Last shot to break through 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.

Tonight’s game at TD Banknorth Garden could be the last time they’ll see last year’s playoff nemesis unless they meet 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 said. “They’re a top-notch team. … 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 to last season’s seven-game playoff series, the Hawks have fallen to the Celtics seven out of 10 games, including five straight in Boston. And they’ve lost in every way imaginable.

They were blown out in all four losses 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 Nov. 12 in heartbreaking fashion, when Celtics captain Paul Pierce drained a jumper at the buzzer for a 103-102 win in Boston. The Celtics won 88-85 in the return bout at Philips Arena on Dec. 17. Then Boston 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. That includes road wins over the Magic and Hornets.

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

NEXT FOR HAWKS

> Who: at Celtics

> When: 7:30 p.m. today

> TV; radio: FSSO; 790 AM