For the third time in four games, the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks went down to the wire in their first-round NBA playoff matchup. On Sunday, the Celtics would again get the best of the Hawks on their home floor, winning 104-95 in overtime to even the series at 2-2.
Down 92-90 with just 20 seconds left in regulation, Isaiah Thomas tied things up with a quick drive to the cup. On the Hawks' ensuing possession, Thomas prevented Jeff Teague from getting off a shot, sending the game into overtime. In the extra period, Marcus Smart found Amir Johnson on back-to-back lay-ins to put the Celtics ahead early, and Thomas put the finishing touches on the game with a 3-point dagger with just 30 seconds to go.
Five different players scored in double-figures for the Celtics, but it was the backcourt combo of Thomas and Smart that led Boston down the stretch. Thomas scored a team-high 28 points, while Marcus Smart came up big off the bench, finishing with 20 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals.
The Celtics defense yieled a playoff career-high to Paul Millsap, who finished with 45 points. Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver were the only other players to finish in double-figures for the Hawks, socring 13 and 10, respectively.
The two teams will resume play in Atlanta on Tuesday, playing a decisive Game 5 at the Philips Arena.
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