The surprising Hawks won their fourth road game of the season and took over the lead in the Southeast Division with a 7-2 record. They defeated Boston in a regular-season game for the first time in eight tries.
Joe Johnson led Atlanta with 24 points, Crawford had 18 and Al Horford 12. Crawford and Smith each scored four points during the key run to start the final quarter and Crawford produced half his points in the fourth period.
Boston suffered only its second loss of the season, both of them at home. Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 24 and Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins had 14 each.
Boston made just one of its 15 attempts from 3-point range. Atlanta's largest lead of 88-76 came with 4:44 to play.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
Post new comment