You can always count on the Atlanta Hawks to roll over when you need them to

No doubt about it, the Boston Celtics were reeling coming into Atlanta last night.

They were riding their first two-game losing streak of the season and frankly, they should have beaten the short-handed Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday and the not good Toronto Raptors on Sunday but such is life in the NBA: where regular season boredom happens nightly.

Naturally, you had to be fearful of the Hawks since they swept the season series last season (four games) against the Celtics and pushed them to seven games during the 2008 playoffs in the first round.

Maybe Atlanta (8-6) forgot they had a game last night and spent Sunday in one of Atlanta's famous strip clubs? Whatever the reason, they never showed up in a pathetic 99-76 loss to the Celts (10-4).

If only the Hawks had any fans that cared, they would have demanded a refund for the garbage they had to endure.

Rajon Rondo sat out his second straight game with a hamstring injury and Nate Robinson played well for the second time in a row as a starter.

Nate will never be a passer first but he notched 16 points and 10 assists. Two other Cs had double-doubles: Kevin Garnett (17 points, 11 rebounds) and Shaquille O'Neal (13 points, 11 rebounds) who I have dubbed "Mr. First Quarter."

Paul Pierce added 13 points as they was essentially over in the first quarter (really) as Boston built a 26-point lead (39-13). From there, it was extended garbage time as the Celtics' three biggest scrubs: Luke Harangody, Von Wafer and Avery Bradley (NBA debut) all played at least six minutes each.

Mike Bibby led the Hawks with 11 points, Josh Powell and Jamal Crawford had 10 points apiece.

Boston hosts the New Jersey Nets tomorrow night on Thanksgiving Eve, aka drinking in your hometown night.