Atlanta
Boston, which had lost seven of 10, used a 45-point first quarter to put it out of reach early. Coming off their worst performance of the season in a home loss to the 4-14 New York Knicks, the Celtics led by 13 in the first when Kyrie Irving hit a dazzling fade-away 3.
The lead swelled to 29 midway through the second after Terry Rozier dunked and hit a 3. It was Boston’s 10th trey, nine more than Atlanta had at that point. The rebuilding Hawks were 1 for 17 beyond the arc before Alex Len’s 3 late in the second.
Atlanta began the night with the NBA’s second-worst record and dropped to 3-16 with its 10th straight loss. Jeremy Lin finished with 19 points, and Len added 17 in reserve roles.
Boston had a sloppy close to the second quarter with no field goals in the last 6:19 yet led by 16 at halftime. Tatum’s 3, Brown’s putback, Tatum’s putback dunk and Baynes’ hook shot pushed the lead back to 29 midway through the third.
Atlanta went on a 16-2 run to close within 15 late in the third before Gordon Hayward hit a baseline jumper, and Smart stole the ball from John Collins and fed Semi Ojeleye for a lay-in.
Hayward opened the fourth by taking Daniel Theis’ bounce pass and dunking for another 20-point lead. Theis followed with a 3 and Robert Williams III hit a reverse layup to finish off the Hawks with 10 minutes remaining.
None of Boston’s starters played over 24 minutes. Irving scored 11 of his 13 points in the first. Hayward added 11 points.
Notes: Celtics F Al Horford had a sore left knee and missed his first game of the season. Marcus Morris took his spot in the lineup, making his first start since last season, and finished with eight points.
Cavaliers 121, Sixers 112
Philadelphia
Philadelphia entered as the NBA’s lone undefeated team at home at 10-0, while the Cavaliers were 0-8 on the road with the worst overall record in the league at 2-14.
Raptors 125, Wizards 107
Toronto
OG Anunoby scored 15 points and Fred VanVleet had 13 as Toronto posted its third straight win over the Wizards and improved its NBA-leading record to 16-4.
Pistons 116, Rockets 111 (ot)
Detroit
Blake Griffin scored 28 points and Andre Drummond had 23 points and 20 rebounds for Detroit, which has won five of seven.
Clippers 112 Grizzlies 107 (ot)
Los Angeles
Timberwolves 112, Nets 102
New York
Heat 103, Bulls 96
Chicago
Bam Adebayo added 14 points and 13 rebounds, and the Heat held on after nearly squandering a 26-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Spurs 111, Pacers 100
Indianapolis
Thunder 109, Hornets 104
Oklahoma City
Dennis Schroder — paired with Westbrook in the starting lineup for the first time this season — scored 23 points.
Knicks 114, Pelicans 109
New York
Trier made two free throws to put the Knicks ahead 104-103, and they held on to win consecutive games for the first time this season.
