The Hawks were in need of a spark — and they got one in the most unusual way — but it didn’t last.
Holding a one-point third-quarter lead, DeMarre Carroll raced down court for a layup after a steal. He was broadsided by the Celtics’ Jared Sullinger as he went to the basket, and words were exchanged. As the flagrant foul was reviewed by officials, Al Horford gathered his team and implored them to “Wake up!”
They did — but only for a while.
The Hawks went on a 9-1 run following the incident. However the double-digit lead didn’t last. The Celtics erased a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit and stole a 94-87 victory over the Hawks on Saturday night at Philips Arena.
The Celtics used a 21-3 run in the fourth quarter for the victory.
The Hawks (8-6, 4-2 home) had a two-game win streak snapped. They have not won more than two in a row this season.
Horford led the Hawks with 18 points. Jeff Teague (13), Paul Millsap (12) and Mike Scott were the other double-digit scorers. Teague had a double-double with 10 assists. He had eight of his points in the third quarter. The performance came one night after he scored 14 third-quarter points in a win over the Pistons.
Kyle Korver extended his streak to 87 consecutive games with a 3-pointer. He is two shy of Dana Barros’ NBA record.
The Celtics (5-10) snapped a six-game losing streak. Brandon Bass led six double-digit scorers with 17 points.
The Hawks held a 53-49 lead at halftime. The Celtics led by as many as six points in the first quarter as they shot 52.4 percent from the field. The Hawks answered in the second quarter and led by as many as five points after shooting 50 percent.
The highlight of the first half was Millsap’s thunderous dunk over Sullinger in the second quarter. Millsap easily slipped past Vitor Faverani along the baseline. As Sullinger stepped in, Millsap delivered with his right hand.
The Hawks host the Magic on Tuesday. It is the start of another stretch of four games in five days.
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