Rajon Rando was back Friday night after serving a one-game suspension for bumping into a referee in Game 1 of the Boston Celtics’ first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks, and the all-star guard was his typical all-around sensational self.
Rondo fashioned a triple-double and the Celtics held on at home in overtime, 90-84, after a fourth-quarter meltdown to take a 2-1 series advantage.
The Hawks played without forward Josh Smith, who suffered a knee injury near the end of Game 2 in Atlanta. Rondo seemed happy to be back on the floor, getting 17 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds. Guard Ray Allen played for the first time in a month and contributed 13 points off the bench for Boston.
Joe Johnson had 29 points and guard Jeff Teague 23. The Hawks will try to even the series and retake home court advantage in Game 4 on Sunday. Smith’s availability for that game is uncertain.
