The Hawks got right back into their playoff series Saturday night. Their formula was simple: get in the passing lane and move.

Atlanta was stalled for much of the first two games of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series against Boston. Game 3 was different. The Hawks matched their two-game total of 26 dimes early in the fourth quarter, and ended up assisting on 28 of 36 field goals in Saturday's 102-93 win.

Pouya Dianat/AJC (ENLARGE)

Hawks' Al Horford snags a rebound as Josh Smith holds back Celtics star Kevin Garnett.

BY THE NUMBERS • Box score • Standings • Stats Photos: Hawks win [an error occurred while processing this directive]

When four starters end up with six or more assists, including eight by point guard Mike Bibby after he had one in each of the first two games, there's one conclusion. Somebody paid attention when coach Mike Woodson said, "I've been talking about sharing the basketball. If there's a double-team, somebody's open."

It helps to move to get open. Center Al Horford, who tied his season (and career) high with six assists, confirmed it.

"We didn't move at all in the first two games," he said. "We came in here and watched film, and we realized that it was one pass-shot, one pass-shot. It was important for us to get that extra pass; that made the biggest difference."

The Hawks were attacking early, out-scoring Boston 16-8 in the paint in the first quarter. Then, as the Celtics began collapsing defensively, that left Atlanta's shooters open more from distance.

And after missing all five 3-point attempts in Game 2, and making just 3 of 14 in Game 1, the Hawks made 8-of-12 bombs Saturday.

Take that play in the fourth quarter, when the Hawks pushed their lead to 15 points.

After switching the ball back and forth, Joe Johnson (who had six assists) drove toward the left corner. When the Celtics' defense shifted toward him — as it often has in this series with the ball has been in Atlanta's leading scorer's hands — Johnson kicked it back to Josh Smith on the high left elbow.

He let fly. Swish!

The 3-pointer gave the Hawks a 94-79 lead with 6:58 left.

Smith had six assists, too, by the way.

"Coach said to be ready to make a play when two [Boston] guys collapse or commit to me, and I would just find the open guy," Johnson said. "Tonight it was Josh [who made 11-of-17 shots, including 3-of-6 3-pointers]."

Nobody's stock jumped more than Bibby's, although he struggled to shoot again (4 of 12). He was critical in jump-starting Atlanta's offense in the first quarter, when Boston allowed an very uncharacteristically high 32 points.

Bibby missed both his shots in the period, but had five assists and the Hawks assisted on 10 of their 11 field goals.

Basketball is a different game — dare it be said an easier game? — when played the way Atlanta played Saturday night.

"It's always easier when you play the right way," said Marvin Williams. "We focused on making the extra pass."