HAWKS 83, CELTICS 74: Josh Smith had 22 points and a playoff career-best 18 rebounds as host Atlanta won the opener of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference series.

Jeff Teague scored 15 points and the Hawks held on with five late free throws after letting a 19-point lead dissipate.

Kevin Garnett had 20 points and 12 rebounds and Rajon Rondo had 20 points and 11 assists before being ejected in the final minute for Boston. The Celtics missed all 11 of their 3-point attempts while playing without stellar outside shooter Ray Allen (ankle).

Game 2 is Tuesday in Atlanta.

Atlanta saw a 64-45 lead dwindle to four with under a minute to play, then watched Boston nearly came up with a steal during a scramble. Brandon Bass was called for a foul with 41 seconds left and Rondo vehemently disputed the call before bumping official Marc Davis, drawing two technical fouls and the ejection.

Joe Johnson hit the technical and Smith followed with two free throws to give Atlanta an 81-74 lead. Teague hit two free throws nine seconds later to put the game away.

Teague also made two big shots after Boston pulled with five points with 3:29 to play. He hit a 3-pointer with 3:06 remaining and nailed a running floater with just under two minutes left to give Atlanta a 78-70 advantage.

Kirk Hinrich scored 12 points and Johnson added 11 for the Hawks. Boston’s Paul Pierce had just 12 points on 5-of-19 shooting.

Atlanta already led by a dozen before the game was four minutes old as Josh Smith’s three-point play made it 16-4. The Hawks led 49-35 at halftime.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Johnson was 3 of 15 and missed all nine 3-point attempts … Allen had never missed a playoff game in his 16-year career, a stretch that spanned 110 outings. ... Jason Collins started at center for Atlanta in place of ailing Zaza Pachulia (foot) … Garnett was just 1 of 9 in the first half.