The Atlanta Hawks completed their first season sweep of the Boston Celtics in 11 years, posting a 100-91 home victory in an Eastern Conference showdown on Friday.
Joe Johnson scored 16 of his 27 points in the final quarter to help the Hawks leapfrog the Celtics in the race for second place in the East with their fourth win of the campaign over Boston. Cleveland holds the top spot.
“We won’t stick our chests out yet, but we can stand straight up and look them eye-to-eye,” Atlanta’s Jamal Crawford told reporters after the Hawks won for the fourth time against Boston this season. “It shows we don’t fear anybody. I think it shows our growth that we can take a team’s best punch and come back and win.”
PHOTO: AFP
Crawford, who Boston coach Doc Rivers said before the game needed to be stopped, had 28 points as Atlanta also moved a half-game clear of the Magic heading into their Southeast Division showdown in Orlando, Florida, yesterday.
Crawford had 11 points and four assists in 13 minutes after coming off the bench in the first quarter of a physical game.
“They thought they were going to come in and bully us,” Atlanta forward Mo Evans said. “We had that same mentality. We were going to be physical and protect our home court.”
“Bodies were flying around everywhere,” Hawks coach Mike Woodson said.
Paul Pierce led Boston’s scoring with a season-high 35 points.
The Celtics scored 32 points in the third quarter to pull within a point at 74-73, but an 11-4 run to start the fourth secured the win for Atlanta.
■LAKERS V 76ERS
AFP, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
Kobe Bryant’s return to his hometown of Philadelphia gave 76ers fans plenty of chances to boo him as he led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 99-91 NBA victory.
Bryant, who was born in Philly and attended high school there, scored 24 points as Sixers fans jeered but jockeyed for position to take his photo.
Bryant led Lower Merion High School to a state championship in 1996 and visited his old school on Thursday. He said this was the first year he’d felt chills when he was introduced from Lower Merion High.
“I think because when you get older, you get more and more nostalgic,” Bryant said. “You start reminiscing on where everything started. It kind of creeps in on you.”
In other NBA action, it was:
● Thunder 101, Nuggets 84
● Cavaliers 94, Pacers 73
● Rockets 104, Trail Blazers 100
● Spurs 104, Grizzlies 97
● Bulls 108, Hornets 106, OT
● Jazz 101, Kings 94
● Heat 92, Pistons 65
● Bobcats 121, Warriors 110
● Timberwolves 111, Clippers 97
● Wizards 81, Nets 79
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