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NBA Playoffs: Hawks vs. Celtics Game 3 recap, full highlights

ByCody Williams|

The Boston Celtics responded in Game 3 at home to get their first win of the series against the Atlanta Hawks

With Avery Bradley succumbing to injury for the Boston Celtics, they were absolutely trounced in the second game of their series with the Atlanta Hawks in the 2016 NBA Playoffs. As the series then moved to TD Garden and Beantown, the Celtics needed someone to step up in a major way if they were going to avoid being swept as the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference.

As it turns out, the diminutive Isaiah Thomas wasn’t going to let that happen to the Celtics on his watch.

Right out of the gate, the Celtics came out running and swinging against the Hawks and jumped out to an early lead on Atlanta. Boston scored a ridiculous 37 points in the first quarter alone to get off to a 17-point lead. Though the Hawks clawed back a little, the Celtics were still ahead by 12 points at halftime on their home floor.

Jeff Teague and Al Horford weren’t about to roll over in the NBA Playoffs, though, and buckled down to lead a comeback in the third quarter. After a strong run at the end of that third period, Atlanta trailed by just one point going into the fourth and final frame of the night on Friday.

That’s when Thomas came back again to seal the game and play the hero in front of the home crowd. He knocked down numerous big shots from all over the floor, but no shot bigger than a late three from the right wing to make it a two-possession game late. The point guard’s heroics were enough to give a short-handed Celtics team the win and to move this series to 2-1.

Three Stars

Isaiah Thomas, Celtics – 42 points, four rebounds, one steal

Jeff Teague, Hawks – 23 points, five assists, two rebounds, one steal

Evan Turner, Celtics – 16 points, seven assists, two rebounds, five steals, one block

Highlights

Next Game

Game 4 between the Hawks and Celtics will take place on Sunday, April 24 in Boston once again with a 6 p.m. ET start time and the broadcast being on TNT.

For all you NBA Playoffs coverage, stay in tune with the FanSided NBA hub.

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