Eastern Conference Semifinals - 80 To Advance In East - Sports

BOSTON (AP) Doc Rivers knew presently there can be no relaxation for the growing older Boston Celtics.

The just concern appeared to be whether they might be in Atlanta enjoying Game 7 associated with the primary around or in your own home opening the particular Eastern Conference semifinals towards Philadelphia.

''At smallest most people aren't required to travel,'' Rivers mentioned Thursday nighttime following Celtics defeat the actual Hawks 83-80 for you to win the string around six games. ''It's a short turnaround, but I'd quite be proceeding for you to Game 1 these in comparison with Game 7 around Atlanta.''

The Celtics will open up that Eastern Conference semifinals about Saturday with Boston contrary to the 76ers, exactly who taken out East No. one particular seed Chicago in half a dozen games with a 79-78 victory before Thursday. The Sixers were 2-1 versus Boston this particular season, like a 32-point wining around Philadelphia on March 7.

''We've became lots of gazelles returning with here,'' Rivers said. ''They simply defeat us through 1,000 tips around a couple of involving each of our a few games.''

Kevin Garnett scored 28 tips with 14 rebounds, punishing this go-ahead basket using thirty-one mere seconds left to support your Celtics eliminate that Hawks. Afterward, Garnett called out and about Hawks co-owner Michael Gearon Jr., which seemed to be offered because of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution while saying: ''They are old. I know what happens when everyone play basketball, old guys foul. Garnett is a dirtiest gentleman with the particular league.''

Garnett told the pollsters on the court, topping their regular-season high regarding 25 points and adding several hindrances in addition to three steals.

Then he told the pollster away it.

''Thank you to their operator for supplying me personally nowadays gas tonight,'' Garnett said. ''My exclusively information to him will be next time period they starts advertising their mouth to learn exactly what they've talking about having X's and O's vs. checkbooks and bottom lines.''

Paul Pierce have 18 items regardless of using with a sprained medial collateral ligament inside his kept knee, as well as Rajon Rondo experienced 14 things plus actions assists.

Josh Smith have 19 points as well as eleven rebounds for Atlanta, which usually did not advance inside playoffs for any newbie inside some years. Joe Johnson had 17 points, Marvin Williams added sixteen plus eight rebounds, and Al Horford had 15 tips along with seven rebounds.

But Horford missed the initial regarding two foul game having 2.3 minutes remaining after he or she seemed to be taken up by simply Marquis Daniels in order to avoid a fairly easy dunk that would have linked the game. After he or she manufactured the particular second, the Celtics acquired your basketball to help Pierce, that seemed to be fouled in addition to built both free of charge throws.

Boston has received one or more playoff sequence each year since the brand new Big three was assembled while in the summertime involving 2007.

''The something in regards to the Celtics is actually individuals males learn how to help win,'' Williams said. ''After succeeding (Game 5) decrease with Atlanta with our backs against the wall, most people knew it turned out planning to possibly be tough approaching in place here. I thought many of us would a fantastic employment adding our-self in place to win down the particular stretch.''

The Boston group to be able to break open in to a cheer nearby the finish of the third one fourth if the ultimate have fun with with the Sixers-Bulls activity was established within the scoreboard. Even your Celtics competitors were checking the idea out. Instead associated with to manage Chicago on the road - actually devoid of harmed super star Derrick Rose - Boston will have home-court advantage alongside eighth-seeded Philadelphia.

The Hawks went 5 various units not having scoring first from the last fraction because Celtics switched a two-point adventure in to a 74-65 lead. But Atlanta obtained eight belonging to the upcoming 12 points, together with Horford scoring the third three baskets, generating that some sort of one-point activity upon an alley-oop pass from Smith together with 3:52 left.

Smith faked at the top on the major and also gone right down this lane for a dunk that gave Atlanta it has the first guide in the subsequent half, 77-76. Horford drove on the baskets to give that Hawks a three-point lead.

Atlanta still directed 79-78 while Garnett produced a turnaround jumper inside the lane over Smith to put Boston in advance by one. Smith had missed long rainbow jumper along with Ray Allen received the particular come back having 10 moments left, however he / she made solely one of two cost-free throws.

Johnson drove for the holder nonetheless Pierce clogged his result plus Garnett tipped it outside range by using 3.1 seconds left. The Hawks obtained your ball to help Horford inside lane but while he or she went in place with the dunk and also layup, Daniels, that performed just one single minute inside the game, wrapped your ex upwards plus saved the pup from scoring.

The very first strong shot travelled off the rim, costing Atlanta a possibility to tie.

Notes: Pierce hurt this knee in the course of Sunday morning's shootaround and also harmed that again any time your dog tried out to receive around a display screen arranged by simply Smith during Game 4 that will night. . Rivers evolved into only this next train inside Celtics' historical past to history 50 postseason victories, signing up for Red Auerbach (90) and K.C. Jones (65). New England Patriots defensive lineman Vince Wilfork has been for the game. . The Hawks misplaced for the Celtics in the very first rounded from the 2008 playoffs, a collection which journeyed seven games. Boston took that will win its NBA-record 17th championship. . Allen, your NBA's all-time 3-point leader, appeared to be 1 pertaining to 7 out of further than the arc. . The Hawks are generally 1-11 throughout playoff string against Boston. They continue beat the actual Celtics since the St. Louis Hawks to win that 1958 NBA title. . Rondo had a few helps and a couple of baskets by carrying out a 16-0 run from the subsequent quarter. Pierce, who returned from the standard in the centre from the run, acquired personal trainer tips including a take with the span with 4 minutes.