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The Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta Hawks will aim for a 10-game winning streak Wednesday night when they visit TD Bank Garden to take on the Boston Celtics. The Hawks haven't lost since Dec. 26 at home against the Milwaukee Bucks. They've opened a four-game cushion in the East over the Washington Wizards, and have a nine-game road winning streak, which is the best in franchise history.
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This is the latest in the season the Hawks have been atop the Eastern Conference standings since winning the conference in the 1993-94 season.
Wednesday's tilt is game two of a four-game road trip. After a win in Philadelphia on Tuesday, and Wednesday's bout with Boston, the trek gets tougher. The Hawks will visit the Toronto Raptors on Friday and the Chicago Bulls on Saturday.
On Tuesday, without starters Jeff Teague, Paul Millsap and DeMarre Carroll, the Hawks had no trouble with the 76ers. Atlanta left south Philly with a 105-87 victory.
Al Horford had his first career triple-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
"It's a good feeling ... I'm just playing team basketball," Horford said of his triple-double.
Kent Bazemore netted 17 points off the bench, while Kyle Korver hit four 3- pointers and finished with 15 points for Atlanta, which is an NBA-best 23-2 over its last 25 games.
Dennis Schroder started in place of Teague and contributed 13 points and six assists. Shelvin Mack had a great game off the bench with 12 points and 10 assists as Atlanta assisted on 34 of 42 made field goals.
The Celtics continued overhauling their roster of late. After trading Rajon Rondo a few weeks back, the C's shipped out Jeff Green, Brandan Wright and Jameer Nelson in three separate trades.
In return, Boston received Tayshaun Prince, Austin Rivers, Nate Robinson and draft choices. Early reports have Prince and Robinson as candidates for buyouts and Rivers may move in a future deal.
On the court, the Celtics snapped a two-game slide on Monday with a 108-100 home triumph over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Jared Sullinger led the way for Boston with 27 points and 10 rebounds.
Boston also got a boost from Jae Crowder, who posted a career-best 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting to go along with four steals and a pair of blocks. His swat on Anthony Davis with 29 seconds remaining helped the Celtics open their three-game homestand with a win.
"One of the things I've noticed is (Crowder) has a really deliberate way about his work," Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said. "Doesn't surprise me he's making shots."
Marcus Thornton chipped in 13 off the bench, followed by 12 from Brandon Bass. Avery Bradley and Evan Turner, Boston's starting backcourt, finished with 10 apiece.
The Hawks beat the Celtics by four in Atlanta on Dec. 2 and have taken three of the last four meetings. The C's have won five of their last six during the regular season as the host in this series.
[SportsNetwork.com]
