Ainge: C's view Game 6 as 'must win'

Danny Ainge made his weekly appearance on The Big Show on Thursday afternoon, just hours before the Celtics and Hawks play Game 6 of their first-round series at TD Garden. Ainge was first asked about Game 5, an 87-86 Hawks win that saw the Celtics fail to execute offensively down the stretch. 

"We didn't play well, I didn't think," said Ainge. "We had good spurts to get back in the game. It probably wasn't a game we deserved, although we had chances."

As for Game 6, Ainge expects the most intense game of the series to date from both Atlanta and Boston.

"I think both teams view this as a must win," Ainge said. "You have to. Obviously you have another shot at it in Game 7, but I think our guys will approach this game tonight, and Doc will coach it, like it's the end of the season type of game, elimination game. And that's how they'll coach it and play it."

Hawks co-owner Michael Gearon Jr. referred to Kevin Garnett as "the dirtiest" player in the league on Wednesday. Ainge felt it was "pretty obvious" that Gearon was trying to influence the officials for Game 6 but felt it would have no impact on Garnett's performance.

"I don't think even knows it, I don't think KG has any idea that anyone is saying it," said Ainge. "And if he did, I don't think he would care. He's been through this, it's water off a ducks back."

Rajon Rondo was suspended for Game 2 following his contact with official Marc Davis at the end of Game 1. Ainge was asked if he's convinced that Rondo will not put himself and his team in that kind of situation again.

"You know, I'm not convinced of that, no," Ainge said. "I'm not worried about it, I think he is one of those types of guys that is maturing incrementally, but to sit there and say he'll never have an incident like that? You just hope that it's less and less and less and he'll mature. … I think he's learned from it, but I'm not gonna say that for sure."

To hear the interview click on The Big Show audio on demand page. For more Celtics news visit weei.com/celtics.