"We've won games this year without some of our key players," coach Doc Rivers said. "This is a tough-minded basketball team, and having a lot of veterans on your team helps with that."
Rondo will be back in the lineup when the series shifts to Boston for the next two games. Also, the Celtics are still hoping to get a contribution from shooting guard Ray Allen, who's missed the first two games of the series with a sprained right ankle.
Rivers gave his team Wednesday off.
As for the Hawks, they're just hoping for the best with Smith.
"I don't want to think about" not having him for Game 3, forward Marvin Williams said, shaking his head. "I'm just trying to stay optimistic at this point."
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