Staying cool is key for Johnson

With center Zaza Pachulia expected to miss at least one game of the first-round playoff series, Hawks forward Ivan Johnson will play a big role against the Celtics.

There’s one role coach Larry Drew doesn’t want Johnson to embrace.

“Ivan is an enforcer but he may be a little bit over the edge,” Drew said. “We don’t want Ivan to be an enforcer right now. We want him to play with a physicality but we want him to be smart.”

Johnson is part of what could be a combustible mixture.

He’s an emotional rookie with a history of angermanagement issues and he plays a physical style. The Celtics are a veteran team that plays smothering defense, paced by legendary trash-talker Kevin Garnett.

Johnson already got a taste of it during the teams’ regular-season meetings. He said Garnett as well as Boston veteran Keyon Dooling woofed at him.

“I am pretty sure they are going to try me, but we played them already so I know what to expect,” Johnson said. “I’m just going to keep a level head and play my game.”

Johnson’s hot temper forced him to take a long route to get to the NBA. He was run off from the University of Oregon, banned from the Korean Basketball League and benched in the NBA Development League.

Drew sent Johnson home from a road trip this season after Johnson argued with teammates on the bench. Johnson’s three technical fouls this season were second on the team to Josh Smith though Johnson ranked seventh in minutes played.

The Hawks could use Johnson’s toughness to compensate for missing Pachulia, who famously clashed with Garnett during the 2008 playoffs. Pachulia’s foot injury has improved but he’s not expected to play in Game 1.

Johnson is 3 inches shorter than Pachul- ia and thus undersized for a center, but Johnson is strong and athletic and has proved to be a good rebounder and post defender.

“He does play physical, he’s rugged, but we have to make sure we don’t overstep our boundaries with that,” Drew said. “I think all of our guys have to be prepared for a physical game, for physical contact. We have to be smart with it and maintain our composure and not allow tempers to flare.”

The Hawks secured home-court advantage by defeating Dallas on Thursday in the regular-season finale. Now they hope their fans will make sure there’s really an edge to playing at home.

Hawks guard Joe Johnson said his memories of Atlanta’s series against Boston in 2008 include the electric atmosphere at Philips Arena. He expects the same this time, but wonders if Celtics fans will invade the building like they do for regular-season games.

“I know it’s going to be loud,” Johnson said. “I just hope it’s in our favor.”

Pachulia did not practice Saturday. Drew said he’s a game-time decision, but Joe Johnson said the team will be without Pachulia.

Hawks guard Jannero Pargo (back) practiced after missing the final regular-season game. He said he will play today.

The Boston Globe reported that Celtics coach Doc Rivers said guard Ray Allen (ankle) has a “60 percent” chance of playing in Game 1.

Zaza Pachulia will miss the playoff series opener against the Celtics.