Even Ludacris can't save you Atlanta

For a game in December, the Atlanta Hawks and their fraud fans showed up in full force last night at the Philips Arena. Native son Ludacris even performed at halftime of this circus like atmosphere.

However, it will take more than that to stop the machine that is the Boston Celtics these days though as the C's (24-2) won 88-85. Boston has now won 16 consecutive games, including 10 straight on the road.

As we learned in the playoffs last spring and in the teams' first meeting in November, the Hawks (15-10) match up with the Celtics better than any other team in the league. That's not a misprint Lakers, Cavs, Pistons, Hornets or Spurs. Atlanta's combination of athletic youngsters (Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Al Horford) with some great shooters (Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby) means that games between these two teams are almost always tight.

The Celts starting five once again was superb. Paul Pierce (7 rebounds) and Kevin Garnett (8 rebounds) each had 18 points while Ray Allen added 16. Rajon Rondo went for 15 points, seven assists, six rebounds and four steals. Kendrick Perkins had eight points, 10 rebounds and four blocks.

For the Hawks, Johnson led the way with a game-high 20 points. Williams had 16 points and eight rebounds while Smith and Bibby both notched 14 points.

The outcome wasn't decided until the final possessions as each team had clutch hoops and free throws. Boston went up one late with a KG hook shot. Johnson was fouled and had a chance to tie it (and likely send the game to OT) but he missed the second free throw.

Ray Allen hit two free throws to put Boston up three and Bibby missed a prayer 3-pointer at the buzzer.

The Celts shot 44.2% to the Hawks' 36.7%. That was the only number that was much different.

Boston comes home to play the Bulls tomorrow night with the chance to tie the second best win-streak in franchise history.

Don't Try to Explain It, Just Be Happy They're Moving On

In what will go down as one of the most lopsided game seven's of all-time, the Boston Celtics took out three losses worth of frustration on the Atlanta Hawks yesterday at the Garden, winning 99-65 to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Cavs.

Doc Rivers (who had never made it out of the first round as a coach), Paul Pierce (who had another meltdown in game 6) and KG (who has only made it out of the first round once) were all spared what would have been a brutal off-season of questions if a 66-win team choked in the first round to a bad team.

The game was never really in doubt as Boston led 44-26 at halftime and by as much as 38 points in the third quarter. Atlanta never showed up (yesterday or in any of the games in Boston). And that ends one of the strangest playoff series' you'll ever see. No road wins for either team and the C's dominated every home game, winning by 19+ each time.

Five Celts scored in double figures, led by Paul Pierce (22 points). Kevin Garnett had 18 points and 11 boards. Kendrick Perkins was a force defensively with 10 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks. Rajon Rondo had 10 points and six assists while Leon Powe had 12 points off the bench.

Ray Allen struggled all game, shooting 3 of 12 for seven points but nobody noticed.

Joe Johnson was the only Hawk over ten points with 16. Salim Stoudamire had 10 in extended garbage time and Al Horford ended his fine rookie season with eight points and ten rebounds. Mike Bibby (who couldn't play worse in Boston if he tried) had two points, four rebounds and two assists.

Marvin Williams almost killed Rondo with a hard foul in the third quarter. Rondo went in for a layup and Williams grabbed him by the shoulders and pushed. The two are supposedly friends and luckily Rondo was fine but it could have been a disaster. Williams got a Type-2 flagrant foul and with that, his first playoff season was over.

KG also exacted some revenge on Hawks goofy big man Zaza Pachulia. Garnett absolutely laid him out (on a clean screen) in the back court. Rivers pulled KG and the rest of the starters by the beginning of the fourth since the game was long decided and Boston will play again on Tuesday.

For now, I'm not going to look back on this series with the Hawks much. It exposed plenty of problems with Boston but the most important thing is that they got by. They are still the top seed and I feel like they should get by Cleveland as well. There's no other team that depends so heavily on one player like LeBron and the Cavs. If the Celts can slow him down for four games and make the assorted spare parts beat them, they'll be fine. It's a favorable matchup for Boston but Cleveland has been resting since Friday night so they could steal either game 1 or 2.

You Sir (Mike Bibby) are a Joke

After playing terribly in game 1 and watching his team get blown out by the top seed Boston Celtics, Atlanta point guard (and Kermit the Frog voiceover artist) Mike Bibby decided to open his mouth and rip the Celtics fans for being "fair-weather." Sweet move Mike.

The C's don't need anymore motivation and Bibby's verbal assault really isn't a big deal but it will probably be one of the most memorable parts from what should be a tidy four-game sweep. Boston won last night 96-77 to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

I knew the Celts would have little trouble with the Hawks but I thought maybe Atlanta could steal a game. It could still happen but it's looking more and more unlikely, since the Celtics are on a mission and the Hawks are easily one of the worst teams to ever make the playoffs.

KG received his defensive player of the year award before the game (which he shared with his teammates), then he went out and delivered (what a concept Dirk) with 19 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals. Ray Allen scored 15 points and Paul Pierce shook off a hard foul by Josh Smith to contribute 14 points.

As for Bibby, he didn't really help his cause by scoring 12 points (on 2 of 7 shooting, with 8 free throws). Rajon Rondo once again owned him, filling the stat sheet with 12 points, eight assists, six rebounds and four steals.

Another person called out by Bibby-Kendrick Perkins-had eight points and nine rebounds, Sam Cassell had 10 points off the bench and James Posey continued to do his thing with nine points and five rebounds.

Marvin Williams and Josh Smith led Atlanta with 13 points, Acie Law had 12 off the bench and the so far unimpressive Joe Johnson managed 11 points. Al Horford, who was the lone Atlanta brightspot in game 1, was held to nine points and nine rebounds.

The C's were ruthlessly efficient, outscoring the Hawks in every quarter. Boston led 24-20 after one and 52-42 at the half. It was 76-58 after three.

Atlanta shot 38.3% from the field and didn't hit a three-pointer (0 for 5). The only reason they avoided further embarrassment was by hitting 31 of 40 free throws. Boston had more rebounds (45-35), assists (23-10), steals (15-4) and way less turnovers (21-12).

Game 3 is in Atlanta on Saturday night. I'm sure the Hawks faithful will be out in full-force, cheering on their favorite sons. Haha, at least that's what Bibby told me.