Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scoreboard - Live Odds - Sporting Events - Live Lines

O&N HOME | NFL MLB NBA NHL NCAAF NCAABk Nascar Golf Soccer Tennis Boxing Horse Racing All Sports

Celtics cruise past Hawks to go up 2-0

Wed 23rd, April 2008

Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Kevin Garnett recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds, as the Boston Celtics cruised past the overmatched Atlanta Hawks, 96-77, to take a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.

Ray Allen hit three three-pointers en route to 15 points, as Boston used a balanced attack in its second consecutive drubbing. Paul Pierce battled through a lower back strain to log 14 points, and Rajon Rondo continued to improve with each passing game, depositing 12 points while dishing out eight assists and grabbing six boards.

Game 3 of the series is scheduled for Saturday at Atlanta's Philips Arena.

Atlanta's starters again struggled from the field, as Josh Smith and Marvin Williams each tallied a team-high 13 points, but combined to shoot 6-for-22 from the floor. Acie Law came off the bench to net 12 points, and Mike Bibby recorded 12 of his own.

Rookie Al Horford finished with nine points and nine boards before fouling out.

The Celtics were poised to run away with a two-game series lead in the first quarter, rattling off 11 straight points capped by an Allen three-pointer to build a 20-9 lead. However, the Hawks hung tough and Zaza Pachulia converted a three-point play on Atlanta's last possession to trail just 24-20 at the end of one.

Allen was the catalyst behind another Boston run in the second, as his steal led to a Pierce three-pointer in transition. Allen followed a possession later with a hit from behind the arc to give Boston its biggest lead at that point, 43-31. Boston would go on to lead, 52-42, at the break.

Pierce opened the second half with a three-pointer and Boston stepped on the gas from there. Rondo threw an alley-oop to Garnett at the 9 1/2 minute mark and Atlanta would get no closer than 13 points the rest of the way.

The Celtics defense held Atlanta scoreless for over three minutes in the third, and the Celtics used good ball movement to jump ahead, 76-58 with the final 12 minutes to play.

While Boston looked uncharacteristically stale at times on the offensive end, its defensive prowess proved to be too much for Atlanta. The Hawks managed to make their to the free throw line occasionally, but the squad did not connect on a field goal for over eight minutes in the final stanza.

"We are not trying to give them any easy baskets," Garnett said of the Celtics' never-quit defense. "This team (Atlanta) is athletic. We have to cut these easy baskets down. We have a no-basket policy. We're not trying to hurt anybody. We're just trying to defend the paint here."

To add insult to injury, Garnett, who hadn't hit a three-pointer in 11 attempts all season, drilled one from long range with 3:56 to play and the Celtics' 93-72 lead would not be compromised.

"We've got to go back, break this tape down, and try to prepare for Saturday (on Thursday) and Friday," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "And mainly on the offensive end because they're having their way defensively I think in terms of how we move offensively and share the basketball."

Game Notes

Atlanta has lost seven of its last nine Game 2s in the playoffs, while the Celtics had dropped four straight Game 2s prior to Wednesday's matchup ...The Hawks' last playoff victory was on May 16, 1999 when they defeated Detroit in Game 5 of the first round of the postseason...Sam Cassell scored 10 points -- eight in the second quarter -- for Boston...Joe Johnson finished with 11 points for Atlanta...Atlanta was 0-for-5 from three-point range, while Boston hit 7-of-18...Boston committed 12 turnovers to Atlanta's 21, and the Celtics owned a 45-35 rebounding edge...Pierce got treatment for his back following the game and should be ready for Game 3.

Where the players come to play and STAY.