Childress powers Hawks past Celtics

Josh Smith added 18 points seven blocks and five steals while Joe Johnson netted 18 and also pulled down nine rebounds for the Hawks, who have won two in a row. Zaza Pachulia chipped in 12 points.

Allan Ray scored a career-best 22 points and Gerald Green poured in 22 for the Celtics, who have lost five straight. Al Jefferson donated 18 points and grabbed 17 boards in the setback.

Ray’s free throws cut the deficit to 62-56, but the Hawks countered with a 14-6 streak, including eight points from Childress, for a 76-62 advantage.

The Celtics answered with a 23-8 burst, spanning the third and fourth quarters, highlighted by a pair of threes from Ray followed by another from Green, as Boston moved in front 85-84.

The Hawks answered with eight of the next 10 points for a 92-89 margin.

Green’s trey pulled the Celtics within 98-93 with just over a minute remaining, but Childress blocked his three-point attempt with three seconds to play that would’ve put Boston in front.

Trailing 3-0, the Hawks went on a 12-2 run, capped by Smith’s dunk, for a 12-5 lead, and they took a 22-15 margin into the second stanza.

The Hawks led 47-40 heading into the third quarter, but Jefferson’s three- point play narrowed the gap to 47-43.

Game Notes

Childress drained a career-high 10 field goals...Sebastian Telfair had 13 points and Ryan Gomes finished with 12 points for Boston...The Hawks shot 49 percent from the floor, while the Celtics connected on 45 percent of their shots from the field.