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FLAGRANT FOUL: Atlanta Hawks forward Marvin Williams employing a hold that would be more appropriate in a wrestling match as he tries to stop Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo. -- PHOTO: AP
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BOSTON - KEVIN Garnett's first priority on Sunday, after laying waste to the Atlanta Hawks' self-worth and whipping a packed arena into a deafening frenzy, was to go to sleep. It figured to be a very long nap.
'I've been up near 24 hours,' he said after leading the Celtics to a 99-65 demolition of the Hawks at TD Banknorth Garden.
The Celtics were everything they were supposed to be - relentless, intimidating, defensively suffocating - as they closed out the Hawks and advanced to a second-round match-up with the Cleveland Cavaliers that begins here tonight.
But the ease of this victory contrasted sharply with the stress of the series.
The eighth-seeded Hawks never yielded, never lost on their home court and forced the Celtics, the National Basketball Association's most dominant team this season, to play a Game Seven in the first round.
The physical and emotional toll was evident in the look of relief on the Celtics' faces.
Garnett's insomnia began after a 100-103 loss in Atlanta on Friday and stretched right through the weekend.
'I should get some sleep tonight,' he said.
One presumes that commissioner David Stern and the network executives will rest easy, too, now that the Eastern Conference's most star-studded team have avoided a spectacular upset.
The Celtics, who won 66 games in the regular season, never expected such suspense so early in the play-offs.
But they dispensed with the drama quickly on Sunday.
Boston surged to an early double-digit lead, knocking the bravado out of the Hawks with a fierce defensive assault.
Atlanta scored only 26 points in the first half - a play-off-record low for a Celtics opponent - and trailed by 18 points at half-time.
The opening minutes of the third quarter were typical of the game, and decisive.
Joe Johnson, who led the Hawks to Friday's victory, had the ball swiped by Paul Pierce on one possession, then his shot was blocked by Kendrick Perkins on the next.
A minute later, the Hawks unravelled.
The young forward Marvin Williams, trying to prevent a fast-break lay-up, grabbed Rajon Rondo in mid-air, sending Rondo crashing to the floor. Williams was called for a flagrant foul and ejected.
Rondo, who was unhurt, made his free throws, and Ray Allen followed with a three-pointer that gave the Celtics a 56-28 lead.
The lead was as much as 38 points before the Celtics eased up.
It was an unfortunate end for the upstart Hawks, who converted a 37-win regular season into a play-off berth and a two-week thrill ride.
They were quick and brash, the youngest team to make the post-season. But their immaturity cost them in the end.
Josh Smith, their fourth-year star forward, made just three of 11 shots and had five turnovers.
Rookie centre Al Horford went three for 12. As a team, the Hawks shot 29.3 per cent.
'We are so inexperienced, and this is Game Seven,' said Johnson, one of two Hawks (along with Mike Bibby) with a substantial play-off resume.
'We acted like this was just a regular game and we didn't come to play at all.'
The locals were a bit anxious at tip-off, but grew louder and more confident as the Celtics' lead increased.
The Celtics had a 68-34 lead in the third quarter when Garnett dived to the floor to chase a loose ball.
Seconds later, he converted a lay-up, pumped his fist, tugged his jersey to show his heart, then screamed, 'It's over!' as he brushed his fingers across his neck.
He had 18 points and 11 assists to lead the way. Perkins came up with 10 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots.
ASSOCIATED PRESS, NEW YORK TIMES
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