The Atlanta Hawks went away from everything that made their first half showing against the Boston Celtics a success and resorted to just chucking up jumpers. We all know how those games usually end up.
Paul Pierce has 18 points and Delonte West and Kevin Garnett 10 each to help the Celtics to a 68-62 lead through three quarters at Philips Arena.
Jamal Crawford netted 18 points and Joe Johnson has 11 for Atlanta, which is shooting just 37-percent (22-for-60) from the field.
The good news is that the Hawks have trailed by as many 12 in this one before Atlanta brought Zaza Pachulia in the game and started attacking the post.
Atlanta trailed 66-55 with 2:06 left before the Hawks finished the quarter with a 7-2 run to make it respectable. They did it by going to the hoop and either drawing contact or converting from the free throw line.
Al Horford has 10 points and 11 boards for Atlanta, which dropped their first two games this season to the Celtics.