Hawks vs. Celtics: Game 6 Score and Twitter Reaction from 2016 NBA Playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks were the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference last season and saw their title dreams come to an end because of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now they get a chance to return the favor after they eliminated the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday, 104-92. 

The Hawks clinched the 4-2 series win against Boston with the first victory for a road team in the entire series:  

On to the next round!Hawks defeat the Celtics 104-92 in Game 6 to advance #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/LIvXeDyg9j

— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) April 29, 2016

All five Atlanta starters scored in double figures, as the team shot 38-of-74 from the field (51.4 percent) and gradually pulled away during the course of a 39-point third quarter. Paul Millsap led the way with 17 points, eight rebounds and four blocks, while Kent Bazemore and Al Horford each scored 15 points. 

As for the Celtics, they were down by double digits for the majority of the second half and didn’t get enough offense outside of Isaiah Thomas. He scored 25 points and dished out 10 assists, but only Jae Crowder reached the 15-point mark among his teammates. Crowder was also a mere 5-of-15 from the field. 

Despite the loss, the Celtics received some positive news before tipoff when Thomas was in the starting lineup following an ankle sprain in Game 5, per NBA on ESPN. Thomas helped the Celtics jump out to a 9-5 lead in the early going, but so did the fact the Hawks started 2-of-8 from the field.

Atlanta’s official Twitter account indicated a plan was in place after the Hawks overcame a similar slow start to eventually win Game 5:  

Just trying to replicate Game 5…that’s all.

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 29, 2016

That initial Celtics lead didn’t last long, as the Hawks capitalized on Boston’s mistakes to take a 13-9 advantage. Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette said the Celtics started 4-of-17 from the field, and Brian Robb of Boston.com highlighted the fact Atlanta’s frontcourt was creating problems for the home team:

Hawks on 8-0 run since going to Scott/Millsap frontcourt. Same one that killed Cs in Game 5.

— Brian Robb (@CelticsHub) April 29, 2016

The Hawks rode that momentum to a 20-17 lead at the end of the first quarter, and the only real concern was Jeff Teague’s ankle. Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution said the point guard was just getting re-taped when he went back to the locker room.

Atlanta continued to dictate the early pace in the second quarter, and Robb questioned Boston’s strategy after it fell behind by eight: “I know that Turner and Thomas have to rest at some point, but resting them together once again is a very slippery slope.”

Things got even …

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