Final: Celtics 114, Hawks 105 -- C's overcome 16-point deficit, Smart ejection in comeback win

The Celtics snapped a four-game road losing streak despite missing Gordon Hayward (personal) and Marcus Smart (ejection) for the final 18 minutes, coming back from an 16-point first half deficit to pull away with a 114-105 win.

Boston outscored Atlanta 53-38 in the second half behind some terrific shot-making by Kyrie Irving (team-high 32 minutes) and terrific defensive energy from the second unit. Terry Rozier (team-high 11 rebounds, three steals) was the forefront of the comeback once Marcus Smart was ejected for charging DeAndre Bembry following a verbal altercation in the third quarter.

The Celtics have now won three straight games overall and improved to 4-5 on the season on the second half of back-to-backs. They will go for their fourth straight win back in Boston on Monday night against the Heat. 

First Half Notes

• Another miserable defensive start for the C's starters on the second half of a back-to-back as they allow 20 points in the opening first five minutes.


• Hawks offense has been rolling of late and they really got the slower C's wings (i.e. Tatum and Morris) on their heels early on by running them through screens and finding easy open looks with ball movement from the perimeter.


• Brad Stevens went deep into the bench early, playing 11 of his 13 active players in the first half to try to find some kind of a defensive spark. Ultimately, he got one with Terry Rozier, who came up big with full court pressure and a couple of nice steals, but he still is struggling on the offensive end (2-of-7) in first half


• Irving rescued the Celtics in the second quarter though, scoring the majority of his 23 first half points in the final six minutes of the second quarter, going a perfect 5-of-5 in the period.


• Boston trimmed a Hawks 16-point lead down to five while limiting the Hawks to a scoreless five-minute drought midway through the frame before giving some of it back with careless turnovers and rotation.


• Not a good night for Baynes with so many capable shooters on the perimeter for the Hawks.


• Kevin Huerter might end up being the biggest steal of the draft among post lottery picks. He can light it up from the perimeter.

• The Celtics will be without Gordon Hayward due to personal reasons on Saturday night. Without him, look for an increased minutes load for Terry Rozier and Jaylen Brown, as well as some additional playing time opportunities for Semi Ojeleye and Brad Wanamaker against an offensive-minded Hawks team that plays small and fast.


• The Celtics are just 3-5 in the second half of back-to-backs this year, already their loss total from last year on back-to-backs already.


• Boston has lost six of their last seven games on the road, dating back to December 15th. Their only win during that sequence was a comeback against the Grizzlies in late December.


• The Celtics are 2-0 against the Hawks this year, who will be without starting wing Kent Bazemore.