Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague narrowly missed double-doubles, and the Hawks plugged a few holes in looking a bit more like themselves Tuesday night in a 121-97 win over the Celtics in Philips Arena. Atlanta had lost five of its previous seven games before Millsap put up 25 points and nine rebounds and Teague added 16 points and nine assists.
In avenging a 13-point loss to the same team 11 days earlier, the Hawks trailed just twice, at 0-2 and 5-6, and were in control throughout on the way to tying their season scoring high.
Atlanta (10-6) was balanced despite missing starter Kent Bazemore (sprained right ankle) and sub post man Tiago Splitter (right hip), yet Thabo Sefolosha may have played his best game as a Hawk with 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocked shots.
Three key players
Millsap: Another game, another workman-like performance. He made 10-of-14 shots, all five of his free throws, and added three assists.
Teague: He said before the game that his sprained left ankle is not alright, but he moved back into the starting lineup largely because his team has been struggling. He wasn't spectacular, and clearly does not have his "burst" back, yet when he plays, the Hawks are better.
Sefolosha: He made his first five shots, and was especially active.
Five observations
Dialing up dimes
With 33 assists on 45 made baskets, the Hawks were largely on the same page — when they weren’t turning the ball over. Atlanta entered the game second in the NBA in assists per game (25.8), and passed that number midway through the fourth period.
Hitting the boards helps
It wasn’t like Atlanta dominated on the boards, but when the NBA’s No. 29 raw rebounding team wins 43-33 on the glass — and wins the game — it matters. The Celtics entered No. 17 in rebounding, and when Atlanta lost 106-93 in Boston on Nov. 13, the Celtics crushed the Hawks in rebounding, 50-35.
Breaking Bradley
Celtics shooting guard Avery Bradley scored 19 of his 25 in the first half, when the Hawks could barely mark him as he made 8 of 12 shots and 3 of 5 3 pointers. Atlanta finally slowed him down in the second half, when he made 2 of 5. Meanwhile, former Georgia State star R.J. Hunter scored 12 for Boston.
Hardaway sighting
The backup guard played for the first time since coming to the Hawks in an offseason trade with the Knicks, as backup Justin Holiday did not play for just the fourth time in 16 game. Hardaway was 1-for-3 from the field for three points, committed a foul and had a turnover. But he appeared to be doing most of the right things: Atlanta was plus-8 in his 9:58 of playing time.
Mutombo’s moment
The Philips Arena crowd was highly charged at halftime, when former Atlanta center/shot blocker deluxe Dikembe Mutombo had his number (55) retired and raised to the rafters with those of Bob Pettit (9), Lou Hudson (23), and Dominique Wilkins (21) alongside former owner Ted Turner.
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