Times wires
Sunday, May 8, 2011
ATLANTA — The Hawks finally won a second-round playoff game at home. They can thank a guy who frequently gets booed by the home fans, and a young guard who wasn't supposed to be playing much at all.
Josh Smith answered his critics with a huge game — 23 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists — and fill-in Jeff Teague came up with big plays down the stretch to lead the Hawks past the Bulls 100-88 Sunday, evening the Eastern Conference semifinals at two games apiece.
The Hawks ended a nine-game home skid in the second round, their misery dating to a May 13, 1996, win against Orlando.
Smith is frequently criticized by Atlanta fans for his inconsistent play. He heard cheers in this one, staying away from the outside jumpers, dominating on the inside and finding the open man.
"There are people who don't understand the game, who don't know the game. That doesn't faze me," Smith said. " … When I was in my rut, (my teammates) told me to stay positive, to stay in the game, just do what I'd been doing all season long. I stayed with it and had the game I had."
Teague, filling in for injured Kirk Hinrich, played with the poise of a veteran. He scored 12 and had four assists, putting the capper on a late 10-0 run that broke open a tight game.
Chicago's Derrick Rose scored 34 but needed 32 shots to do it.
Hawks 100, Bulls 88
CHICAGO (88): Deng 5-14 2-2 13, Boozer 7-10 4-4 18, Noah 2-4 2-4 6, Rose 12-32 9-11 34, Bogans 1-2 0-0 3, Brewer 0-2 0-0 0, Gibson 3-3 3-4 9, Asik 1-2 1-2 3, Watson 0-1 0-0 0, Korver 1-8 0-0 2. Totals 32-78 21-27 88.
ATLANTA (100): Smith 8-22 7-9 23, Horford 9-11 2-2 20, Collins 2-2 0-0 4, Teague 6-12 0-0 12, Johnson 9-14 3-3 24, Pachulia 1-3 3-4 5, Crawford 5-11 1-2 12, Williams 0-5 0-0 0, Wilkins 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 40-81 16-20 100.
Chicago 26 20 23 19— 88
Atlanta 28 19 20 33— 100
3-Point Goals—Chicago 3-16 (Bogans 1-2, Rose 1-3, Deng 1-6, Korver 0-5), Atlanta 4-11 (Johnson 3-5, Crawford 1-5, Smith 0-1). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Chicago 48 (Noah 11), Atlanta 49 (Smith 16). Assists—Chicago 19 (Rose 10), Atlanta 23 (Smith 8). Total Fouls—Chicago 20, Atlanta 19. Technicals—Chicago Coach Thibodeau, Chicago defensive three second 2, Pachulia. A—19,263 (18,729).
Celtics healing: Rajon Rondo's elbow tested okay Sunday, and Celtics coach Doc Rivers says his point guard will be a game-time decision for tonight's Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against Miami. Rondo dislocated his left elbow in the third quarter of Saturday's 97-81 win when he got tangled up with Miami guard Dwyane Wade and got thrown to the floor. Backup Delonte West has a bruised left shoulder but was feeling better. "Right now, we're going to go with, 'They're all playing,' " Rivers said.
NBA draft status: Butler guard Shelvin Mack is keeping his name in the June 23 draft and won't return for his senior season with the Indiana school that reached the NCAA final the past two seasons. Players can withdraw from consideration by notifying the NBA in writing no later than 5 p.m. June 13. … Kentucky junior guard DeAndre Liggins, Stanford junior guard Jeremy Green and Tennessee All-SEC guard Scotty Hopson all said they will remain in the draft.
