"Shock the World" Hawks Stun Celtics

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Celtics fans can't help tipping caps to Hawks

 

By MATT WINKELJOHN

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 05/03/08

 

The Celtics no more wanted to see famed — if fictional — boxing trainer Mickey Goldmill's rutted face or hear his gravelly voice than they wanted to go back to Boston for any reason other than to play the Wizards.

 

But you don't always get what you want, and the Celtics got a double shot to the gut Friday night that they certainly didn't ask for when the Hawks beat them to force game seven Sunday.

 

Goldmill, the old coot portrayed by late actor Burgess Meredith in the "Rocky" movie, was there for everyone in Philips Arena to see on the big screens with 6:49 left in the game, Atlanta leading 93-89.

 

As a timeout ended, Goldmill, grunted, "What are we waiting for?"

 

And the place went nuts.

 

Then, the Celtics were out-toughed down the stretch.

 

Nevermind that Boston crushed the Hawks in the first three games in TD Banknorth Garden.

 

This is not what the Celtics wanted.

 

"We feel good at home all the time, and that's why we fought all year to have it," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. "But like I said after Game 5, we can't hang our hat on just being at home."

 

Boston reserve forward James Posey said, "For one of the teams, it's going to be the last game. Just expect any and everything. That's the bottom line."

 

No, here's the real line: the Celtics didn't make enough plays, and paid dearly for having All-Star Paul Pierce rendered a towel head.

 

He scored 11 points in the first quarter, as Boston took a 32-20 lead, but he fouled out with 17 points with 4:44 to go.

 

Pierce, who spent the rest of the game with a towel draped over his head, was not happy after picking up a technical foul upon his exit. Joe Johnson's free throw pushed Atlanta's lead to 96-89.

 

Pierce was not available for comment after the game.

 

"We should never get a fourth-quarter technical," Rivers said. "Paul threw his headband, and [referee] Bob [Delaney] explained to me that it's an NBA rule."

 

The tenor of the game changed after the first quarter.

 

Boston outrebounded the Hawks 11-3 in the period, but Atlanta carried the second quarter 13-5 on the boards, and were even in the third and fourth quarters.

 

Boston missed four straight shots on a sequence late in the game, center Kendrick Perkins drawing a foul on the fourth. He made two free throws to pull the Celtics within 97-95 with 1:32 left in the game, but that was about it down the stretch for Boston when it came time to muscle up.

 

When the Hawks came back down, Joe Johnson dribbled hard right, stopped, and Posey went into the air and kept flying — to the right.

 

Then, Johnson leaned back left, went up and made a three-pointer with 1:07 left for a 100-95 lead before Kevin Garnett could close out.

 

"It was one of those things," Posey said of going for the fake. "Shot clock, and he did pick his dribble up and he just stopped, shot-faked and just moved over a little bit and knocked down the shot."

 

Posey's three-pointer drew Boston within 100-98 with 48 seconds left.

 

With 12 seconds left, Ray Allen put up — and missed — a quick three-pointer when Boston trailed 100-98. Johnson rebounded and was fouled, making two free throws for a 102-98 lead with 10.6 to go.

 

"Ray Allen is probably the best shooter in the NBA. But we didn't need the three, and that's what we said coming out of the timeout," Rivers said. "The call was for Ray to come off the pick, no shot, dump it down to Kevin. He was open; the problem was he was one for eight from the three-line."

 

Garnett scored off an inbounds pass with 8.7 seconds left, but Mike Bibby made a free throw with 7.4 seconds left, and the game ended with Boston's Rajon Rondo missing a three-pointer as time expired. The play was supposed to go to Allen or Posey for a three.

 

Rivers was irked that Atlanta went to the line so much, making 36 of 47 free throws to 20 of 25 for Boston.

 

Hey, it happens. When Boston beat the Hawks 118-116 in Game 7 of their 1988 playoff series, the Celtics made 25 free throws to the Hawks' 11 — in Boston.

 

"Give them credit. They didn't act like a young team there at the end," Rivers said. "At the end of the day, guys, 47 free throws to 25 free throws. It's amazing ... that's a tough game to win when you give up that many."