The Atlanta Hawks appeared to be in great shape heading to Boston for Games 3 and 4 of their first-round series against the Celtics thanks to two home victories and a significant injury to Avery Bradley. But after two wild games in Boston, the series returns to Atlanta tied at two games apiece.
Celtics vs. Hawks, 2016 NBA playoffs: Game time, TV schedule and how to watch Game 5 online
The Hawks look to get back on track in Atlanta.
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Isaiah Thomas saved the day in Game 3 with a career-high 42-point performance, and after avoiding a Game 4 suspension for smacking Dennis Schroder in the head, Thomas put up 28 points in an overtime thriller. Marcus Smart also enjoyed a big performance in Game 4, notching 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists to go along with stellar defense on Paul Millsap down the stretch.
Millsap dominated much of the game by scoring a playoff career-high 45 points, but he only took two shots in overtime and didn’t score a single point. The Hawks managed just three points in the extra frame, and they’ve now lost nine straight overtime contests.
It didn't help that Millsap got little help in regulation. Non-Millsap Hawks shot 18-of-69 from the field, and while Jeff Teague hit a few big threes late to help get the game to overtime, his disaster of a final possession epitomized some of Atlanta's struggles to execute offensively.
The Hawks dominated the last game in Atlanta, so perhaps being back on their home floor will rejuvenate them. But the Celtics are riding high, and the Hawks must figure out a better way to deal with Boston’s chaos after failing to do so the last two games.
How to watch Celtics-Hawks Game 5
Place: Philips Arena, Atlanta, Ga.
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
TV: TNT
Online: Watch TNT, TNT Overtime
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