Pachulia out for Game 1, Collins starts for Hawks

By PAUL NEWBERRY

ATLANTA (AP) Atlanta Hawks center Zaza Pachulia won't play in Game 1 of the NBA playoff series against the Boston Celtics.

Coach Larry Drew announced before Sunday's contest that third-stringer Jason Collins will start at center, sticking with the lineup that went 5-1 after Pachulia sprained his left foot on April 13.

Drew says Pachulia's foot is getting better and it will be a game-to-game decision on whether he plays in the series. The Hawks already have played most of the season without top center Al Horford, who is recovering from pectoral surgery.

Marvin Williams will continue to come off the bench for the Hawks. The 7-foot Collins isn't much of an offensive threat, averaging 1.3 points, but Drew is counting on the 10-year veteran to provide a defensive presence.

Updated April 29, 2012