Hawks outlast Celtics 123-122

ATLANTA (AP) — After lapping the sphere within the Japanese Convention, the Boston Celtics have the luxurious of utilizing the homestretch of the common season to organize for the playoffs.

The Celtics now know they cannot loosen up in the event that they face the Atlanta Hawks within the first spherical.

Dejounte Murray scored a career-high 44 factors, together with a go-ahead jumper within the ultimate second of additional time to energy the Hawks to a 123-122 victory over the Celtics on Thursday night time.

Murray scored all of Atlanta’s 11 factors within the additional interval to provide the Hawks their second win over Boston in 4 days within the matchup of groups presently holding the 1 and 10 seeds within the Japanese Convention.

“That is a very good staff,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla stated.

Jaylen Brown sank a go-ahead jumper with 6 seconds remaining in additional time to provide Boston a 122-121 lead. Murray answered with the jumper over Jrue Vacation. That was the defensive matchup Mazzulla anticipated.

“We would like nothing greater than Jrue Vacation on Murray at that time of the sport,” Mazzulla stated.

Murray, who was listed as questionable with decrease again soreness earlier than the sport, celebrated the go-ahead jumper earlier than being grabbed from behind in a bear hug by teammate Garrison Mathews.

“I am simply constructed for these moments,” stated Murray, who shot 18 for 44. “I am a assured man.”

Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 24 factors and De’Andre Hunter had 21 factors and 13 rebounds as Atlanta received its fourth straight sport to match its longest streak of the season.

Jayson Tatum led Boston with 31 factors and 13 rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis scored 20 factors and Brown had 18.

Bogdanovic stated he wasn’t apprehensive about Murray lacking the sport.

“He by no means quits,” Bogdanovic stated. “By no means. At any time when I see, like, he is questionable I am like, he is good. He is good.”

On Monday night time, the Hawks trailed by 30 factors earlier than rallying for a 120-118 win over the Celtics. It was Atlanta’s greatest comeback win since not less than the 1997-98 season.

The Celtics have the NBA’s greatest file and have already clinched the No. 1 seed within the East.

Atlanta holds the ultimate play-in spot within the East. The Hawks would face the Celtics within the first spherical of the playoffs in the event that they make it via the play-in match with the ninth or tenth spot from the convention.

“We’re not tanking,” Murray stated when requested about probably lacking the sport as a result of his sore again. “We’re not making an attempt to lose. We’re making an attempt to win video games and see how excessive we will get.”

Boston ahead Al Horford (left huge toe sprain) didn’t play.

The Hawks have received 4 straight with a depleted lineup. Ahead Onyeka Okon gwu (left huge toe sprain) missed his fourth consecutive sport. The Hawks stated ahead Saddiq Bey, already dominated out for the season, had surgical procedure Wednesday to restore the torn anterior essential ligament in his left knee.

All-Star level guard Trae Younger (finger) and ahead Jalen Johnson (proper ankle) have missed 17 and eight consecutive video games, respectively. Younger was referred to as for a technical foul from his spot on Atlanta’s bench within the second interval following a 3-pointer by Murray.

A Hawks fan sporting a Hunter jersey sank a halfcourt shot at halftime to win $10,000.

UP NEXT

Celtics: Go to New Orleans on Saturday night time within the fifth sport of a six-game journey.

Hawks: Host Milwaukee on Saturday night time.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA