Apr 30, 2008 11:29 PM EST
The Boston Celtics notched a pivotal Game Five victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night, 110-85, thanks to a very solid performance in the first half.
Paul Pierce led with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and Rajon Rondo tallied 12 points and 7 dimes in the win for Boston, who hit 53% of their shots and outrebounded Atlanta by eleven at home.
Joe Johnson starred for the Hawks with 21 points, while rookie Al Horford added 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in the defeat.
Atlanta shot just 40% from the floor and turned the ball over four more times than Boston.
Kevin Garnett and Johnson were whistled for technical fouls late in the third quarter for jawing at one another following a questionable foul that was called on Pierce.
Things started to get intense towards the end of the second quarter when Horford flagrantly fouled Garnett.
Josh Smith received a technical foul in the final minutes of the loss, and coach Mike Woodson promptly removed his stars to avoid the risk of injury or suspension.
Game Six will be held in Atlanta on Friday night as the Celtics look to move on into the second round.
Via Andrew Perna/RealGM
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Sonics rookie Kevin Durant will be named the league's Rookie of the Year on Thursday, beating out Hawks' rookie Al Horford for the honor, Percy Allen of the Seattle Times is reporting.
The source which revealed the information did so anonymously since the official announcement is not expected to come until Thursday.
Durant led all rookies in scoring, assists and free-throw percentage, and will become the first Sonic to receive the honor.
RealGM Note: Horford had a higher season FIC than Durant (882 to 763) and a higher per 40 FIC (13.9 to 11.0).
Via Seattle Times
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Apr 29, 2008 11:52 PM EST
NBA spokesman Tim Frank has said there would be no fines or suspensions for a Game 4 altercation that resulted in double technicals to both the Celtics and the Hawks, the Associated Press is reporting.
"The game's emotional for everyone," Celtics' Coach Doc Rivers said after the team's workout but before the league's decision was announced. "It's easy to say, 'Just step away.' We, as a team, have to stop putting the league in a position where they have to make a decision. That's on us; that's not on the league."
Kevin Garnett was particularly lucky to escape reprimand, after pushing referee Ed Rush when he tried to make peace between Garnett and Hawk Zaza Pachulia.
"The referee grabbed me," Garnett said.
Via ESPN
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Hawks Apr 2008 Archive
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Apr 29, 2008
Boston's Kevin Garnett could be suspended for Game Five against the Hawks if it is determined that he threw an elbow at referee Eddie F. Rush.
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Andrew Perna/RealGM | Apr 28, 2008
The Atlanta Hawks stunned the Boston Celtics on Monday night, winning Game Four 97-92 to tie their best-of-seven series at two games apiece.
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Apr 28, 2008
Hawks' guard/forward Joe Johnson said on Monday that he thinks the Celtics quit in the fourth quarter of Game Three.
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Andrew Perna/RealGM | Apr 26, 2008
The Atlanta Hawks notched an impressive victory over the Boston Celtics on Saturday night in Game Three of their best-of-seven series.
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USA Today | Apr 25, 2008
Paul Pierce was able to practice without restriction on Friday and will play in game 3 of the Celtics' opening round of the playoffs against Atlanta.
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The Boston Herald | Apr 24, 2008
Mike Bibby of the Hawks reportedly planned to insult as many Celtics' fans as he could with his "bandwagon jumpers" comment on Tuesday.
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Andrew Perna/RealGM | Apr 23, 2008
The Boston Celtics easily defeated the Atlanta Hawks 96-77 on Wednesday night to take a 2-0 series lead.
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Apr 22, 2008
Mike Bibby may have lit a fire under the Celtics after calling Boston fans 'bandwagon jumpers'.
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Andrew Perna/RealGM | Apr 20, 2008
The Boston Celtics walked away with an easy Game One victory over the visiting Atlanta Hawks 104-81 on Sunday night.
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Sports Illustrated | Apr 18, 2008
Celtics' forward Kevin Garnett missed his second straight practice for family reasons ahead of Boston's opening round matchup with the Atlanta Hawks.
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ESPN | Apr 15, 2008
Hawks' Coach Mike Woodson plans to shave his head before his team takes the court in their first playoff venture since 1999.
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Andrew Perna/RealGM | Apr 15, 2008
The Hawks and Nuggets were idle on Monday night but backed into the playoffs as the Pacers and Warriors stumbled. Read about this and more in the RGM Daily Rundown for April 14th's games.
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Andrew Perna/RealGM | Apr 14, 2008
The Pacers lost a must-win game to the Wizards on Monday night, eliminating them from playoff contention and giving the eighth seed to the Hawks.
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Andrew Perna/RealGM | Apr 13, 2008
The Hawks lost to the Celtics on Saturday night, but they maintained their two-game lead over the Pacers for the final playoff spot in the East because of an Indiana loss to Charlotte.
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Andrew Perna/RealGM | Apr 12, 2008
The Pacers did what they had to do in order to improve their playoff chances on Friday night against the 76ers, but Atlanta's victory over New York kept the Hawks' lead at two games for the East's final spot.
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RealGM Staff Report | Apr 7, 2008
The Hawks have launched www.al4roy.com, where fans and media can keep up with all the latest highlights, interviews, photos, and statistics of Rookie of the Year candidate Al Horford.
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Philadelphia Daily News | Apr 7, 2008
Josh Smith, a restricted free agent on July 1st, has been frequently mentioned as a player who will interest the Sixers.
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Toronto Star | Apr 5, 2008
The Raptors have decided not to officially appeal the result of the game between Toronto and Atlanta where a layup at the buzzer by T.J. Ford was waived off.
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Apr 4, 2008
Al Horford claims that he tipped the ball before T.J. Ford attempted a game-winning layup on Wednesday night.
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Globe And Mail | Apr 4, 2008
The Toronto Raptors are still considering filing an official protest regarding how they lost to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Apr 3, 2008
For the second time this season the Hawks expect to have a victory protested.
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RealGM Staff Report | Apr 1, 2008
The Hawks' Joe Johnson and the Hornets' Chris Paul were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month for March on Tuesday.
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RealGM Staff Report | Apr 1, 2008
The Hawks' Al Horford and the SuperSonics' Kevin Durant were named the Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month for March.
