2012 NBA Playoffs

Boston, MA

Upset and feeling disrespected by comments a day before from a Hawks owner, Kevin Garnett responded with 28 points and 14 boards, both game-highs, as the Boston Celtics held on for a thrilling 83-80 series-clinching win over the Atlanta Hawks.

Garnett, who doused Atlanta's comeback attempt all night, swished a turnaround jumper with 30.4 seconds left in Game 6 to seal the win.

That 13-foot two point jumper gave a 80-79 lead to the Celtics, who also received a game-high three steals and a game-high five shot blocks from Garnett. The five swats accounted for nearly half of Boston's 11 on the night.

Garnett, who turns 36 this month, turned back the clock with a vintage, dominating performance reminiscent of his MVP season in 2003-04, when he averaged 24.2 points -- and 19 shots -- a night.

With fellow All-Star Paul Pierce hampered by a sprained left knee and Ray Allen dealing with an ankle problem, Garnett stepped up in all facets in Game 6, but also found motivation in the comments of Hawks co-owner Michael Gearon Jr.

Gearon referred to the Celtics as an "old team" and called Kevin Garnett a "a dirty player" earlier in the week.

"Thank you to their owner for giving me some extra gas tonight," the 14-time All-Star Garnett said via the Boston Herald. "My only advice to him is next time he opens his mouth actually know what he's talking about — X's and O's versus his checkbook and the bottom line."

"I just found that comment to be a little rude and a little out of hand, and I wanted to address it," he added. "Just because you've got a lot of money doesn't mean you can open your mouth."

Pierce, who started despite the team announcing earlier Thursday he has a sprained MCL in his left knee, added 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Rajon Rondo finished with 14 points in the win.

Josh Smith paced Atlanta with 18 points and added nine boards in the season-ending defeat.

The Celtics will have home-court advantage against eighth-seeded Philadelphia.

The Sixers, who will visit TD Garden on Saturday night for Game 1 of an Eastern Conference semifinal series, advanced after toppling the top-seeded Chicago Bulls 79-78, in Game 6 of their first-round series.

After winning the series, Kevin Garnett says the Hawks owner calling him the 'dirtiest player in the league' was gave him 'extra gas'

 

 

Pumped-Up Garnett Carries Celtics in Series Clincher vs Hawks