Dec

18

Big Ticket Comes Up Big In Fourth As Boston Burns Atlanta 88-85; 16th Straight Win

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap 

The Boston Celtics on Wednesday night accomplished a feat they were unable to perform during their Post Season run to the NBA Championship; they defeated the Atlanta Hawks at the Phillips Arena in Atlanta 88-85. The “Green Team” snatched the victory in the fourth quarter as All-Star forward Kevin Garnett scored 10 of his 18 points in the period. Hawks guard Joe Johnson led all scorers with 20 points, as Atlanta once again gave Boston a battle before finally succumbing. The victory keeps the Celtics 16 game winning streak alive, it was also their tenth straight road win.

Atlanta came of age last Spring as they took the Celtics to seven game in the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs before they fell at the “New Garden.” The Celtics had the good fortune of having home court advantage through out the Playoffs, other wise they would have lost in the first round as they could not win a game in Atlanta. (The problem continued in the second round against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was not until the Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons, that they first won a game on the road.)

This game was a lot like a Playoff battle, as it was low scoring and intense on both end of the floor throughout the night. Boston held a razor thin lead of 22-21 at the end of the first quarter. Atlanta would hold the same slim advantage as the game reached the half with the Hawks on top 43-42.

Atlanta would lead by as much as 6 points in the third, as Marvin Williams hit a bucket from 7 feet away putting his team ahead 53-47 with 6:52 in the period. The Celtics would cut the lead in half by the end of the third, as Atlanta led 62-59 heading into the final 12 minutes.

The Hawks started the fourth out strong as Flip Murray drained a 28 foot trey to put the team up 67-61 with 9:53 remaining. The Celtics stormed back and knotted up the contest at 72-72 as Paul Pierce hit a mid-range jumper with 5:35 to play, and took the lead 74-72 as Rajon Rondo drove the lane and put the ball in the cylinder with 4:58 in the period. The lead would volley back and forth until with 30 seconds left, Garnett hit a shot putting the Boston ahead to stay at 85-84.

The “Big Ticket” scored 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 steal, while Paul Pierce also had 18 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal. Ray Allen added 16 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, another big game 15 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals.

Joe Johnson had 20 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals, Marvin Williams added 16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal. Josh Smith scored 14 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block, while Mike Bibby also put up 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. Boston with the win improves to 24-2, Atlanta has a 15-10 mark.

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