Philippines, 05 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NBA PLAYOFFS -- Rondo's triple-double shoots down Hawks


PhilBoxing.com




FLIRTING with disaster, the Boston Celtics squandered an 11-point fourth quarter lead before luckily hanging on to beat an undermanned but upset-minded Atlanta Hawks, 90-84 in overtime, Friday night at the TD Garden in Boston.

Game 3 of this Round 1 showdown appeared safely in Boston's hands when a Rajon Rondo lay-up with 4:02 left in regulation pushed the Celtics ahead, 80-72. But the men in green went on a drought and the Hawks pounced with an 8-0 run that knotted the count to force the extra session.

In overtime, though, the Hawks ran out of gas, They shot just 2-of-11 field goals as Boston escaped with the win. The Celtics now lead this best-of-7 series 2-1 with Game 4 scheduled Sunday afternoon also at the TD Garden.

"It wasn't pretty, but who says it has to be pretty. At the end of the day we have to win four games and tonight we found a way," said Celtics guard Paul Pierce, who finished with 21 points on a miserable shooting night where he made just three of 12 field goals.

Boston didn't have it's A-game on hand. They shot 40 percent from the field (32-of-79), 30.8 percent above the 3-point arc (4-of-13) and they threw the ball away 13 times.

But Rondo kept the Celtics afloat with the 20th triple-double of his career. Suspended for Game 2 for bumping a referee following a call dispute in Game 1, Rondo returned with a flourish -- 17 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists.

Ray Allen returned from foot and ankle injuries and promptly drilled 13 points while Kevin Garnett had 13 rebounds and 20 points, including a put-back slam off a Rondo miss that gave the Celtics an 88-84 cushion in the final 28.1 seconds of overtime.

The Hawks played without big men Al Horford, Zaza Pachulia and Josh Smith and they couldn't find any traction on offense, shooting 37.8 percent from the field (34-of-90) and 20 percent from 3point range (4-of-20).

"We've been a team that has had adversity throughout the season like everybody else and it says a lot about your team when they can step up in the playoffs shorthanded and still put themselves in a position to win. We certainly had our opportunities. We just fell short," Hawks head coach Larry Drew said.

Joe Johnson paced Atlanta with 29 points and 8 rebounds while Jeff Teague added 23 points and 6 assists. Tracy McGrady chipped in 12 off the bench. (Homer D. Sayson)


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • “I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Feb 2026
  • International Master Eric Labog Jr. rules FIDE rapid chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 02 Feb 2026
  • 76ers star Paul George has been suspended for 25 NBA games by doping
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
    , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
    , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Trazo beats Jabagat in Talisay
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.