(Sports Network) - When that Celtics' Rajon Rondo built a excellent steal in the waning moments on Tuesday throughout Atlanta, you didn't guide however think associated with Johnny Most's iconic call, "Havlicek stole the actual ball."
Rondo's attempt appeared as if it turned out going to end up being only today's feeting terrific second inside Boston's storied historical past until your dog fumbled the idea away as well as the Hawks definitely avoided removal by succeeding a good 87-86 thriller throughout Game a few of this Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
With the actual Celtics decrease by one, Rondo swiped Josh Smith's inbounds move plus forced that basketball up the court, dribbling into your still left corner. Smith as well as Al Horford changed preserving responsibilities, and also Horford disrupted Rondo's dribble as moment hurt down.
By the time the actual strong level shield recovered plus threw that will Kevin Garnett for the prime in the key, Smith tipped this basketball aside as the buzzer sounded, tugging that Hawks within 3-2 of an series of which continues for dinner back Boston.
"The whole thing appeared to be that will force for you to move the ball. I swarmed your ex around I could, and Josh made a fantastic tip," recalled Horford with the remaining play.
"I detest this the sport was concluded began seeing that it ended," Celtics guru Doc Rivers included following your Hawks hung on. "I thought this Rondo willed individuals back in to the game. He really did."
Horford as well as Smith both equally shook off of injuries and created double-doubles to help keep Atlanta's time alive. Horford, fighting via a still-bothersome pectoral personal injury that will brought about him or her to help overlook most of the regular season, totaled 19 details and 11 rebounds, though Smith damaged in 13 and also 16 inspite of working with a uncomfortable knee.
It has been Smith's inbounds move however, that will just about threw away an opportunity to close off the gain by using 10.9 seconds remaining.
"My soul was bike racing a new hundred miles 1 hour about the final sequence," Hawks trainer Larry Drew said. "We don't come up with a smart engage in inbounding the ball, but I'm lucky (Smith) have a good mind on the third play for you to raise on Rondo."
Jeff Teague donated of sixteen details in Game five for your Hawks, who seem to got 15 tips apiece from Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams.
The Celtics been given 16 tips apiece through Garnett and a hobbled Paul Pierce, furthermore limited on account of some sort of knee injury. Ray Allen put in 15 points, and also Rondo finished along with 13 tips and 12 supports in defeat.
"I couldn't for instance our execution affordable this stretch," Rivers said. "We did a couple of elements we must not have done, but total I only considered played out harder. They played better."
The Celtics released early Thursday this Pierce features a sprained MCL within their eventually left knee although when called he'll often be on the market to play. The company likewise explained that will starting a couple defend Avery Bradley has become participating in using a aching rotation cuff around his left shoulder. He also is supposed to start out and perform around Game 6 tonight.
"It's a bit sore," Bradley mentioned after Thursday's shootaround. "It's something I've recently been working with almost all season."
In the particular playoffs, that rivalry days right returning to that 1956-57 season if your Hawks named St. Louis home. Since switching to the Peach State around 1968, however, your Hawks include in no way beaten the particular Celtics inside postseason, burning off half a dozen direct series (1972, '73, '83, '86, '88 and 2008.)
Boston likewise earned a couple of regarding several with the Hawks inside the regular season, such as the lone tournament from TD Garden.
Game 7, when necessary, is actually slated with regard to Saturday back Atlanta.
05/10 13:15:50 ET
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