In a potential first round playoff matchup the Atlanta Hawks are getting the best of the Boston Celtics at the half and lead 58-49. At the moment the Hawks are percentage points ahead of the Celtics for home court and tonight's winner will have the No. 4 spot in the Eastern Conference.
Both teams offense are on fire with each shooting 60.5 percent and 22-of-38 from the field, but the reason the Hawks are up by nine points is that they have made six more free throws and have made three more three-point shots.
Joe Johnson is leading the way for the Hawks with a game-high 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting including going 3-of-4 from three-point range, and Josh Smith has chipped in with 10 points. The Celtics also have two players in double figures with Avery Bradley scoring 17 points and Keyon Dooling has 10.
Neither offenses are going to continue shooting 60 percent from the half, so which ever teams defense can step up and make some stops will probably win this game. However, the Hawks have a nine-point cushion to work with.
For more on this game Hawks fans should visit Peachtree Hoops and Celtics fans should check out CelticsBlog. For more news and notes from around the NBA head over to SB Nation's NBA Basketball page.