The Celtics’ 83-74 loss to the Hawks in Game 1 in Atlanta last night turned ugly in the final minute when Boston star Rajon Rondo was ejected for bumping an official.
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 left — and may have cost himself a chance to play Game 2 of the Eastern Conference series tomorrow night.
Brandon Bass was called for a foul on Josh 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 stuck out his chest and struck the official, which will almost surely draw the wrath of NBA commissioner David Stern.
“I deserved the first tech,” Rondo said. “I didn’t intentionally chest-bump him, but that’s what it appears to be. It’s out of my control.”
Celtics coach Doc Rivers said he doesn’t think Rondo deserves a suspension.
“I would be surprised if that happens,” Rivers said.
Smith scored 22 points and grabbed 18 rebounds to lead the Hawks. Kevin Garnett put up 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics, who were without Ray Allen.
Lakers 103, Nuggets 88
In Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant scored 31 points and Andrew Bynum posted the Lakers’ first playoff triple-double in 21 years with an NBA postseasonecord-tying10 blockd shots in a convincing Game 1 victory over Denver.
Bynum, the Lakers’ All-Star center, also had 10 points and 13 rebounds while blocking 11 percent of the Nuggets’ 90 shots.
Spurs 106, Jazz 91
In San Antonio, Tony Parker scored 28 points and the Spurs won their first playoff opener in four years, beating the Jazz in Game 1.
Tim Duncan added 17 points and 11 rebounds, helping the Spurs dodge another early playoff letdown. Despite boasting the No. 1 seed again, San Antonio hadn’t won a Game 1 in its last six postseason series — including the one that began a shocking first-round ouster against the Grizzlies last year.
Paul Millsap led Utah with 20 points.
Clippers 99, Grizzlies 98
In Memphis, Chris Paul hit a pair of free throws with 23.7 seconds left, and the Clippers rallied from 27 down to win Game 1.
Rudy Gay missed a 15-footer with 0.9 seconds left after the Grizzlies squandered a lead they held for the first 47 minutes. The Clippers lost Caron Butler to a broken left hand.
