The Boston Celtics started off their playoff series with the Atlanta Hawks not the way they wanted.  The Hawks jumped out to an early double digit lead seemingly hitting every shot, while the Celtics went gold and looked sluggish.

 The Celtics managed to make it a game late in the 4th quarter but when a call went against them with under 2 minutes to play it signaled the beginning of the end.  A ball that appeared to go off of the shoulder of Hawks forward Josh Smith was ruled out an Rajon Rondo and the Hawks would take the  ball and their 4 point lead.  Rondo was not happy with the call but the Celltics didn't put up much of a fight and went back on defense.  On the insuing Hawks possesion there was a loose ball the Brandon Bass and Josh Smith went for.  It should have been called a jump ball but the official instead called it a foul on Bass.  Rondo yelled at the official picking up a technical foul. After the technical was called Rondo walked towards the official and bumped him immediately getting called for his second technical and being ejected.

The first thought that crossed my mind when he bumped that official was will he get suspended for game 2.  My money was yes but something deep down was hoping that the powes to be would let it go and realize that Rondo tripped over his feet and the official was heading back towards him.  Sadly that was not the case and the decisoin was probably the fairest as the rule book clearly states any player who makes contact with an official is automatically ejected and suspended a game.

The Celtics are going to be in for a tough one on Tuesday night without Rondo and most likely without Ray Allen for the 10th straight game as he continues to recover from an ankle injury.  The Celtics sure did miss Ray Allen and his shotting ability as they went 0-11 from the three point line compared to the Hawks who shot it 7-20.

With Rondo you would think the Celtics would be able to pick up a W and even the series but now the Celtics are faced with having Avery Bradley handle the ball where it takes away from his ability to run the baseline and cut to the basket.  The bench is also shortened by 1 player as they will need to call someone from the bench to the starting lineup.  

The Celtics can still win this game if they play Boston Celtics defense.  They will need to hit some perimete shots and you would expect that Paul Pierce will have a much better game as he will need to for the Celtics to avoid an 0-2 hold heading back to Boston. 

I think the Celtics hit enough shots and play good enough defense to win this one in a low scoring affair. Celtics 81, Hawks 77