All Tied Up In Beantown

Alright, false alarm. The Atlanta Hawks beat Boston last night 97-92, locking up their first round playoff series at 2-all. Contrary to my fears, the Hawks win did not bring about the end of the world. No promises, though, if they do the unthinkable and win the series.

Atlanta's been better at home all season, but they've never had this kind of home-court advantage at Phillips Arena. The Hawks only managed 12 wins on the road this season, but boasted were 25-16 in Atlanta. That home record could have been more impressive if the fans in Atlanta showed up with even a fraction of the numbers and the intensity they showed in Games 3 and 4. Phillips Arena was packed, and the vast majority of seats were filled with fans root, root, rooting for the home team (unlike a Braves playoff against the Cubs, for example).

The Hawks came into the 4th quarter last night trailing by 10 points (75-65) after leading for much of the 3rd. Instead of rolling over, they simply doused Joe Johnson in kerosene and lit him on fire (not literally, the floor's made out of wood). Johnson scored 20 of his 35 points in the 4th quarter. Josh Smith was the only other Hawk to score in the final period, totalling 28 points and setting an Atlanta playoff record with 7 blocked shots.

But, back to Joe Johnson. You might remember that former Hawks part-owner Steve Belkin tried to block the trade that brought Johnson to Atlanta. The conflict in the owners' suite made the Hawks even more of a laughing stock in the NBA. And, given the success Johnson's had as a star and a leader for the Hawks since coming to Atlanta, I'd say that Belkin might be better off leaving the basketball decisions to other people.

JOE JOHNSON: WORTH TRADING BORIS DIAW AND TWO FIRST ROUND PICKSAP Photo/John Bazemore

Now the series heads back to Boston for Wednesday night's Game 5. Atlanta still hasn't shown that they can play with the same kind of intensity and focus away from home. But, now they've got confidence on their side, and they've figured out a way to beat Boston's defense. I still wouldn't bet on Atlanta to win in Boston's TD Banknorth Garden, but I wouldn't be shocked, either.

Besides, it's possible that Boston's Kevin Garnett might not be around for the game. Garnett and Atlanta's Zaza Pachulia were involved in this close encounter during Game 4. Garnett appeared to elbow Pachulia, and then had to be restrained by a referee after Pachulia got in his face. Boston's Kendrick Perkins and Atlanta's Marvin Williams also may be in trouble, as both stepped onto the court from the bench area, which is a no-no.

FIGHT!!! FIGHT!!!YouTube/TNT

Still, as much as I'm sure Atlanta would like to have Zaza on the court, and Marvin available to hand out water, I think that they'd be willing to trade them in order to keep KG and Perkins in their street clothes. If Garnett and Perkins aren't there, maybe... just maybe... Atlanta will be coming back home Friday night with a series lead and a chance to do the unthinkable.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: J&J Show Down the Stretch
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Pachulia gets in Garnett's face
YouTube: Kevin Garnett vs. Zaza Pachulia fight Game 4 Altercation
USA Today: The Joe Johnson Trade Story