Atlanta 83, Boston 74

[recap] [box score]

Rajon R-ndo did a very bad thing tonight.

Here's the video, in case you weren't watching the game. Basically, with the Celtics down four and about 40 seconds to go, Brandon Bass was called for a loose-ball foul by official Mark Davis after a wild scramble. R-ndo didn't like the call and got in Davis' face; Davis turned to the scorer's table to ring him up; R-ndo took a step forward, tripped slightly, and then quite deliberately bumped Davis in the back with his chest. Davis rightly tossed him; Atlanta made three of the four ensuing free throws, and that was that.

I want to address a few of the talking points surrounding the incident before getting on with analyzing the basketball game (though the Celtics played so badly that there's little to talk about in that regard).

1. It was a foul on Bass. People like to get upset at officials for calling fouls on these types of plays, but I thought Davis handled this one perfectly. He let Bass and Josh Smith scramble for the ball, and once Smith had it, Bass ended up with his arm across Smith's face and neck. The ball was no longer loose at that point. Not that it being a bad call would excuse what happened after that, but anyone using the classic "if the refs called the game right, the players wouldn't get upset" argument is even more wrong than usual. It was a clear foul.

2. R-ndo definitely tripped when he took that step towards Davis. He did not, contrary to his claim after the game, trip into Davis. He inadvertently stepped on Davis' foot and that caused him to stumble towards the official, but R-ndo quite deliberately closed the gap between the two.

3. My prediction is that R-ndo will get a one-game suspension. From what I understand, one game is the minimum required by NBA rules. There are arguments, I think, for giving him more, including his two-game ban earlier this year for tossing the ball at an official. But I think public opinion is a big factor in deciding the length of these suspensions that the NBA hands down, and the majority of the talking heads seem to be saying that they don't think R-ndo should be suspended. That's obviously not happening; there's no chance he gets off scot-free. But since the general sentiment seems to be that his punishment should be minimal, a suspension that lasts for multiple games won't play well. (And I think that's particularly true in light of some overly paternalistic officiating in the Heat-Knicks game and the absences of Dwight Howard and Derrick Rose from these playoffs due to injuries.)

4. There probably are few, if any, bigger R-ndo fans-slant-apologists than I, but there's no excusing what he did. He lost his cool, and it cost his team a chance at the game -- and put them in a hole for at least the next game, as well. I don't love him any less for it, but he messed up and he deserves the criticism that's coming his way.

Back to the Xs and Os. It's really a shame that R-ndo's night ended the way it did, because he was really the only Celtic who was consistent throughout the game. After subordinating his own scoring for most of the second half of the season, R-ndo recognized that the usual suspects weren't off to a great start and kept the Cs remotely close during a torrid first quarter from the Hawks. He finished with 20 points and 11 assists on 10-for-18 from the floor, the most shots he's taken since March 4.

Other than that, it was a very uneven performance for the Celtics. They were terribly defensively at the start, though it was exacerbated by some really good Hawks shooting, but turned up the pressure considerably in the second half. Kevin Garnett was awful to start, opening 1-for-9, but made seven of his last ten and finished with 20 points and 12 boards. Paul Pierce never really got going, though, to his credit, he did about as good a job on Joe Johnson defensively as Johnson did on him. I thought Avery Bradley and Brandon Bass were non-existent all night. Greg Stiemsma had nine rebounds, but other than that, the bench didn't contribute anything.

Assuming R-ndo only misses a game, and even assuming that Atlanta wins that game, I don't think Sunday's game changes much regarding the outcome of the series. Boston came out incredibly flat, something I don't think you'll see again now that the Hawks have their full attention. Garnett and Bradley got plenty of the open jump shots they've been making recently; they just missed them. I do think Bass is going to have a tough time scoring against Smith, but I expect to see some of these shots go down and I think we'll see a different Paul Pierce in from here on out.

Defensively, we showed what we were capable of in the second half. The effort wasn't there in the first, but it's worth noting that the Hawks came out on fire. Smith was excellent all night, but he hit a number of tough jumpers that I'm sure we're comfortable with him taking the rest of the series. Kirk Hinrich was key, as well; he hit a couple of threes early and then made some tough shots in the third quarter when Boston seemed on the verge of making a run.

Game 2 is Tuesday night on NBA TV. I'll have an update with the length of Rondo's suspension once it's announced.