Celtics Fend Off Hawks

1983-84 Boston Celtics
Celtics 105, Hawks 96
Record 55-19
March 31, 1984

As the Celtics near the playoffs, one thing is clear. In each outing they seem even more eager for the challenge, particularly one from the so-called cream of the Eastern Conference. They showed the Atlanta Hawks, in a 105-96 victory last night, that they are no longer intimidated by sagging defenses and zone traps. With Danny Ainge back to add his gentle touch to that of a reborn Dennis Johnson, the Celtics riddled Atlanta, showing, among other things, that they are a tougher matchup and have more in their arsenal than Philadelphia, whom the Hawks beat five of six times this season.

Last night's victory before a sellout crowd of 14,890 gave Boston a 5-0 sweep over the Hawks, a perennial contender in the NBA's Central Division, and reduced the Celtics' magic number for clinching the Atlantic Division to two games. "The thing you have to remember," said Celtics coach K.C. Jones, "is that Atlanta really wanted to win this game. They'd just come off a victory over Philadelphia, and to come here and win would say to them they belong up with the best in our conference. But our guys were just as determined to make sure that didn't happen."

The Celtics had six players in double figures, led by Larry Bird (19) and Kevin McHale (17). Although Gerald Henderson (10) had an off night (2-12), Johnson hit seven of eight for 16 points, 12 in the first period. Ainge came off the bench for 13 points. Boston did a sagging job of their own against Dominique Wilkins (23) and Dan Roundfield (19). Wilkins had only five points in the second half and found double coverage everywhere. Roundfield couldn't get on track and had very little offensive support from the Atlanta guards, or Tree Rollins, who is concentrating on defense these days.

"It's good to play a team like Atlanta," said Johnson. "With the playoffs coming, we've got to sharpen ourselves up to be mentally tough. It may seem like I'm playing more consistently. But this is a team where it is easy to be overshadowed. "I'm just one of the contributors on the team. We're like a clock, and for us to win, we need all hands working in synch. Atlanta showed us a lot of pressure, and we'll probably be seeing more of that in the playoffs. But we're playing well as a team and moving the ball well."

Atlanta didn't play a bad game. Wilkins, particularly, gave Bird fits in the first half with his quick moves. The Hawks trailed by two at the quarter, 28-26, and Wilkins and Mike Glenn each hit two baskets to put the Hawks ahead. Boston didn't regain the lead until McHale took a high lob from Quinn Buckner and sank a stuff shot that gave Boston a 43-42 lead. Once ahead, the Celtics got five straight points from Buckner for a 48-44 lead and was never seriously threatened the rest of the way.

The Hawks fell behind by 13 in the third quarter and then made a run that cut the lead to four points at 68-64. But after getting to within six at 75-69, they began to wear down. Their bench is no match for Boston's, particularly with veteran Sly Williams (sore right foot) lost for the season. Boston went ahead by 15 twice in the fourth quarter and coasted to victory. Hawks' coach Mike Fratello said people put too much emphasis on his club's ability to beat the 76ers and not the Celtics.

"It's a matter of matchups," he said. "We're still a very good team and played very well against Philly. If a perfect score is eight, we did seven of eight things right against them. We have not played that way against Boston. I believe we can beat Boston. But we haven't beaten them yet. But I believe we can."