BOSTON -- One of the last words to describe the Boston Celtics Game 3 overtime win over the Atlanta Hawks is pretty.
There were 103 missed field goals between the two teams (Celtics shot 32-for-79, Atlanta went 34-for-90), a combined 8-for-33 three-point shooting effort, and 30 turnovers.
Isnt that what gritty playoff basketball is all about, though?
It wasnt pretty, said Paul Pierce (21 points, 3-12 FG). But who said it has to be pretty? At the end of the day, we have to win four games and we won two. It got tight there.
The Celtics and Hawks will face off again on Sunday at the TD Garden. And if Friday was a grind-it-out-type game, a critical Game 4 shouldnt differ.
Its just experience as far as us being in those situations a number of times, said Pierce. The coaching staff has been in those situations a number of times. They dont panic and they understand what it takes. We just try and find a way, and we did.