Celtics guard Rajon Rondo earned two technical fouls and an immediate ejection after losing his temper with 41 seconds remaining in Sunday's 83-74 Game 1 loss to the Hawks. ATLANTA -- Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo earned two technical fouls and an immediate ejection after losing his temper ...
(CBS/AP) ATLANTA - The Boston Celtics lost Game 1 — and they may have lost their floor leader for Game 2.
Josh Smith scored 22 points and grabbed 18 rebounds as the Atlanta Hawks built a big lead early, then held on for an 83-74 victory over the Celtics in their opener of the Eastern Conference playoffs Sunday night.
But this one will be remembered for what happened in the final minute, not the Hawks' blistering start. While complaining about a call, Boston star Rajon Rondo was ejected for bumping an official and faces a possible suspension when the teams meet again Tuesday night in Atlanta.
Rondo, for his part, said the contact was not intentional.
"I didn't intentionally chest bump him," Rondo said, according to SBNation Boston. "I know the rules."
Matt Moore of CBSSports.com writes that there's no telling what the league will do.
The Hawks, who led by as many as 19 in the first half, were clinging to a four-point lead when Rondo lost his cool with 41 seconds remaining. Boston's Brandon Bass was called for a foul on Smith tussling for a loose ball, with both players sprawled on the court out beyond the foul line. Rondo screamed at official Marc Davis, who quickly called a technical. Rondo then bumped Davis with his chest and was tossed out.
A suspension could be coming, too.
Rondo, who scored 20 points and dished out 11 assists, clearly appeared to stick out his chest to strike the official. That's a huge no-no and will almost surely draw the wrath of NBA Commissioner David Stern
Michael Conner
9:30 PM - PublicIt's funny how #bostonceltics are showing their true colors in the first game of the first series. I'm hoping for a sweep just so I don't have to watch anymore of their lack of sportsmanship.
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Michael Conner
9:27 PM - Public#bostonceltics continuously show poor sportsmanship and then wonder why they don't get any respect.
