a position where we can go out and make a statement,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said. “A game against Boston, what better game to show that our last couple games have not been flukes?”

The Celtics (37-26) are seeded fourth in the NBA’s Eastern Conference after clinching the Atlantic Division title Wednesday. The Hawks (36-25) are seeded fifth, but are a half-game better. The team with the best record will host the series regardless of seed.

The Hawks could move up to the third seed, but it’s a long shot. The Pacers hold a three-game lead for that spot with four to play.

“We are still trying to play for something,” Hawks leading scorer Josh Smith said.

There is the mental aspect the Hawks face in trying to get past the Celtics, who have won four of the past five games against the Hawks, dating to last season. The Celtics won 79-76 on March 19 and 88-86 in overtime April 11.

“There are plays within those games that were crucial plays, plays that I do think that we can control,” Drew said. “We take away some miscues, some missed assignments and make some free throws we’d be looking at a different scenario. We are going to have to learn, particularly against a team like Boston, how to start and finish games because the margin for error against a team like that is very small.”

The Celtics are 22-9 since the All-Star break. They have moved Kevin Garnett to center in a lineup change that might not agree with the player, but certainly agrees with the team. Garnett scored 22 points in last week’s overtime win over the Hawks, and he could be a factor again as the Hawks are down three centers in Al Horford (out, pectoral muscle), Zaza Pachulia (day-to-day, foot) and Erick Dampier (day-to-day, calf). Pachulia did not practice Thursday, but worked on the side with trainers. Dampier underwent treatment.

“We are going to have to improvise,” Drew said. “We have to try to look at the best matchup we possibly can, knowing that there might be some give-and-take because we are thin at [center] right now.”

The Celtics will not be at full strength either. According to reports, Rajon Rondo (back), Ray Allen (ankle) and Mickael Pietrus (knee) did not make the trip to Atlanta.

The Hawks insist a loss to the Celtics won’t be the end of the world. They are more concerned with carrying forward the momentum built over the past two games — which came after an ugly 16-point loss at home to the Raptors.

“More importantly, it is a big game for us and it gives us an opportunity. The last few ballgames our team has done very well start to finish, and I’d like to see us continue that rhythm regardless who we play,” Drew said.

Rebounding will be a key statistic for the Hawks in keeping their momentum. The Celtics rank last in the NBA in rebounding, averaging 38.97 per game. They are 28th in rebound differential, giving up 4.16 more per game than their opponent. However, in the overtime victory the Celtics out-rebounded the Hawks 56-39 — and that was with a healthy Pachulia.

The Hawks have had halftime leads in both games this season. Rebounding and shot selection may decide Friday’s outcome if the game is in the balance late.

“We have to play a little smarter down the stretch,” Smith said. “We’ve had an opportunity to beat that team both times we played them and had two disappointing losses. [On Friday] we have to take care of the ball and control our own destiny down the stretch of the game.”