Atlanta Hawks pull off 30-point comeback to shock Boston Celtics as 'soft' Los Angeles Clippers lose to Indiana Pacers
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Updated 26/03/2024 at 10:29 GMT
The Boston Celtics had won nine games in a row heading to Atlanta on Monday evening and looked set to make it 10 as they opened up a 30-point lead. However, the Hawks soared back into the game and won it 120-118. Elsewhere, the Denver Nuggets beat the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers head coach Ty Lue described his team’s identity as “soft” after they lost to the Indiana Pacers.
Vit Krejci of the Atlanta Hawks
Image credit: Getty Images
The Atlanta Hawks pulled off one of the comebacks of the season as they overturned a 30-point deficit to stun the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics 120-118.
The Celtics were looking for their 10th win in a row and that streak didn’t look in danger as they moved 68-38 ahead in the second quarter.
But the Hawks started to spread their wings and chip away at the lead with a 34-22 third quarter.
They continued to close the gap and moved 117-116 ahead with a minute left when Dejounte Murray scored on a reverse layup.
Jaylen Brown missed a three-pointer as the shot clock expired and De'Andre Hunter made sure of the win as he netted from outside the D at the other end.
Hawks coach Quin Snyder said the home crowd played a big part in the comeback win.
"Tonight, the way we started the game, and the way Boston started, their energy really gave us a lift," Snyder said of the Atlanta fans.
"Anytime you're down that much you have to have something out of the ordinary a little bit to get back in the game.
"And when you have a group of people you know who are behind you thick or thin, rain or shine - and there was a lot of rain early - they were a big part of helping the sun come out tonight."
Hunter led the Hawks scoring with 24 points while Bogdan Bogdanovic added 22 points and Dejounte Murray scored 19.
Jayson Tatum topped the scoring for the Celtics with 37 points.
"We let our foot off the gas in the second half, and they got in a great rhythm," said Tatum.
"It's a tough pill to swallow…we were up a lot but we didn't do the things we needed to do to win. The key is to not over-react. Take it on the chin and get ready for (the next game)."
The Celtics have already clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference while the Hawks are 10th in the division.
Nikola Jokic finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists as the Denver Nuggets beat the Memphis Grizzlies 128-103.
The Nuggets are one game ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder at the top of the Western Conference.
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Ty Lue described his team’s identity as “soft” after they lost 133-116 to the Indiana Pacers.
The Clippers have now lost six of their past nine games and have slipped down to fifth place in the division.
"So identity for us, it's got to be toughness," Lue said. "Which means physicality, mental and physical toughness, a high-powered offense - we can score in a lot of different ways - and we got to have a defensive mindset.
"And so right now, do we have an identity? I think, yeah, we're soft."
Clippers' James Harden added: “We gotta find our identity. Teams are scoring easy on us. Makes it difficult to score offensively.
"It's a little frustrating…I think we're all trying to figure out what the hell is going on."
Donte DiVincenzo hit a franchise-record 11 three-pointers as the New York Knicks beat the Detroit Pistons 124-99.
The San Antonio Spurs beat the Phoenix Suns 104-102 and the Cleveland Cavaliers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 115-92 win over the Charlotte Hornets.
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