Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks: Live Score, Highlights and Reaction
Al Horford posted 24 points and 13 rebounds, Jeff Teague and Kent Bazemore added 23 points apiece and the Atlanta Hawks topped the Boston Celtics, 102-101, in a thriller at Philips Arena on Saturday night to take a 1-0 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.
This didn't look like it was going to be much of a game in the first half.
The Hawks held the Celtics to 23 percent shooting over the first two quarters and took a 51-34 lead into the break.
Atlanta led by as many as 19 points, but as Boston has done so often this season, it fought back.
The Celtics used a 31-point third period to work their way back into the game and eventually took an 83-80 lead on a Jae Crowder three-pointer in the fourth quarter.
But shortly after, Avery Bradley went down with a strained hamstring, and then Boston's defense lost some of its edge.
Teague took advantage down the stretch, blowing by Celtics' defenders and getting into the paint for layups or finding teammates for easy buckets.
Teague dished out 12 assists to go along with his scoring output.
The Hawks were able to make just enough free throws in the closing seconds to hold off the feisty C's.
Isaiah Thomas led Boston with 27 points.
Neither team shot particularly well, with the Hawks hitting on 40.7 percent of their shots and the Celtics making just 36.3 percent of theirs, although that was a massive improvement from the first half for Boston.
Game 2 is Tuesday night at 7 p.m. ET at Philips Arena.
