Celtics survive overtime thriller with 90-84 victory over the Atlanta Hawks

Boston squeezed out a win in overtime over the Atlanta Hawks,  90-84.  This series has been one where the team that should have won has lost or nearly lost, with Boston taking game two without Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen while barely winning at full strength and Atlanta missing Josh Smith.

This whole series has been neck and neck.  Game three was no different as both teams traded punches and fought hard.  The box scores in this game were identical.  It was only a matter of time before we saw overtime action between these two clubs, as Pierce had a chance to win in regulation but back rimmed the game winner.

Ray Allen returned in this game with perfect timing because Avery Bradley ended up leaving the game with a shoulder injury.  Allen chipped in 12 points off the bench providing that scoring option the second unit needed.  Uncharacteristically missed two free throws and missed all four three pointers.

The Celtics needed this win because it will only get harder with Josh Smith potentially returning.  These two teams match up well and they are showing it with each game being a dog fight.  If anyone thinks this series was going to be easy they are dead wrong.

Rajon Rondo added a triple double despite playing a sub par game.  That sentence was hard to type but it was true.  Rajon had 6 turnovers while missing countless lay ups (7 for 22).  They needed his return tonight, especially with Paul Pierce playing poorly.  

Joe Johnson and Jeff Teague played well for Atlanta, which was another aspect to Rajon Rondo's sub par performance.  I felt as though Doc should have played Avery Bradley on Teague more instead of Kirk Hinrich.  Mickael Pietrus failed miserably trying to guard Joe Johnson in the fourth quarter. 

Boston held Atlanta to only four points in the overtime quarter.  Onto the next game as they say, the Celtics will need to bring every ounce of energy and effort they have, especially if Avery Bradley’s injury is serious.