Horford gets start, energizes Hawks
HAWKS 87, CELTICS 86
ATLANTA — Welcome back, Al Horford.
In his first start since January, Horford scored 19 points, hit Atlanta’s final two baskets and came up with a huge defensive play to make sure the Hawks kept their season going with a an 87-86 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference playoffs Tuesday night.
“I wanted to bring that energy to the team,” Horford said.
That he did, leading fast breaks and diving on the court for loose balls, not the least bit worried about reinjuring the pectoral muscle that kept him out most of the season. In addition to leading the Hawks in scoring, he grabbed 11 rebounds, made 3 assists, came up with 3 steals and blocked 3 shots — all while playing more than 31 minutes, far more than the Hawks intended.
“We can be nothing but confident,” Horford said. “We know it’s going to be a big challenge up there. “
Boston had a chance to clinch the series when Rajon Rondo stole Josh Smith’s inbounds pass with 10 seconds remaining and raced down the court, looking for the winner. But the point guard got hemmed in along the sideline when Horford jumped out to defend him, which caused Rondo to lose control and fling a desperation pass. Smith knocked it away, the ball rolling harmlessly out of bounds as the horn sounded.
“I cornered myself,” Rondo said. “Give Al credit.”
A relieved Smith collapsed on the scorer’s table as glittery streamers fell from the rafters.
“I feel awful the game ended the way it ended, because I thought Rondo willed us back into the game,” Celtics Coach Doc Rivers said.
Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett led the Celtics with 16 points apiece. Rondo had 13 points and 12 assists, and the last of his five steals gave Boston a chance to end the series early and get some muchneeded rest.
PACERS 105, MAGIC 87
INDIANAPOLIS — Danny Granger scored 25 points to help Indiana defeat Orlando and clinch its first-round Eastern Conference playoff series 4-1.
It was Indiana’s first series victory since 2005 and its first clincher on its home court since the first round of the 2000 playoffs. The Pacers will play Miami or New York in the second round.
Darren Collison scored 15 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and George Hill added 15 points for the Pacers, who trailed by two at the end of the third quarter but outscored the Magic 36-16 in the final 12 minutes.
Jameer Nelson led Orlando with 27 points and made 5 of 8 three-pointers. Glen Davis, who has given Indiana trouble throughout the series, scored 15 but made just 6 of 17 shots. The Magic made just 5 of 16 shots in the fourth quarter.
BULLS 77, 76ERS 69
CHICAGO — Luol Deng scored 24 points, Carlos Boozer added 19 points and 13 rebounds, and host Chicago beat Philadelphia to avoid a first-round playoff exit.
The top-seeded Bulls finally won without point guard Derrick Rose, building a nine-point halftime lead and staying in control down the stretch to pull within 3-2. Game 6 is Thursday in Philadelphia.
It’s been a brutal series for the Bulls, with Rose tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee late in the opener and center Joakim Noah spraining his left ankle in Game 3. He sat out his second consecutive game, but Chicago refused to bow out quietly.
Instead, the Bulls locked down the Sixers, holding them to a season-low 32.1 percent shooting.