Tatum’s 34 help Celtics thwart Hawks comeback, 134-125 – Boston News, Weather, Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Jayson Tatum led a balanced attack by scoring 11 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter, and the Boston Celtics defeated Atlanta’s comeback bid in the fourth quarter, beating the Hawks 134-125 Saturday night.

The Celtics opened up a six-game journey by letting six players score in double figures. Jaylen Brown had 24 points. Tatum added 14 rebounds.

Trae Young had 35 points and 13 assists for Atlanta, who were unable to maintain the momentum after back-to-back wins in Washington. The Hawks remain eighth in the Eastern Conference table.

With 1:25 minutes remaining and Boston leading 129-121, Young and Marcus Smart had to be separated after the two became entangled and fell onto the court under the Celtics’ basket. Smart was called for a first foul before a lengthy review by officials called both players for technical fouls and ejected Smart.

Young made two free throws to reduce the deficit to six points.

Boston led 60-44 with 16, but the Hawks rallied in the final period. Clint Capela’s tip cut Boston’s lead to 108-103, 8:06 remaining. Boston still led by just five points before Smart’s 3-pointer extended the lead to 117-109.

Young’s 3-pointer took Atlanta again to 119-114 before Al Horford responded with a 3 for Boston and Tatum’s layup extended the lead to 10 points.

The Hawks led 40-39 early in the second period before Malcolm Brogdon’s 3-pointer started the Celtics’ 12-0 run. Boston kept his hot hand from long range during that period, hitting five 3s in a 21-4 run for the 60-44 lead. Sam Hauser sank two 3s during the stretch.

Boston was greeted by a heavy turnout of green-clad fans in a sold-out crowd in Atlanta.

TIP INS

Celtics: C Robert Williams (distorted left hamstring) missed his fourth straight game. PG Payton Pritchard (left heel) missed his second straight game. … Brogdon and Derrick White each had 18 points.

Hawks: G Bogdan Bogdanovic (back strains) held out. … Dejounte Murray had 14 points, his fourth game under 20 points in his last five.

NEXT

Celtics: Visit Houston Monday night.

Hawks: host Minnesota on Monday night.

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