Celtics Pierce Hawks In Final Seconds Win 103-102

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap

The Atlanta Hawks lost their first game of the 2008-2009 NBA season, and may have enhanced their reputation in the process. Defending NBA Champions the Boston Celtics needed every second of 48 minutes to defeat the Hawks Wednesday night at the “New Garden” 103-102. Boston forward Paul Pierce won the game at the buzzer as he sank a 20 foot shot. However the Hawks had sent a clear message after starting out the campaign 6-0, and taking the “Green Team” to the limit before succumbing. The message is “We are good, we are for real, and we believe in ourselves.” Suddenly the rest of the Association is in full agreement.

Atlanta built their reputation last season against the Celtics in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs as they took the eventual NBA Champions to a seven game series. If Boston did not have home court advantage, the playoffs may have taken a different turn. However the Celtics by virtue of having the best record in the Association during the regular season did have more games at home and won the series 4-3. The Hawks on Wednesday went a step further, as they showed the “Green Team” that this season, they will be dangerous where ever they play.

Atlanta got off to a quick start and held a 31-24 lead at the end of the first quarter. Boston actually held a 1 point lead with 33 seconds left in the half, but Mario West split a pair at the line for the Hawks and the contest was deadlocked at the half 51-51. The game stayed tight throughout the third quarter, as the lead switched back and forth, but Atlanta went into the final 12 minutes of regulation leading 77-76. Boston had the lead for most of the fourth quarter, but their advantage was never larger than 4 points at any time in the period. The Hawks bench exploded when Marvin Williams drained a 23 foot trey with seven seconds left to put his team ahead 102-101. But the elation would turn to frustration when Pierce sank his game winning bucket as time expired.

Pierce scored a game high 34 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, in the Boston victory. Kevin Garnett recorded a double-double, 25 points, 12 boards, 4 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal, Ray Allen put in 17 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal. Rajon Rondo had just 5 points, but dished off 10 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal.

Joe Johnson led the way for Atlanta, 28 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals. Mike Bibby had 16 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, Marvin Williams added 14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist. Another nice game off the bench from the veteran guard Flip Murray 14 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, Maurice Evans dropped 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal. Boston improves to 8-1 while the Hawks are now 6-1.

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