Philippines, 09 Jan 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:

  • Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Hardstone adds 2 more title fights on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Panamerican Boxing Confederation Partners with Xempower for Digital and AI-Driven Transformation
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • IGMOB TALENT GROUP Launches www.IGMOBTalent.com to Represent Fighters, Entertainers, and Rising Talent Across Sports & Media
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • SEAG Davao-based athletes eye International stints
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Canoy banking on his ring experience against Kuse
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Undefeated Kansas Middleweight Prospect Marco “El Tiburon” Romero finished 2025 with 7th triumphs, all by knockout, & 11-0 record
    , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Kinetix Sports aims for bigger events in 2026
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • 2026 Santa Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge on January 26
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • World Ranked Heavyweight Dainier Pero Headlines on Saturday, January 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Jahyae Brown to Battle Arnold Gonzalez in Exciting Co-Feature on Thursday, January 15th at The War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley Ibeh learned from his Loss 5 years ago to Jared Anderson
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Unified World Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez returning to Corpus Christi…as a promoter!
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Ocum to fight Ballesteros on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • SEA Plus Youth Games - Tolentino
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival Featuring Manny Pacquiao International Open to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • Deniega to fight Oka in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 02 Jan 2026
  • Illness forces Paddy Donovan to withdraw from IBF Welterweight World Eliminator January 16 versus Liam Paro in Australia
    , Fri, 02 Jan 2026
  • Canadian World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki returning to ring March 7th
    , Thu, 01 Jan 2026
  • Lover Boy on hot streak
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • Silvano fights Gurung on January 13 in Hong Kong
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • GM Laylo faces tough competition in Caloocan rapid chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY DELIVERS A LOADED UNDERCARD OF STAR PROSPECTS FOR ROCHA VS. CURIEL II
    , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • Arca wins silver in Eastern Asian Juniors Chess Championships 2025
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025




  •  



     
    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.