FanNation

   Yes, the Celtics were the only higher-seeded team that needed to go to a seventh game in Round 1. But after today, one really has to wonder what the panic was all about.

   As it turned out, this series was about an upstart Atlanta Hawks team that played over its heads for three games at home, and didn't look ready for prime time in any of the four games in Boston.

   The most telling statistic: the Hawks led for less than five minutes in the four Boston games, more than half of it coming today. Garbage time came early to the TD Banknorth Garden the past two weeks.

   The Celtics certainly did not play their best basketball on the road this week, and will have to bring their A game to Cleveland at least once. But today, they did what the top seed is supposed to do in a series-clinching situation: grab the game by the throat early. The Hawks shot 6-for-23 in the first quarter (three on Joe Johnson treys), and if a game could feel in the bag after 12 minutes, this one did. Did anyone show up besides Johnson?

   Early in his career, Boston got a taste of how hot Johnson can get, and Phoenix eventually got a bigger dollop of it. But today, he was carrying dead weight on his back. The team that attacked the basket constantly in Atlanta and was outshooting Boston 161-102 at the foul line for the series must've missed the plane. When P.J. Brown, out of mothballs, blocked two shots early in the second quarter, the Hawks were officially intimidated.

   I'd hate to see how Marvin Williams treats his enemies after watching him bodyslam his old school buddy Rajon Rondo on the breakaway. Thank God Rondo landed on his tush instead of the small of his back or his head.

   Yes, Kevin Garnett is going to get fined after a little finger-across-the-throat STFU to Zaza Pachulia. But damn, he got his money's worth.

   The defensive intensity the Celts displayed today better stay turned on for seven games (or whatever it takes) against Cleveland. LeBron James won't allow anything less to pass.