The Celtics nearly let a 25-point lead slip away on Saturday, but Boston held fast in the fourth quarter, knocking off the Atlanta Hawks 129-120.
Boston has now won five of its last six contests, including back-to-back wins at home.
Kyrie Irving finished an assist shy of a triple-double, scoring 30 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in the win. He went 12 for 24 from the floor, 4 for 10 from deep, had a pair of blocked shots and a steal.
It would have been Irving’s second triple-double in as many games, third of his career. Against the Kings, Irving became the first Celtic to score 30 while posting a triple-double since Rajon Rondo did in 2012.
Jaylen Brown scored 23 points off the bench and was Boston’s second-highest scorer. He shot an efficient 8 for 14 from the floor and 3 for 5 from deep.
Brown has now scored 22, 22 and 23 points in the Celtics’ last three games.
Marcus Smart went 5 of 9 from the floor, finishing with 16 points. Like Irving, he had nine assists. Smart also had a season-high five steals in the win.
