Boston -- Hawks point guard Mike Bibby may have provided the needed push to end the franchise's playoff drought. But in the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against Boston, he has yet to deliver a mega-game.

The 10-year veteran, acquired from Sacramento in February, was kept in check again and heckled relentlessly for his troubles in Game 5.

Charles Krupa/AP (ENLARGE)

Hawks point guard Mike Bibby looks for a teammate to pass to after getting past the Celtics' Paul Pierce. Bibby finished with six points, one assist and three turnovers. \uFEFF

Your Turn [an error occurred while processing this directive]

COMPLETE COVERAGE OF GAME 5 Game Story Bradley: Back to reality Sidebar: Bibby struggles Notebook: Teammates think Horford got hosed Photos: Game Shots Friday's game at Philips sold out Vent! About the Hawks Off-site The buzz in Boston BY THE NUMBERS Game 5 box score • Playoffs leaders: Teams • Player scoring

Bibby scored only six points and had just one assist as the Hawks were routed 110-85 Wednesday.

"They shadow the ball a lot," Bibby said.

Boston coach Doc Rivers thought his point guard, Rajon Rondo, did a good job of pressuring Bibby.

"Rondo set the tone with his ball pressure," Rivers said.

Bibby and Joe Johnson were greeted by two and three defenders when coming off picks. Bibby said that made his night tougher.

"Just make the basketball play, you don't want to force anything," Bibby said. "Just make the basketball play."

Hawks coach Mike Woodson didn't believe the Celtics shut down Bibby.

"I don't think they did take Bibby out [of the game], Bibby just had some shots that he didn't make," Woodson said. "For some reason we are just playing a little bit differently here."

The Boston fans love to make a villain out of opposing players. Bibby stepped into that role when he called them "bandwagon jumpers."

From the moment he led the Hawks out onto the court, the capacity crowd at TD Banknorth Garden booed Bibby and then let him have it every time he touched the ball. They kept up the antics throughout the game.

Johnson also had to battle through the traps and double-teams.

"They trap him pretty much every time he comes off picks, too," Johnson said. "They try and make it tough."

For some reason the Hawks didn't use Bibby in pick-and-roll plays with Johnson. Johnson came free for open shots in Game 4 off the play.

Johnson, the hero of Game 4 with 20 fourth-quarter points, got into early foul trouble Wednesday.

The Hawks trailed 15-12 when Johnson picked up his second foul with

4:26 left in the first quarter. Marvin Williams, who had just been replaced by Josh Childress, came back in for Johnson. When Johnson returned with 7:03 left in the second quarter, the Hawks were down 41-28.

Johnson wanted to return sooner.

"But Coach felt it was best for me to sit there with two fouls," Johnson said. "It's tough, but the last two games we played here it's just a coincidence that I picked up two quick fouls in the first quarter."

Not only was Bibby's offensive game off, he had a tough time with Rondo again. The second-year guard from Kentucky turned the corner and drove the ball into the heart of the Hawks defense with ease.

Rookie point guard Acie Law IV spelled Bibby in the second quarter and played nearly five minutes in the first half.

Bibby was the lone Hawks starter who didn't score in double figures.

Without Bibby in a comfortable flow, the offense seemed to bog down. The crisp ball movement displayed in Games 3 and 4 was not present.

"We only got four fast-break points," Bibby said. "We really didn't get the stops when we needed them."