ATLANTA — Ray Allen isn’t focused on the Celtics’ modest seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings or the two-game losing streak they brought to Atlanta.
The 16-year veteran guard insists he likes this Boston team — especially when it plays as it did in the fourth quarter against the Hawks.
Allen hit two 3-pointers in Boston’s 13-0 run in the fourth quarter and protected the lead with two free throws in the final seconds as the Celtics held on to beat Atlanta 79-76 on Monday night.
“I love what I’m seeing from this team,” Allen said, referring to the Celtics’ resiliency after their offensive struggles through three quarters.
“We could have easily been beaten tonight,” Allen said. “We took their hit and we counterpunched.”
Kevin Garnett, who had 16 points, also applauded the Celtics’ passion.
“I don’t know why we look like we’re running in mud these days,” Garnett said. “But our fight’s there, man.”
The Celtics, who led 73-58 at the end of the run, had to survive the Hawks’ late surge.
Joe Johnson, who had 25 points, had three late 3-pointers as the Hawks rallied. Johnson’s 3 with 11.8 seconds remaining cut the lead to 77-76.
Allen, who had 19 points, made two free throws with 10.9 seconds remaining.
Jeff Teague launched an air ball on Atlanta’s final possession.
“We got lucky,” said Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who said his team escaped with the win despite “a plethora of mistakes to end the game.”
Allen helped the Celtics gain momentum for the final period by sinking a buzzer- beating 3- pointer to end the third period. He scored on a pass from Rajon Rondo, who had 10 points and 13 assists.
Paul Pierce had 13 points for Boston, which took charge with a 17- 2 run, including 13 unanswered points, after a 56-56 tie in the final period.
Zaza Pachulia had 16 points and 13 rebounds for Atlanta, which now leads Boston by 1 1/2 games in the race for the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Celtics announced before the game that forward-center Jermaine O’Neal will have surgery on his left wrist and miss the remainder of the season, adding more urgency to the team’s search for inside help.
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