Celtics Title Town

You could say this is just game one, or that the Celtics don't have home court in this series. But what do the Celtics have? The better team, sure why not. The best player on the court? Okay, yes Rondo is the best player between the two teams. The Celtics also hustle, they also fight, and have heart. But the Celtics don't have anything after tonight, or do they? During the third quarter. Paul Pierce, and Garnett didn't get back on a play that Avery Bradley shot a quick jumper on. The effort wasn't present tonight. Who was present for the Celtics? Only one man, and that man was Rondo. His teammates let him down tonight.

The Celtics played with  lack of effort. Especially from a team that wants  a title, and that have all-time greats(Pierce,KG). Maybe the rest broke the groove. Maybe this team is overconfident. The Celtics didn't come into tonight's game ready.The Celtics had many bone-headed plays. So many careless tries rebounding the ball. In the 4th when the Celtics needed stops down 10. Three Celtics go up, and they play volleyball with a basketball. T-Mac grabs it, and slams it over three Celtics. The Celtics made more runs, and they got the lead down to 4. But the Celtics lost the first quarter 31-18, and they really costed them the game. Of course the Celtics showed some fight. Maybe they have fuel for the fire now. But with 41 seconds to go in the game. The season may have hit a snag. Rondo was ejected from the game, and then a questionable chest bump to  a ref.But Rondo did trip a bit, and hopefully enough for the league not to rule against him. It was a bogus call with the Celtics down 4.

Rondo ended the game with a team high 20 points, and 11 assists. Rondo could be suspended for game 2, and that could be the difference in the series. Look at the Spurs, and Suns series in 2007. Suspensions could kill championship dreams. After the first quarter the Celtics out scored the Hawks the rest of the way. Fans are going crazy over Rondo right now. A sad turn of events. The Celtics should be ashamed of themselves. That's the real issue. Not Rondo. I don't want to sound like I am protecting Rondo. But the refs are letting him get hacked all night. The Celtics should be ashamed for their lack of effort. Despite the comeback. The Hawks are not a great basketball team, and it was a half ass comeback. I never tend to leave negative recaps, but I expect much more out of this team.

• Hawks out rebound the Celtics 50-41
• C's shoot 39%, and now three's
• Pierce 5-of-19 for 12 points