No doubt Russia did a lot to provoke them. Russia is a like a classic play ground bully. They taunt you in the hope that you throw the first punch, so they can beat you senseless all the while saying “he started it”.
The obvious smart thing to do is not to rise to the bait. Why the Georgians did is a mystery, but it was a very very stupid thing to do.
My understanding is that the Georgians never crossed into Russian territory. Am I mistaken?