BOSTON (AP) - Paul Pierce scored 24 points in 18 minutes and the Boston
Celtics opened a 37-point third-quarter lead before coasting to a 101-79 victory
over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven
series.
The Celtics can finish off the Hawks in Atlanta on Tuesday. Game 6 would be
in Boston on Thursday, if necessary.
Two nights after his triple-double helped turn back the Hawks in overtime in
Game 3, Rajon Rondo had 20 points and 16 assists as the Celtics got some
much-needed rest for their aging and injured roster.
Josh Smith returned after missing Friday's game and had 15 points and 13
rebounds for Atlanta. Al Horford, who played for the first time in almost four
months, scored 12 points.
