• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Garnett and Robinson lead Celts to easy win over Hawks

Nov 23, 2010 - 3:21 AM Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Kevin Garnett ended with 17 points and 11 rebounds and the Boston Celtics put an emphatic end to a two-game losing streak by pounding the struggling Atlanta Hawks, 99-76, at Philips Arena.

Nate Robinson, starting in place of the injured Rajon Rondo, drilled four three-pointers en route to a 16-point, 10-assist effort. Shaquille O'Neal added 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Paul Pierce scored 13 for Boston, which shot 53.3 percent from the floor in the rout.

The Hawks, led by Mike Bibby's 11 points, have lost six of their past eight after starting the season 6-0.

The Celtics, coming off losses to Oklahoma City and Toronto, were without Rondo for the second consecutive game due to a hamstring injury.

Nevertheless, everything they tried in the early going -- pick-and-rolls, penetration, spot-up shooting -- worked nearly to perfection in a first quarter that saw them connect on 18-of-25 from the field.

O'Neal had three easy dunks in the first six minutes, and Ray Allen's reverse layup near the five-minute mark resulted in a healthy 24-6 cushion.

The Celtics held the Hawks to four field goals in the opening frame, resulting in a 39-13 contest after 12 minutes.

"We came out with a lot of energy tonight," Garnett said. "Getting beat these last two times out, and Atlanta sweeping us last year, gave us incentive going into tonight."

In a fitting end to the half, a driving Pierce was blocked by Al Horford, but the loose ball wound up in Allen's hands on the left wing, where the veteran sharpshooter nailed a three for a commanding 64-42 lead heading to the break.

Things didn't change after the intermission. Pierce's baby jumper capped an eight-point run 4 1/2 minutes in for a 72-44 advantage, and after a Bibby three-ball, the Celtics scored seven consecutive points for a 32-point game.

Atlanta never challenged the 85-56 deficit it faced in a final frame that featured both team's reserves.

Hawks head coach Larry Drew was not very pleased with his team's effort.

"This was very embarrassing; very, very embarrassing. If I had to sum it up in one word...embarrassing," a disgruntled Drew said. "What I see with our team right now, I don't feel real good about. We are not coming out ready to play, and we aren't playing with a sense of urgency."

Game Notes

Atlanta won all four meetings with Boston a season ago...The Hawks fell to 3-5 at home. They lost just seven games at Philips Arena last season...Atlanta made 34.6 percent from the field, as Horford and Joe Johnson combined to shoot 5-for-20, each netting six points...Allen provided nine points for the Celtics, who owned a 50-30 rebounding edge.