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Celtics attempt to take commanding 3-0 lead over Atlanta

Sat 26th, April 2008

(Sports Network) - The top-seeded Boston Celtics hope to continue their dominance over No. 8 Atlanta in their first-round playoff series, as the teams square off for Game 3 at Philips Arena.

Boston leads the best-of-seven series 2-0. Game 4 is scheduled for Monday in Atlanta.

On Wednesday, Kevin Garnett recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds as the Celtics cruised past the Hawks, 96-77, at TD Banknorth Garden to take a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.

Ray Allen drained three three-pointers and ended with 15 points, as Boston used a balanced attack in its second consecutive drubbing. Paul Pierce battled through a lower back strain to score 14 points, while Rajon Rondo scored 12 points, grabbed six rebounds and handed out eight assists.

Atlanta's starters again struggled from the field, as Josh Smith and Marvin Williams both tallied a team-high 13 points, but combined to shoot just 6- for-22 from the floor. Rookie Acie Law came off the bench and scored 12 points, while Mike Bibby netted 12 in defeat.

Rookie Al Horford finished with nine points and nine boards before fouling out in Game 2's loss.

In the opener, Allen scored 18 points and Garnett notched a double- double with 16 points and 10 rebounds as the Celtics crushed the Hawks, 104-81, at TD Banknorth Garden.

Boston has dropped three straight Game 3s in the playoffs, while the Hawks have lost two in a row and five of their last six Game 3s in the postseason.

The Hawks last playoff victory was on May 16, 1999 when they defeated Detroit in Game 5 of the first round of the postseason. Atlanta eliminated the Pistons, 3-2, and was swept by the New York Knicks, 4-0, in the East semis.

The Celtics captured a playoff berth and the Atlantic Division title for the first time since the 2004-05 season. Boston finished with its highest number of wins (66) since the 1985-86 squad went 67-15 before winning the NBA title. With a 66-16 mark in the regular season, Boston collected 42 more victories than it did last season, when it finished with a dismal 24-58 record. Boston earned the honor with ease thanks to an 8-0 start to the season, and later pushed the mark to 29-3 with a big win over Detroit in early January.

The young and surprising Hawks are back in the playoffs for the first time since the strike-shortened 1998-99 campaign. Atlanta battled all season and fended off both Indiana and New Jersey to finish with its best record in 10 years, as the 1997-98 team went 50-32 before a quick exit from the playoffs.

Boston is 5-0 all-time in the playoffs against the Hawks. The Celtics defeated Atlanta in the postseason in 1972, 1973, 1983, 1986 and 1988.

During the regular season, Boston was 3-0 against the Hawks as it won a pair of games at home and defeated Atlanta, 99-89, on April 12 at Philips Arena.

Where the players come to play and STAY.