-- The Hawks have regained the lead and are up, 72-70, after three quarters of play.

Like they have done so many other times this season, the Celtics looked poised to pull away at the beginning of the third quarter when Kendrick Perkins (12 points, 8 rebounds) capped off a 6-0 Celtics run with a jumper that gave them a 54-48 lead with 7:37 left in the third.

But Atlanta guard Mike Bibby (12 points, 6 assists) would score the game's next five points to pull the Hawks within one.

That was the start of a 19-8 Atlanta surge which Al Horford (10 points, 11 rebounds) capped off with a two-handed dunk that put the Hawks ahead, 67-62, with 2:48 remaining in the quarter.

Paul Pierce (18 points), who bruised his left knee with 3:15 remaining in the quarter and was checked out by Dr. Alan Curtis, and Kevin Garnett (14 points) have ignited Boston's offense.

Pierce is expected to return to the game.

Joe Johnson (19 points, 6 rebounds) and Josh Smith (12 points, 5 rebounds) are playing well for Atlanta.