After letting the sequence pass longer than it must have, Al Horford and the Boston Celtics had been keen to complete off the Atlanta Hawks.
Horford made certain his former workforce did not pressure a Game 7.
The 36-year-old Horford hit an enormous 3-pointer in a past due run that carried the Celtics previous the Hawks 128-120 Thursday evening for a 4-2 triumph within the opening-round playoff sequence.
After squandering a 13-point lead within the fourth quarter of Game 5, which price them a possibility to finish the sequence in Boston, the Celtics had been made up our minds to not wilt once more.
“We talked about finishing the game,” Horford mentioned. “I felt the final recreation, for essentially the most phase, we had been high-quality. But this night there used to be that sense of urgency. We understood how necessary it used to be to not lengthen the sequence.
Down by way of 3, Boston ripped off an 11-0 run that incorporated 3 instantly 3-pointers, with Horford’s giant shot sandwiched round 3s from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Tatum capped the spurt with a dunk off a Horford omit, giving the Celtics a 121–113 lead with 2:07 closing.
Given how shut it have been all evening, an eight-point lead gave the impression of 80 in a recreation that featured 22 lead adjustments and 15 ties.
Now, carry it on Philly.
The second-seeded Celtics complicated to stand the third-seeded Philadelphia 76ers, who have been resting since finishing their four-game sweep of Brooklyn final Saturday.
Game 1 is Monday evening in Boston.
Brown led the Celtics with 32 issues, whilst Tatum had 30. Horford, who performed in Atlanta from 2007-16, chipped in with 10 issues, 12 rebounds, two steals and 3 blocks.
“It was huge,” Brown mentioned. “Al came through for us.”
After flattening a three from the nook, which put the Celtics forward to stick, Horford yapped again at an Atlanta fan who have been trash speaking him from the sideline.
“I favored it as it were given me going. He mentioned some stuff that I wasn’t more than happy with. I took it to center and I used to be ready 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’s probably not good for you.”
Marcus Smart additionally got here up giant for Boston, scoring 22 issues and brilliantly working the offense down the stretch, together with a power and dish that arrange Horford’s shot.
After wearing the Hawks to that fantastic victory at TD Garden, Trae Young ran out of steam in the second one part. He ignored 12 of 13 photographs over the overall two quarters.
Young had 30 issues and 10 assists, however completed simply 9 of 28 from the sphere.
Despite a in large part disappointing season that incorporated a training alternate and any other first-round go out from the playoffs, Young is positive in regards to the Hawks’ long run.
He’s particularly having a look ahead to a complete season below Quin Snyder, who took over from Nate McMillan with 21 video games left within the common season.
“Quin is the future,” Young mentioned. “I believe with him here, this city’s going to win a championship.”
Dejounte Murray returned to the Hawks’ lineup after serving a one-game suspension for bumping an legitimate on the finish of Atlanta’s Game 4 loss.
Murray appeared slightly out of sync, lacking all 5 of his photographs within the first part. He used to be higher in the second one part however nonetheless controlled simply 14 issues.
The Hawks wanted a couple of extra to stay their season going.
“We were right there,” Snyder mentioned.
Young compelled the sequence again to Atlanta with a protracted 3-pointer that shocked the Celtics 119=117 in Boston, capping the Hawks’ comeback within the fourth quarter.
Coming off his 38-point, 13-assist effort, Young saved it going with 18 issues within the first quarter.
But the Celtics in any case clamped down at the Hawks celebrity, whose heroics had compelled Janet Jackson to put off her scheduled Thursday live performance till Friday to make room for Game 6.
Now, State Farm Arena is huge open for the summer time.
GRANT STEPS UP
Boston ahead Grant Williams did not even play in 3 of the primary 5 video games within the sequence.
But he were given some giant mins within the clincher.
While the stat sheet did not display a lot — 3 issues, two rebounds, one thieve, one help in 17 1/2 mins — his teammates lauded his contribution. They additionally praised his professionalism for no longer complaining when he used to be planted at the bench previous within the sequence.
“When his number was called, he stepped up,” Horford mentioned. “We don’t close this game if Grant doesn’t step up and play the way that he did.”
TIP-INS
Celtics: Boston completed 18 of 42 from 3-point vary. Every Boston starter made no less than one from lengthy vary, as did 3 avid gamers off the bench. … Malcolm Brogdon had 17 issues. … Tatum led the Celtics with 14 rebounds.
Hawks: All 5 Atlanta starters scored in double figures. De’Andre Hunter had 20 issues, John Collins added 16 and Clint Capela completed with 10. … Onyeka Okongwu grabbed 11 rebounds.