Al Horford hit a huge 3-pointer against his former team and the Boston Celtics opened a tight game in the final minutes to finish off the Atlanta Hawks 128-120 Thursday night for a 4-2 victory in the NBA playoff series. first round. .
The second-seeded Celtics advance to face the third-seeded Philadelphia 76ers, who have been bye since completing their four-game sweep of Brooklyn last Saturday.
Game 1 is Monday night in Boston.
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Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball during the game against the Atlanta Hawks during Game 6 of Round 1 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on January 1, 2023 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. (Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Boston put together an 11-0 run that included three straight 3-pointers, with Horford’s big shot interspersed around 3-pointers by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Tatum capped the streak with a dunk, giving the Celtics a 121-113 lead with 2:07 remaining.
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Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after a basket against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter of Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at State Farm Arena on April 27, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading or using this photograph, user is agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Brown led the Celtics with 32 points while Tatum had 30. Horford, who played in Atlanta from 2007-16, had 10 points and 12 rebounds.
After leading the Hawks to an improbable victory in Game 5 in Boston, Atlanta’s Trae Young ran out of steam in the second half. He missed 12 of 13 shots in the last two quarters.
Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics drives against Saddiq Bey #41 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second quarter of Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at State Farm Arena on April 27, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia . (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Young had 30 points and 10 assists, but finished just 9 of 28 from the field.