ATLANTA (AP) — After letting the series go on for longer than it should, Al Horford and Boston Celtics They were anxious to finish Atlanta Hawks.
Horford made sure his former team didn’t force a Game 7.
The 36-year-old Horford hit a massive three-pointer in a late run that outlasted the Celtics Hawks 128-120 Thursday night to seal a 4-2 victory in the opening round of the playoffs.
After squandering a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter of Game 5, which cost them the chance to end the series in Boston, the Celtics decided not to wilt again.
“We talked about finishing the game,” said Horford. “The last game felt like, for the most part, we were fine. But tonight there was this sense of urgency. We both understood how important it was not to stretch the streak.”
By three points, Boston lost the series 11-0 that included three consecutive three-pointers, with Horford’s big shot on about 3 seconds from Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Tatum capped the surge with a narrow run off Horford, giving the Celtics a 121-113 lead with 2:07 remaining.
Considering how close it was all night, the eight-point lead looked like 80 in a match that saw 22 lead changes and 15 draws.
Now, bring on Philly.
The second-seeded Celtics advanced to face the third-seeded Philadelphia 76ers, who have been resting since finishing their four-game sweep of Brooklyn last Saturday.
Game 1 Monday night in Boston.
Brown led the Celtics with 32 points, while Tatum scored 30. Horford, who played in Atlanta from 2007 to 2016, scored 10 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and three blocks.
“It was huge,” Brown said. “Al came for us.”
After a 3 down from the corner, putting the Celtics ahead to stay, Horford ran back to an Atlanta fan who was talking about him from the sidelines.
“I appreciate it because he got me going. He said some things I wasn’t happy about. I took it very seriously and I was able to get that shot,” Horford said. “I appreciate him for talking trash to me. Some people you can talk trash to. Talk trash to me—it probably isn’t good for you.”
Marcus Smart was also big for Boston, scoring 22 points and excelling on offense down the stretch, including a drive and plate setting up Horford’s shot.
After carrying the Falcons to that improbable victory at TD Garden, Trae Young ran out of steam in the second half. He’s missed 12 of 13 shots over the last two quarters.
Young had 30 points and 10 assists, but only finished 9 of 28 from the field.
Despite a hugely disappointing season that included a coaching change and another first-round exit from the playoffs, Young is optimistic about the Hawks’ future.
He is especially looking forward to a full season under Quinn Snyder, who took over from Nate McMillan with 21 regular season games remaining.
“Queen is the future,” Young said. “I believe in it here, this city will win the championship.”
Dejounte Murray returned to the Hawks’ lineup after serving a one-game suspension for colliding with an official at the end of Atlanta’s Game 4 loss.
Murray seemed a bit out of sync, missing all five of his shots in the first half. He was better in the second half but only managed 14 points.
The Falcons needed more to keep their season going.
“We’ve been there,” Snyder said.
Young forced the series back in Atlanta with a long three-pointer that stunned the Celtics 119=117 in Boston, capping off a Hawks comeback in the fourth quarter.
After his 38-point, 13-assist effort, Young maintained an 18-point lead in the first quarter.
But the Celtics are finally stressing out the Hawks star, whose heroics forced Janet Jackson to postpone her scheduled concert Thursday until Friday to make room for Game 6.
Now, State Farm Arena is wide open for the summer.
Grant steps
Boston forward Grant Williams didn’t even play in three of the first five games in the series.
But he did get some big minutes in the clincher.
While the stat sheet didn’t show up much—three points, two rebounds, one steal, one assist in 17 and a half minutes—his teammates praised his contribution. They also praised his professionalism for not making a complaint when he was put on the bench earlier in the series.
“When his number was called, he went up,” Horford said. “We’re not closing this game if Grant doesn’t step up and play the way he did.”
Tip-ins
Celtics: Boston finished 18 of 42 from 3-point range. Every Boston player made at least one runaway, as did three players off the bench. … Malcolm Brogdon 17 points. … Tatum led the Celtics with 14 rebounds.
Falcons: All five of Atlanta’s starters scored in double figures. DeAndre Hunter scored 20 points, John Collins added 16 points, and Clint Kabila finished with 10 .. … Onika Okonjo scored 11 rebounds.
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