Inside The Celtics

Celtics and Hawks at Full Strength for Friday's Matchup

The Celtics are in eighth in the East and hold a two-game lead over the Hawks, who enter Friday's matchup on a five-game win streak.

Bobby Krivitsky

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

In a rare occurrence this season, Friday's matchup between the Celtics and Hawks will feature two teams at full strength. While Atlanta has no injuries or absences to report, the only players out for Boston are P.J. Dozier, who's recovering from a torn ACL, and Bol Bol, who underwent surgery on his right foot before the Celtics acquired him.

Speaking with the media after practice on Wednesday, Ime Udoka said Bol has been with the team the past few days to get him acclimated to the group and start learning the schemes the Celtics will ask him to execute if he returns this season.

"He’s been around the group for a few days now, and we’re just getting him up to speed with what we do and how we do things. And so just good to have him around the group.”

Udoka said there's no timeline for Bol's return, something that might not happen this season. Last Thursday, in his weekly appearance on Toucher & Rich on 98.5 The Sports Hub, Brad Stevens said Bol is out for "10-12 weeks," meaning there's a chance he suits up for the Celtics near the end of the current campaign.

Bol is a restricted free agent this offseason, making it easier for Boston to re-sign him. Stevens described that component of acquiring the seven-foot-two center as "a big part of it."

With Bol and Dozier the only players unavailable for Friday's matchup in Atlanta, the Celtics get to see their starting lineup share the floor for only the 15th time this season.

So far, when Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, and Robert Williams play together, the results are overwhelmingly positive. According to NBA.com, in 174 minutes, that unit's producing 113.2 points per 100 possessions, has a 91.3 defensive rating, and a 21.9 net rating.

That group will need to continue performing at a high level for the Celtics to beat a Hawks team that's won five games in a row and is trying to claw their way into the play-in tournament. Atlanta is on the outside looking in at the postseason picture, but with the standings congested, reside only 2.5 games back of Boston, who's in eighth in the East.

The Celtics and Hawks tip-off at 7:30 EST. Inside The Celtics will have content related to the game coming out before, during, and after. And follow @BobbyKrivitsky on Twitter for updates and analysis from pregame to post.

Further Reading

The Latest Intel on Marcus Smart and Al Horford as Trade Deadline Approaches

What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. Kings: Bos Quickly Puts Sac in

Celtics Musings: Al Horford's Shot Selection, Rotation Tweaks, Talent vs. Record

Report Links Celtics to Jerami Grant

Should Jaylen Brown be the Celtics' Closer?

Trade Options for a Celtics Team in Need of Shooters

Celtics' Trade Options Part II: Facilitators

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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