Schroder: Nothing will go down with Thomas as long as he doesn't slap me

Game 3 of the opening-round matchup between the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks in last year's playoffs will best be remembered for the slap All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas gave to Dennis Schroder, who retaliated by knocking him down with a hard pick.

Friday marks the first time the two teams will play each other since Atlanta took their series in six games. Schroder doesn't feel as though something similar will happen this time - as long as Thomas keeps his hands to himself.

"If he don't slap me, nothing is going to happen," Schroder said Friday morning, according to AJC.com's Chris Vivlamore. "If we keep it competitive, just fighting for balls, then nothing is going to happen. Then both of us will try to win the game. That's fine but slapping or something else is not OK with me.

"I didn't think he would do that at first. But you never know. I'm not saying that he is a bad player because of that. Tonight is a big one for us, the Hawks, and the team is bigger than anything else."

Both guards were assessed technical fouls following Schroder's shoulder tackle, with Thomas also avoiding a suspension or fine from the league afterward for his slap.