Hawks Defeat Bulls In Game 4 100-88. Series Tied 2-2

ATLANTA - Josh Smith had 23 points, 16 rebounds and 8 assists, and Jeff Teague came up with another big game to lead the Atlanta Hawks past the Chicago Bulls, 100-88, on Sunday night, evening their Eastern Conference semifinals series at two games apiece.

The Hawks snapped a nine-game home losing streak in the second round of the playoffs, their misery dating back to a May 13, 1996, win against Orlando.

Smith, frequently criticized by Atlanta fans for his inconsistent play, stayed away from the outside jumpers, dominated on the inside, and found the open man with crisp passes. Teague has been an even bigger surprise filling in for injured Kirk Hinrich, scoring 12 points and dishing out four assists.

Game 5 is Tuesday night in Chicago.

 

Celtics deal with injuries

Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers did his best to stay out of the trainer's room, lest he learn something about one of his injured players that he didn't want to hear.

"It's a pretty busy room right now," he said, a day after the Celtics earned a bruising, 97-81 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals despite injuries to point guards Rajon Rondo and Delonte West. "Right now, we're going to go with, 'They're all playing.' "

Rondo dislocated his left elbow in the third quarter on Saturday night when he got tangled up with Miami's Dwyane Wade and was thrown to the floor. He had an MRI and CAT scan, and both tests came out negative, Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss said.

West, who had a bruised left shoulder, was feeling better on Sunday and did not go to the hospital for tests, Twiss said. Rivers said he would likely decide just before game time whether Rondo will play.

 

Jackson's going-away gift

Before what may turn out to be the last game of his storied coaching career, Lakers coach Phil Jackson was fined $35,000 for comments about the officiating.

The NBA sent a release less than an hour before tip-off of Game 4 in the Lakers-Mavericks series saying Jackson, who said he plans to retire after this season, was being punished for statements made Saturday. He complained about officials allowing defenders to lift their legs and use their knees to shove big man Pau Gasol out of position.

"That's not fun, having a feeling like I've been chased down the freeway by them," Jackson said. "But as Richard Nixon says, 'You won't be able to kick this guy around anymore.' "

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