Atlanta 93, Boston 85

[recap] [box score]


For whatever reason, the Celtics completely disappeared in the third quarter of this game, and it cost them. After a solid first half, after which Boston held a 45-39 lead, the team just didn't show up for the next 11 minutes. A late 7-0 run to end the third cut what had by that time become a 15 point-lead to eight at the end of the quarter, and Boston (perhaps sparked by a very hard foul on Paul Pierce by Zaza Pachulia) eventually cut the lead to two, but the terrible third quarter proved a little too much to overcome.

Although the Cs gave up 29 points in the third, it was on the offensive end where they really struggled. Rajon Rondo, while he orchestrated the offense fairly well all evening (ten assists), completely stopped attacking. With Pierce unable to get going until the fourth, Boston kept feeding Rasheed Wallace, who finished 5-for-15 from the floor and 1-for-8 from three-point range. I was disappointed that Rondo didn't play an aggressive second half.

I'm not too upset at the loss, as the Hawks -- Jamal Crawford in particular -- made a number of big shots and plays in the second half. And it was good to see a little of the championship swagger come back when Pachulia hit Pierce. But if we don't come out and whip them on Monday, I'm going to be disappointed.