The Atlanta Hawks produced a comeback for the ages to overturn a 30-point deficit and defeat the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics 120-118 on Monday.
Boston, who had been confirmed as having clinched the Eastern Conference’s high seed earlier on Monday, appeared to be cruising in the direction of a powerful win after outscoring Atlanta 44-22 within the first quarter.
The Celtics raced right into a 30-point benefit halfway by means of the second quarter earlier than Atlanta awakened and started chipping into the Boston lead.
The Hawks saved the rally going into the second half, narrowing the hole additional with a 34-22 third quarter earlier than harnessing that momentum into the fourth quarter to full a dramatic win.
De’Andre Hunter led the Hawks scoring with 24 factors, together with a decisive three-pointer with 10 seconds remaining that gave Atlanta a 4-level cushion and successfully made the sport secure.
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Hunter was backed with 22 factors from Bogdan Bogdanovic whereas Dejounte Murray completed with 19 factors, 15 assists and 5 rebounds.
Hawks coach Quin Snyder praised the unrelenting assist of the Atlanta residence crowd in serving to drive his group to a outstanding victory.
“Tonight the way we started the game, and the way Boston started, their energy really gave us a lift,” Snyder mentioned of the Atlanta followers.
“Anytime you’re down that much you have to have something out of the ordinary a little bit to get back in the game.
“And when you have a group of people you know who are behind you thick or thin, rain or shine — and there was a lot of rain early — they were a big part of helping the sun come out tonight.”
Atlanta improved to 32-39 and stay in tenth place within the East, heading in the right direction for a spot within the play-in match.
– ‘A good lesson’ –
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla mentioned his group paid the value for not killing the sport off, including that Atlanta’s physicality had triggered his group issues within the second half.
“It’s a good lesson,” Mazzulla mentioned. “Credit to them for battling back.
“I thought their physicality — they were extremely physical as soon as the ball got past half-court. I thought that messed up our offense, and they made us work for everything.”
Celtics star Jayson Tatum had no excuses after the defeat.
“It’s tough, you won’t win every game you play,” Tatum mentioned. “We were up a lot but we didn’t do the things we needed to do to win.
“The key is to not over-react. Take it on the chin and get ready for (the next game).”
Elsewhere, Donte DiVincenzo placed on a 3-level taking pictures clinic to end with a profession-greatest 40 factors because the New York Knicks saved rolling in the direction of the postseason with a 124-99 blowout towards the league-worst Detroit Pistons.
DiVincenzo drained 11-of-20 from exterior the arc, simply three away from Klay Thompson’s single-sport file of 14 set in 2018.
Jalen Brunson added 28 factors because the Knicks improved to 43-28 to stay fourth within the East.
In San Antonio, Phoenix Suns duo Kevin Durant and Devin Booker mixed for 65 factors nevertheless it was not sufficient to forestall the Spurs from snatching an upset 104-102 win.
Jeremy Sochan and Devin Vassell every completed with 26 factors as Western Conference basement membership San Antonio claimed solely their sixteenth win of the season.
At the alternative finish of the Western Conference, first-positioned Denver trounced the Memphis Grizzlies 128-103 to edge nearer to the No.1 seeding.
The defending NBA champions went wire-to-wire in a simple win, with Nikola Jokic as soon as once more main the way in which, with 29 factors, 11 rebounds and eight assists.
The Nuggets lead the Western Conference with a 51-21 file, one win away from second-positioned Oklahoma (49-21).
In Salt Lake City, Luka Doncic grabbed his nineteenth triple-double of the season to end with 29 factors, 12 rebounds and 13 assists because the Dallas Mavericks outgunned the Utah Jazz 115-105.
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)
