The Boston Celtics came up short against the Atlanta Hawks in Game 5, a potential elimination game.  Boston led the series with a record of 3-1, and seemed to have entered a flow that involved Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett switching off, scoring in bunches and hitting big shots.  The style worked, until everyone started getting a little cold in the second half – right when Atlanta got hot.  Pierce and Garnett led the Celtics in scoring, both dropping 16 points, while Rondo led in the assist category with 12.

It took time, but Atlanta’ Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, and the supposedly injured Al Horford started heating up in unison.  Horford led the Hawks and the game with 19 points, and made the big defensive play that forced a Rondo turnover and the eventual buzzer.  He also grabbed 11 rebounds, had three blocks, three steals, and three assists.  The player originally thought to be the most disadvantaged on the court for the night clearly had the most impressive performance, and proved that Atlanta is a legitimate threat when he is in the paint.  Johnson was also key to the Hawks victory, as he scored whenever they needed points most.