Hawks desperate to beat Boston

The clock is ticking.

The Hawks’ chances of exacting any satisfaction from the colorful, year-long ordeal with the Boston Celtics will run out before the weekend.

Enlarge this image

AP

Josh Smith says the Hawks must get over the hump against Boston.

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

• Sports TV Listings

Friday’s game at TD Banknorth Garden could be the last time they’ll see last year’s playoff nemesis. Unless they meet up again in this year’s playoffs. Based on the current Eastern Conference standings, that would require both teams to advance to the conference finals.

“I’m not worried about the playoffs or anything other than right now and the fact that we’ve got to find a way to beat these guys,” Hawks forward Josh Smith. “They’re a top notch team, we can’t take anything from them. They’ve defended their title the way any champion would. But we’ve got to find a way to get over the hump against them.”

That’s the lone hurdle remaining for these Hawks this season, in more ways than one.

Dating back to last season’s seven-game playoff series the Hawks have fallen to the Celtics seven out of 10 games, five straight in Boston.

And the Hawks have lost in every way imaginable.

They were blown out in all four games during the playoffs. But the three games this season have been decided by a total of 10 points.

They lost the first meeting this season in heartbreaking fashion, when Celtics’ captain and All-Star Paul Pierce drained a jumper at the buzzer for a 103-102 win Nov. 12 in Boston.

The Celtics won 88-85 in the nationally televised return bout at Philips Arena Dec. 17.

They held on for a 99-93 win over the Hawks last Friday at Philips, setting up tonight’s last chance.

“We’ve played three really tough games against Boston but you have to finish,” Hawks coach Mike Woodson said, “And I don’t care how you slice it, you’re going to have to beat them because a championship team isn’t going to do it for you.”

The Hawks didn’t need or get any such assistance in their other wins over the league’s elite this season.

They outplayed Orlando, New Orleans, Houston, Denver, Utah, Cleveland, Portland and the Los Angeles Lakers when they defeated those teams.

And that includes impressive road wins over the Magic and Hornets.

“The gap between us and those truly elite teams like Boston isn’t that great, Hawks swingman Mo Evans. “The difference is in the energy, focus and will to win that we have to bring to the table every night.

“When we bring it we can play with anybody. And I think our track record this season reflects that.”