Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Al Horford and Josh Smith shook off injuries
and posted double-doubles to keep the Atlanta Hawks' season alive with a hard-
fought 87-86 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of their Eastern
Conference quarterfinal series.
Horford, battling through a still-bothersome pectoral injury that caused him
to miss most of the regular season, totaled 19 points and 11 rebounds while
Smith chipped in 13 and 16 despite dealing with a shoulder issue.
Smith nearly threw away a chance to seal the win when his inbounds pass with
10.9 seconds remaining was stolen by Rajon Rondo.
Down by one, Rondo pushed the ball up the court and dribbled into the left
corner. Smith and Horford switched defensive responsibilities, and Horford
disrupted Rondo's dribble as time wound down.
By the time Rondo recovered and threw to Kevin Garnett at the top of the key,
Smith tipped the ball away as the buzzer sounded, pulling the Hawks within 3-2
of a series that continues Thursday back in Boston.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network