Celtics, Thomas hold on in Horford's return to Atlanta
ATLANTA -- Isaiah Thomas made sure that first-year Boston Celtics teammate Al Horford was a winner in his return to Atlanta, snapping the Hawks' seven-game winning streak in the process.
Thomas had the winning basket with 2.2 seconds left while scoring 13 of his game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter as the Celtics won 103-101 despite the Hawks overcoming a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
The Hawks tied the score on a 3-pointer by Paul Millsap with 25.6 seconds remaining, but the Celtics set up Thomas for the final shot and the diminutive guard penetrated into the lane to score in traffic.
The Celtics, who have won six of seven games, made 17 3-pointers and got a boost off the bench from Kelly Olynyk, who had a season-high 26 points.
Millsap and Tim Hardaway Jr. had 23 points to lead the Hawks. Hardaway scored 15 points in the fourth quarter, when Mike Dunleavy had 15 of his 17 points in his first game with Atlanta.
Horford, who left the Hawks to sign with the Celtics as a free agent last summer, had 10 points, six rebounds and six assists in his first game against his former team.
Horford received more boos than cheers during pregame introductions, but most Hawks fans showed their appreciate for the four-time all-star's nine seasons in Atlanta with a standing ovation after a video tribute between the first and second quarters.
Thomas and Jae Crowder each had eight points in the third quarter as the Celtics, their lead down to four points at halftime, moved out to a 20-point margin before the Hawks cut it back to 78-65 going into the fourth quarter.
The Celtics led by as many as 15 points in the first quarter, when they made 8 of 14 3-point shots to go up 28-18. They cooled off temporarily from behind the arc in the second quarter, though, and the Hawks was within 48-44 at halftime.
Olynyk, who was averaging 7.9 points, scored nine points in each of the opening quarters. Making 4 of 5 3-point attempts and hitting 7 of 8 shots overall.
The Celtics has 16 assists on 18 first-half baskets, 10 coming from from behind the arc on 24 attempts.
Kent Bazemore sparked the Atlanta comeback in the second quarter, scoring all 10 of his first-half points. Millsap had 11 points at intermission for the Hawks, who were in the game because of 10 of 11 shooting at the foul line.
NOTES: G Avery Bradley, the Celtics' second-leading scorer at 18 points per game, missed his fourth straight game because of a strained right Achilles tendon. ... Boston was also without C Tyler Zeller (sinus infection issues) and G/F James Young (ankle sprain). Coach Brad Stevens said Zeller, who has missed seven games, underwent tests and has felt better the past few days. ... F Amir Johnson returned to the Boston lineup after sitting out Wednesday against Washington because of a sprained ankle. ... G/F Mike Dunleavy Jr., acquired by Atlanta from Cleveland as part of the deal for G Kyle Korver, suited up after getting in his first practice Thursday. ... The Hawks wore blue and lime green throwback uniforms from the early 1970s. ... Atlanta won the last three of four regular-season games against Boston last year, then took a six-game series in the opening round of the playoffs.