Celtics Drop Playoff Opener in Atlanta
Monday, April 30, 2012
No Ray Allen doesn't necessarily mean that the Boston Celtics will lose their 1st-round NBA playoff series to Atlanta.
But losing Rajon Rondo just might be an obstacle they can't overcome, as the Celtics fell on the road 83-74.
Without the services of Allen, still plagued by his sore right ankle and not suited up for Sunday night's playoff opener, the Celtics found themselves in a big hole early to the Hawks. But after falling behind by as much as 19 in the second half, the Celtics surged back within four points and under a minute to play. On a close judgment call by the official with players battling for a loose ball, the Celtics were whistled for a foul - much to the displeasure of Rondo. After receiving a technical foul with :41 seconds to play, Rondo bumped referee Marc Davis and was immediately ejected - whether the bump was intentional or not. Boston could not overcome the deficit from there, and went on to lose game one.
NBA rules call for at least a one-game suspension if any kind of contact is made by a player with an official. The controversial call, and bump from Rondo, will undoubtedly receive a review by the league office. Rondo was suspended for two games earlier this season for throwing a ball at a game official.
Behind the early hot hands from Josh Smith, Kirk Hinrich and Jeff Teague, Atlanta led 31-18 after the first quarter, and by 49-35 at the half. The lead grew to 19 late in the first half, and again to 19 in the 3rd quarter, before Boston buckled down defensively and began a slow crawl back. It seemed, however, that every time the Celtics needed a big shot to fall, they couldn't find the range. In the meantime, Atlanta continued to get big shots from Smith and Teague in the 4th quarter to lead by eight with 3:05 to play. That's when the Celtics put on their last-minute push, only to be pushed back by an official's call (Brandon Bass loose ball foul that Rondo protested), and Rondo's subsequent outburst.
Smith led Atlanta with 22 points and 18 rebounds, and Teague finished with 15 points. Rondo and Kevin Garnett each had 20 for the Celtics, and both had double-doubles (Garnett 12 rebounds, Rondo 11 assists). However, Boston was 0-for-11 from three-point range for the game and shot 39% overall, while Atlanta was 7-for-20 from three (35%), and shot 41% overall. The Celtics were also outrebounded 50-41, and missed several easy opportunities off of the backboards due to a general lack of communication on the defensive end.
Game Two of the series will be Tuesday night in Atlanta. The series will move to Boston for Games Three and Four on Friday and Sunday.
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