1. The difference was simple. Mike Bibby had a combined two assists in the first two games of the series. He had eight Saturday. Josh Smith had 19 total points in the first two games. He scored 27 Saturday.

2. The Celtics' bench was an issue. The substitutes accounted for just 11 points, with only three points after three quarters. In the first two games, the bench had 36 and 28 points.

3. Joe Johnson is capable of showing some emotion. Johnson let out a holler and bumped with Josh Smith following two straight 3-pointers midway through the second quarter that put the Hawks ahead 42-33.