NBA News Wire
Celtics 115, Hawks 104
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
BOSTON — Guard Jerryd Bayless scored 21 of his season-high 29 points in the second half, and the Boston Celtics snapped a five-game losing streak with a 115-104 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.
Guard Rajon Rondo had 22 points and 11 assists, and Jeff Green scored 17 as Celtics topped 100 points for the first time since beating the Milwaukee Bucks 102-86 on Feb. 10, which was also Boston’s last victory. The Celtics (20-39) held Atlanta to one rebound in the fourth quarter while pulling down 17.
Forward Brandon Bass added 14 points and center Kris Humphries scored 10 as all five Boston starters scored in double figures. Forward Gerald Wallace added 12 points and a team-high 10 rebounds off the bench.
Bass and Green pulled down eight boards apiece for Boston, which outrebounded Atlanta 46-29.
Guard Jeff Teague had 26 points to lead Atlanta, which lost for the 10th time in 11 games and is 1-5 since the All-Star break. The Hawks (26-31) are clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Forward DeMarre Carroll added 24 points, guard Kyle Korver scored 17 and forward Elton Brand finished with 10 points and seven rebounds for Atlanta.
Both teams were short-handed because of injuries. Boston used just nine players and Atlanta dressed only 10, but the Celtics seemed to have more depth at the end as the Hawks tried to rally.
The Celtics led 81-79 entering the fourth quarter and opened it with a basket by Humphries and a 3-pointer by Bayless to pull ahead 86-79.
The Hawks pulled within 92-91 when Mack made one of two foul shots with 6:43 remaining.
Atlanta’s struggles from the line. Carroll also went 1-for-2 from the line with 4:49 left, and guard Lou Williams missed on an opportunity for a four-point play after drawing a foul while making a 3-pointer with 3:31 left and Boston leading 103-97.
The Celtics pulled away late as Bayless added a jumper to extend the lead to 113-102 with 50 seconds left. Bayless posted his highest point total since joining the Celtics in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies on Jan. 6.
The Hawks opened the game on an 11-2 run and led 23-8 before Boston rallied at the end of the period to trail 27-25 entering the second quarter. The Celtics shot 56.5 percent in the second quarter and led 58-56 at halftime.
Rondo played despite skipping Boston’s loss at Sacramento last week in the second game on back-to-back nights.
NOTES: Olympic giant slalom gold medalist Ted Ligety received a standing ovation and chants of “U-S-A!” when he was introduced in the first quarter. … Hawks F Kyle Korver extended his streak of games making a 3-pointer to 126 by going 2-for-2 from beyond the arc in the first quarter. … Boston C Kelly Olynyk (sprained toe), F Jared Sullinger (concussion) and G Avery Bradley (ankle) all sat out for the Celtics. … F Paul Millsap did not travel with the Hawks because of a right knee contusion.
