Hawks get stars back from injuries, escape struggling champs Celtics in overtime thriller
Trae Young had 28 points and 11 assists to help the visiting Atlanta Hawks extend their winning streak to three games by defeating the Boston Celtics 119-115 in overtime on Saturday (Sunday, January 19, Manila time).
Dyson Daniels added 23 points for the Hawks, who won despite shooting 9-for-37 from 3-point range and committing 18 turnovers. Atlanta received 19 points and 13 rebounds from Onyeka Okongwu and 14 points and 13 boards from Jalen Johnson.
Young, Johnson and De’Andre Hunter (16 points) all returned after missing time because of injuries.
Boston trailed by three in overtime when Jayson Tatum missed a 3-point attempt with 6.6 seconds to play. Tatum had 23 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in the loss.
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 24 points but went 9-for-27 from the floor. Derrick White added 21 points and eight rebounds.
The Celtics have a 3-4 record in their past seven games overall and have lost five of their past nine games at home.
Boston played without big men Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, who were held out since the Celtics were playing their second game in as many nights.
Atlanta was 0-for-5 from 3-point territory in the opening quarter and trailed 33-21 after 12 minutes of action, but two Bogdan Bogdanovic free throws capped a 21-7 run that put the Hawks in front 42-40 with 3:59 left in the second quarter. Atlanta outscored Boston 31-15 in the second and had a 52-48 halftime lead.
The Celtics shot 35.3 percent (18 of 51) from the field in the first half, when they missed 18 of their 23 3-point attempts.
A Young floater handed Atlanta a 64-55 lead with 9:12 left in the third quarter, but Boston used a 12-2 run to go up 67-66. The Celtics had a 78-73 advantage after three quarters and stretched their lead to 10 points early in the fourth.
Boston led 104-102 when Jrue Holiday fouled Young with 3.5 seconds remaining in regulation. Young made both ensuing free throws to tie the game, and Tatum missed a shot at the buzzer to send the game to overtime. – Rappler.com