Philippines, 02 Apr 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:

  • Santiago-Taniguchi Final Presser
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Jimuel in Action on Friday!
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • “Rumble in the Une” Makes History in Union City with Star-Studded Fight Card Headlined by Jacob Macalolooy
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Is Floyd chickening out?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Bacaro to challenge Toyoshima on April 4
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • IBA steps forward as potential organiser for Bivol vs Beterbiev trilogy bout
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • PBF president Almario dies
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Portland Trail Blazers have new owner after $4.25 billion sale
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • PH chess wizard seven-year old Noah Lucas Palcis finishes second in Bangkok chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • 2 Time World Champion Marcos Maidana Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 MARCH 2026: Itauma Destroys Franklin in 5; Fundora Dismantles Thurman in 6
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Panamanian WBC Judge Jesus Aleman murdered in Panama
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • ‘I won’t be holding anything back! – Big Bad Bazley challenges The Pilgrim Ryan Williams for Heavyweight title May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • ZAYAS AND BOOTS CLASH IN UNIFIED BLOCKBUSTER AT BARCLAYS CENTER, BROOKLYN ON JUNE 27 – LIVE AND EXCLUSIVE ON DAZN PPV
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Full Card to Join Taduran Vs. Perez on Friday, April 3, at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. Live on ESPN Knockout
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • 13-0 prospect Marco Romero hasn’t lost a Fight in nearly 7 years and he’s only 20
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • WORLD ELITE SUMO ANNOUNCES NEW DATE – SATURDAY, MAY 16 – FOR LIVE PROFESSIONAL SUMO EVENT AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Filipino boy, 15, wins US chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • 60 Years of Top Rank: Bob Arum’s First Fight Launched a Boxing Empire
    , Mon, 30 Mar 2026
  • Lebron James and son Bronny make NBA History
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 30 Mar 2026
  • Bryan Acosta Wins WBA Continental Americas Featherweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Ronny Rios in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Thunder Studios in Long Beach
    , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Filipino boy, 9, wins in Canada chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Vagabov and Ziyaev crowned champions at IBA Bare Knuckle 4 in Saint Petersburg
    , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Sherwin Tiu captures Kamatyas Open Chess crown
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Fundora vs Thurman: Can Keith Thurman Shake Off The Rust?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Mar 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.