May

4

Boston Finally Wakes Up Beat Down Hawks In Game Seven 99-65

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA PLAYOFFS 

So, do you think the Boston Celtics may have felt a little, embarrassed, humiliated, and ticked off when they hit the parquet floor at the “New Garden” Sunday afternoon to take on the Atlanta Hawks in game seven of their first round series? Just a bit, I would say after they went on a search and destroy mission, killing any last vestiges of hope that Atlanta had very early in the game. Paul Pierce scored a team high 22 points, and Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins both recorded double-doubles, as the Celtics slammed the Hawks 99-65.? Boston who should have won this series in five games finally awoke from the catatonic state they had been in, and took what they always assumed would be theirs.

The Green Team showed they were kicking butts, and taking names in the first quarter as they pulled out to a 27-16 lead at the end of the period. The game totally started slipping out of the Hawks grasp in the second quarter, as the Celtics went into the locker room with a 44-26 advantage at the half. But if there was any doubt left in the minds of any observers, it was erased in the third quarter, as Boston was ahead at the end of the period 79-43. Needless? to say the fourth?quarter was extended garbage time.

Paul Pierce was the game’s?leading scorer with 22 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, in the Boston victory. KG scored 18 points, 11 boards, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, Leon Powe came off the bench and scored 12 points, 4 rebounds. Kendrick Perkins scored 10 points, 10 rebounds, and a game high 5 blocked shots, Rajon Rondo scored 10 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal.

Joe Johnson led Atlanta with 16 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist. The only other Hawks player? in double figures was Salim Stoudamire, who came off the pine and scored 10 points. The Hawks were held to a pitiful 29.3% (24-82) from the floor for the game.

Boston will host the defending Eastern Conference Champions, the Cleveland Cavaliers in their second round series. The Cavaliers defeated the Washington Wizards in six games, in their first round series. So what happens next? Well a lot depends on which Boston team shows up starting Tuesday night in game one in Boston. Detroit looked ancient, and exposed against the Sixers, but looked like world beaters in game one against the Magic. The Celtics will face the best player in the NBA in LeBron James, the question is what does?his supporting cast do? Boston does?have one?distinct advantage over Cleveland, they know Delonte West inside and out. West however is looking at a totally different Celtics team than he played for. Cleveland defeated Boston twice in the regular season, but that was the Drew Gooden/Larry Hughes Cavaliers that accomplished that. This is a totally different team. Hold on to your arm rests, it all starts Tuesday night in Boston.?

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