Cornbread Delivers Win

1983-84 Boston Celtics
Celtics 107, Hawks 96
Record: 21-7
12/22/1983


Ted Turner still owns Dale Murphy, Chief Noc-A-Homa, Cable News Network, several yachts, and a large portion of Atlanta, but the Celtics continute to perform as if they own Turner's NBA franchise. Cedric Maxwell (18 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists) and Quinn Buckner led a third-quarter Boston blow-torching of the Hawks last night. When the burning of Atlanta was complete, the Celtics had a 107-96 victory over Turner's crew, Boston's 13th win in its last 15 meetings with Atlanta.

The first half was sloppy and competitive. It was 48-48 at intermission, before the pressing Celtics put it away with a 17-4 run in the first five minutes of the third quarter. The Celtics ripped off eight straight points in the first 1:40 of the third. Larry Bird started it with a bomb, then Maxwell (10 in the crucial quarter) followed up a Bird airball and tapped in another Bird miss. After Tree Rollins lost the ball out of bounds, Maxwell scored again off a beautiful feed from Dennis Johnson. That made it 56-48 and forced an Atlanta timeout.

Dan Roundfield (28 points) broke the drought for the Hawks, but the Celtics roared back with six stright on a bucket by Robert Parish (18), two free throws by Maxwell and a runner by Bird (18). After Roundfield scored again, Parish converted a three-point play, and it was 65-52 with 7:02 left in the third. It should be noted that all of the above was accomplished with Buckner playing guard alongside DJ. Gerald Henderson had four fouls in the the first half and didn't play the third quarter.

The Celtics hit nine of their first 13 shots in the third period (12 of 21 overall) and led, 77-66, after three. A pair of three-point plays by Kevin McHale (a non-athletic 25 points) pushed the Celtics to an 83-67 lead early in the final quarter. When Buckner scored on dazzling drive to give the Celtics their biggest lead (87-69), Atlanta coach Mike Fratello called yet another timeout. The Celtics thumped the Hawks with little difficulty the rest of the way. If would have been a major blowout if not for Roundfield's presence and a late flurry by Rollins. Atlanta pulled to within nine twice but never seriously threatened. The highlight of the first half came when Rollins missed a dunk, much to the titillation of the 133d consecutive sellout. Rollns picked up three quick fouls and didn't score in the half. Meanwhile, Dominique Wilkins was silent for the first 15 minutes. The Human Highlight Film played seven scoreless minutes (guarded by Bird) before he was replaced by Sly Williams in the first quarter. However, Atlanta's guards and the estimable Roundfield did enough damage to make up for Rollins and Wilkins. Roundfield had 10 points in the quarter and pushed the visitors to a five-point (21-16) lead with 2:40 left.

The Celtics came back with a flurry of free throws and closed to within a point when Bird canned a runner from the left baseline with five seconds left in the period. Parish led the Green with nine points and five rebounds in the quarter. The first nine minutes of the second quarter were extremely ragged. It was like watching Kentucky and Cincinnati. The Celtics fell into the penalty situation within 2:26 and scored only four baskets in the first 9 1/2 minutes of the period. The Hawks were no better. Atlanta (8 for 22 in the period) didn't get its first basket of the quarter until Wilkins scored his first of the game with 8:37 left in the half to make it 30-30. The visitors weren't able to get back into their offense until coach Mike Fratello got Roundfield and Eddie Johnson back into the game. EJ and Johnny Davis started driving at will and hit three straight baskets to give Atlanta a 38-32 lead, forcing the Celtics to call time.

After the pause, Dennis Johnson swished a jumper and McHale (12 points in the period) hit one of two from the line, but the Hawks came back with four straight to take their biggest lead of the half, 42-35. The Celtics outscored Atlanta, 13-6, the rest of the half, and tied it at 48-48 when McHale converted a Bird touchdown pass with 0:02 showing.

MISC

The Celtics have won 12 of their last 14 and are 9-2 in December . . . The Los Angeles Lakers (6-4 before last night), Philadelphia 76ers (7-3) and Celtics (10-4) are the only NBA teams with winning road records . . . The Celtics have been outrebounded only seven times, but it has happened three times in the last four games . . . Kevin McHale has 77 points, 29 rebounds and is shooting 59 percent (29 of 49) in his last three games . . . Dennis Johnson had a season-low four points Wednesday and is hitting only 35 percent (24-69) in his last six games . . . Danny Ainge has taken only 27 free throws in 28 games . . . Rick Robey returned from the injured list and went scoreless in two minutes for the Phoenix Suns against Portland Wednesday . . . Red Auerbach will be on hand when Boston College plays at Maryland tomorrow afternoon . . . The Celtics practice tomorrow, have Sunday off and practice Monday before flying to San Antonio for the first of three games in Texas next week.