Pierce Leads Celtics Over Hawks

Pierce Leads Celtics Over Hawks

No Rondo?  No problem!

The Boston Celtics showed once again Tuesday night why they are a team to be feared in the NBA's Eastern Conference.  Without talented point guard Rajon Rondo who was serving a 1-game suspension for bumping an official, the Celtics managed to pick up a much-needed 87-80 win over the Atlanta Hawks in game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals to even the series at one.

Captain Paul Pierce led the Celts with a 36-point, 14-rebound performance.  The win helped Boston recapture the home court advantage in the series.

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Things didn't look good for Boston midway through the third quarter when Atlanta took an 11-point lead.  But the Celtics continued to fight turning in a great defensive performance.  They held the Hawks to 35% shooting (29-83) and outrebounded Atlanta 45-40.

Kevin Garnett was also superb for Boston with 15 points, 12 rebounds and a team-leading 5 assists.  Avery Bradley was the only other Celtic in double figures with 14 points.

Joe Johnson led the Hawks with 22 points.

Boston will get Rondo back for game 3 of the series Friday night but it is not known yet if Ray Allen will be available for that game.  Allen has missed the first two games of the series with bone spurs in his ankle.

Game 3 of the series will be played Friday night at the TD Garden beginning at 7:30pm.