Hawks close out Celtics with strong 3rd quarter in Game 6

The Atlanta Hawks are moving on to the second round thanks to a 104-92 win over the Boston Celtics in Game 6. With the win, Atlanta snaps a streak of nine straight series losses to the Celtics and sets up a rematch with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round.

The Hawks built a cushion early on but failed to take advantage of a good defensive effort combined with some cold shooting by the Celtics. Boston shot just 28 percent from the field in the first half and were 3 of 18 from three-point range, yet the Hawks still only managed an eight point lead at the half 41-33.

However, Atlanta slammed the door shut in the third outscoring the Celtics 39-26 and pushed the lead to as many as 22 points. Atlanta connected on 14 of 19 field goal attempts in the quarter including 3 of 7 from beyond the arc. Eleven of Al Horford's 15 points came in that decisive third quarter run.

Experience plays big part in series

While they looked a little shaken at times in Games 3 & 4, Atlanta drew from past experiences as they closed out the series. Atlanta ended two playoff series last season on the road against Brooklyn and Washington. The Hawks did a good job of keeping their emotions in check and took a rowdy Boston crowd out of the equation for good with that strong third quarter.

The future appears to be bright for the Celtics but there is no substitution for experience in the postseason. At the end of the day, that was a big factor for Atlanta in Games 5 & 6.

Teague tweaks ankle in victory

The Hawks move to the second round with just one injury concern. Jeff Teague tweaked his ankle again early in Game 6. He still ended up playing 24 minutes and was on the court during a key stretch of the fourth quarter but was clearly affected by the injury.

Dennis Schröder was pressed into duty early and had perhaps his best game of the series finishing with 12 points and eight assists in 23 minutes. However, Schröder once again showed maturity issues as his war of words continued with Boston's Isaiah Thomas.

Game 1 for the Hawks and Cavaliers isn't until Monday and that will give Teague extra time for treatment and rest for his ankle. He has battled sore ankles at different times throughout the season and the Hawks need him to perform at a high level if they hope to have a chance against the Cavaliers.