Celtics, 96-77 (final)
With the Celtics up big in the fourth quarter and Hawks point guard Mike Bibby on the bench, Celtics fans chanted, “Where is Bibby?” to taunt the brash veteran.
They had a point.
Bibby was bold before the game in calling out Celtics fans and center Kendrick Perkins, but Atlanta’s point guard has not run the offense well so far this series. The Hawks had 22 turnovers and 10 assists in Game 2. In contrast, the Celtics had 23 assists and 14 turnovers. Bibby had 12 points and 1 assist tonight.
Despite the shenanigans between games, the Celtics did what they did all year long, professionally and systematically beating the Hawks 96-77 tonight at the Garden, giving Boston a 2-0 lead as the series shifts to Atlanta.
Five Celtics players (Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, and Sam Cassell) scored in double-figures for the Celtics.
Cassell and James Posey provided key contributions off the bench for the Celtics. Cassell had eight points in the second quarter to spark the offense, while Posey came in for Pierce in the first quarter and added 9 points and 5 rebounds.
Josh Smith led Atlanta with 13 points and 8 rebounds.
The only worry Celtics fans might have concerns a lower-back injury sustained by Paul Pierce. Pierce left the game early in the first quarter after a hard foul by Joe Johnson, and after receiving treatment in the locker room, he returned in the third quarter. He did not appear hampered by the injury in the second half, finishing with 14 points in 28 minutes.
Game 3 between the Celtics and Hawks is Saturday night in Atlanta.
We’ll have postgame reaction from both teams in a bit.
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