ATLANTA -- In the span of a few seconds, the Celtics went from a team that was desperately trying to complete a hopeless comeback to one that is anxiously holding its breath over the interpretation of the word “intentional.”

With 41 seconds left and the Celtics down four points against the Hawks, Rajon Rondo angrily disputed a call made by referee Marc Davis on a loose-ball situation that had Kevin Garnett, Brandon Bass and Josh Smith all on the floor fighting for possession.

Davis called Bass for a foul. Rondo wanted a jump ball. He got in Davis’ face, which earned him a technical foul. Then he stumbled and made contact with Davis, bumping the official from behind. That got him ejected.

The NBA rulebook is clear, except for one key, subjective word: intentional.

Any player or coach guilty of intentional physical contact with an official shall automatically be suspended without pay for one game. A fine and/or longer period of suspension will result if circumstances so dictate.

Rondo is on dangerous ground here. He was suspended for two games earlier this season when he threw a ball at referee Sean Wright during a game against the Pistons. There is no question that Rondo is a fierce competitor, but he is also developing a reputation as a player who takes it too far on occasion.

“[Doc Rivers] just told me to keep my composure, which I know,” Rondo said. “I was out there competing. I wanted to win and it just took a hold of me.”

Rondo tried to do some damage control after the game.

“Obviously, I was upset about the call,” Rondo said. “I said some words to Marc. I deserved the first tech. As I was walking, I thought he stopped. My momentum carried me into him. I even think I tripped on his foot. I didn’t intentionally chest-bump him. But that’s what it appears to be.”

That is what it appeared to be. There’s a thin hope the league could view it Rondo’s way -- he did trip – but it also appeared like Rondo could have stopped himself before making contact. It’s that split, subjective second that will render the league’s verdict.

“They all thought I was obviously in the wrong,” Rondo said of his teammates. “It may seem like I bumped him, but like I said, I didn’t intentionally chest-bump him. I know the rules. Like I said, my momentum carried me into him. I thought he stopped.”

If Rondo is suspended, it puts the Celtics in a precarious position. Already without Ray Allen, who missed the first game because of a painful ankle injury that will require surgery, Rivers essentially played with a seven-man rotation. Losing Rondo will put added pressure on Avery Bradley who has proven to be a far more effective off-guard than a point.

“It affects us a lot,” Kevin Garnett said. “Do’s our leader. But at the same time, whatever the decision is or whatever the results are we have to be able to play without him and we will be prepared either way.”

Garnett went through the same thing two years ago when he was suspended for the second game of their first-round series with the Heat after he elbowed Quentin Richardson. But that was a different situation. The Celtics wound up winning the first game and then won the second without Garnett, thanks to an inspired performance by Glen Davis. There is no one with Davis’ ability at point guard to make up for Rondo.

“It’s Doc’s system. Doc’s system is predicated toward playing hard,” Garnett said. “Obviously you want certain personnel in certain positions, but the team is built to where you move pieces and you add pieces to the structure so it runs continuously like a wheel. Rondo, he’s the head that forms Voltron. He’s the black lion.”

He was also, by far, the best player on the floor for the Celtics and the single-biggest reason they were even in a game that found them down 20-6 before the first quarter was even halfway over.

The Hawks made an adjustment from the regular season and played Rondo tight, denying him the space to pick them apart like he did in the two games he played against them earlier. They made him into a scorer and Rondo was able to oblige with 20 points on 18 shots. He also played 43 minutes and is indispensible for a team that has struggled to score points all season.

This has been an interesting season for Rondo. Along with Allen, he was one of the few players who showed up in camp ready physically ready to begin the season. They asked him to do more, and he was willing and able, but the rest of the personnel wasn’t able to run with him. Then they asked him to strike a balance and he responded with transcendent performances highlighted by absurd triple doubles coupled with an assist-binge that put him in company with John Stockton.

“The vets here have advised Rondo,” Garnett said. “He’s our young leader. We’ve always been advising him. Things I share with him I won’t share with you guys. That’s a Celtic privilege, you know what I’m saying? Other than that he’s a professional. He’s learned from countless situations that he’s been in. This year he’s been in a couple of situation that have progressed him as a young man and a young leader. There’s a lot of personalities around here and we don’t just follow people just because Doc or someone says, ‘Follow.’ You have to lead by example and we follow Rondo for a reason.” 

Rondo has picked them up all season. They may have to return the favor if they are able to go back to Boston with a split series.