Tonight's terrible loss had many of the same elements that have plagued the Celtics during the Big 3 plus Rondo era.

They actually came out strong to start the game and seemed poised to end the series tonight but failed to put the Hawks away when they had the chance.

The Celtics were out rebounded again tonight against the Hawks which was expected.  It's amazing to see how Al Horford can miss 55 games and somehow be the best player on the court tonight for stretches and hit 2 huge shots late in the 4th quarter.

The Celtic's offense was once again mediocre for much of the game. They had a 10 point lead in the second quarter but let the Hawks come back.  Atlanta hit some incredible 3 point shots but worse was the Celtics going FIVE minutes without scoring a basket.

After a furious Rondo led rally the Celtics were in PERFECT position to win this game.  There was a back and forth in the 4th quarter but after Ray's 3 pointer the game was tied with just 2:41 left.

The road team Celtics couldn't ask for anything more.  Being in a tie game with 2:41 left is where the Celtics are supposed to shine.  So much fun has been made of the Hawks as a weak minded, poor decision making team that wilts in crunch time.  To have Rondo and 3 Hall of Famers on the court who have so much late game and playoff experience is an invaluable advantage over a disjointed Hawks team knowing their season is almost over.

HOWEVER in an amazing feat it was the Hawks who outplayed the Celtics down the stretch.  Boston played poor defense and gave up 2 Horford baskets for Atlanta to lead by 4.  Then after Pierce making his 3 there was no more scoring. 

The Celtics offense completely FAILED once again in crunch time.  They scored only ONE basket on FIVE possessions which is just pitiful.  Their last two possession were a Pierce airball and Rondo turnover.  The last possession was painful to watch.  In that situation a team HAS to at least get off a potential game winning shot.  The team had no timeouts and was in a hurried situation but that is where the late game experience has to come into play.  To see a team with Rondo, Pierce, Ray (for the 2nd to last possession) and KG on the floor get off an airball and then no shot to finish the game is shocking.

Doc no doubt has the team practice end of game type situations where they have no timeouts remaining but the Celtics looked clueless on what to do.  Where was the leadership and crunch time execution?

ONE basket in the last 2:40 in just horrific late game offense.  To see Doc and this playoff tested team completely unable to score points against the Atlanta Hawks was a sobering vision. 

This same type of late game failure especially on offense has been a puzzling but unfortunately recurring theme during the Doc, Rondo and Big 3 era.  Whether it's Pierce playing "hero ball", Rondo standing around until the shot clock expires, the team focusing on one offensive set with no other viable options or lack of ball movement, these issues continue to reappear.

When it happens during the regular season it's often dismissed as 'no big deal' but these are the playoffs.  To see a team led by Doc, Rondo and 3 Hall of Famers completely wilt offensively tonight against the Atlanta Hawks is a huge concern.  Boston wanted desperately to win this game, as Doc has admitted the team is tired and needs to rest their injured players.

It's a shame that yet another failure offensively with the game on the line has caused this series to go at least another game and forced the team to overextend themselves in only the 1st round of the playoffs...