Garnett is off for some family time

WALTHAM - As much as Kevin Garnett loves practice, something important had to be occurring if he missed one just three days before the playoff opener. And in this instance, it was definitely important.

Coach Doc Rivers said Garnett missed yesterday's practice because of family reasons, and an NBA source said Garnett's wife, Brandi, went into labor with the couple's first child. Garnett, who wasn't available for comment, is expected to attend today's practice.

"I didn't notice he was missing," Celtics forward Paul Pierce joked. "He had personal matters. We'll see him [today]. Nah, we won't need him. I'm just sure he is taking care of what he needs to take care of. It's probably very important . . .

"I know it's for a good reason because Kevin doesn't like to miss practice. I'm still trying to find out."

Waiting game

Celtics-Hawks will be the last playoff series to start, with Game 1 slated for 8:30 p.m. Sunday at TD Banknorth Garden.

"It keeps up, pretty much, on schedule with what we've been doing all year with night games," Pierce said. "There will be about four or five games played before we step out on the court. The anticipation is there, but I don't mind it."

Said Rivers: "I'd prefer playing Saturday or Sunday afternoon, Sunday at 6 or 7 [p.m.] . . . But there is nothing you can do about it, anyways, so you just show up and play."

Quiet response

Atlanta forward Josh Smith has said his team is "going to shock the world" by upsetting the Celtics. Teammate Josh Childress has said he doesn't think "there's any position where you can say we are severely undermanned against them."

The Celtics were 3-0 with an average margin of victory of 14.2 points in the regular season against Atlanta, which is making its first playoff appearance since 1999.

The Celtics aren't getting caught up in the Hawk talk.

"Whatever they got to do to get themselves motivated up for a series," Pierce said. "Our team? We don't have any problem with that. We're going to play regardless."

Said Rivers: "You don't have to be a bulletin-board guy anymore. Back in the day, when the statement was created, you would see something in the paper and actually put it on the bulletin board and the players would read it. Now you don't have to do that anymore, everyone will tell them. We don't need that to get it going."

Ready after rest

Forward James Posey and guard Rajon Rondo were given the night off during the Celtics' regular-season finale against New Jersey Wednesday. Rondo, who watched the game from the bench, said Wednesday he felt fine. Posey said yesterday he received treatment in the locker room during the game for very minor injuries. "It was just a lot of treatment just trying to get ready," Posey said . . . The Hawks practiced in Atlanta yesterday and had a lengthy film session. The Hawks arrive tomorrow afternoon . . . Hawks coach Mike Woodson promised his players he would either get a tattoo, shave his head, or get an earring if they made the playoffs. He chose to go bald . . . Rondo received an award from the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children last night for his community service to the organization . . . Leon Powe and Brian Scalabrine joined Governor Deval Patrick for the unveiling of a playoff banner at the State House yesterday.