The Atlanta Hawks got a career night from Paul Millsap, but it didn’t matter. Millsap’s 45 points and 13 rebounds were not enough to outlast the Celtics, who took Game 4 of their first-round series, 104-95, with an overtime victory that tied the series at two games apiece heading back to Atlanta.
The final possession of regulation, with the score tied at 92, more or less summed up the Hawks’ night. Jeff Teague held the ball at the top of the key for the entire possession, then didn’t manage to get a shot off as time expired, after Isaiah Thomas knocked the ball away from him.
Hawks players besides Millsap could not make a shot all night:
Paul Millsap: 19-of-31 from field
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 25, 2016
Rest of Hawks: 18-of-69 from field (26%)
Playing after a controversial non-suspension for his hit on Dennis Schroder in Game 3, Thomas was crucial to the Celtics’ comeback, finishing the night with 28 points. Marcus Smart added 20 off the bench.
Kelly Olynyk, who missed the last two games after suffering a shoulder injury in Game 1, returned for the Celtics, but played just four minutes.
Out of all the first-round series, this is the one that is the most up in the air. On paper, the Hawks have more talent. But Boston’s execution has been more consistent thus far, even with their best perimeter defender, Avery Bradley, likely sidelined for the whole series.
The series heads back to Atlanta for Game 5 on Tuesday.
