Hawks squander big lead before holding off Celtics for 102-101 win in Game 1

Jeff Teague stymied another big Boston comeback, taking matters into his own hands in the closing minutes to lead the Atlanta Hawks to a 102-101 victory over the Celtics in Game 1 of the opening-round playoff series Saturday night.

Teague scored 23 points and doled out 12 assists, making sure Atlanta maintained the home-court edge after the gritty Celtics rallied from a 19-point deficit.

With the game tied at 88, Teague worked the pick-and-roll to set up a layup for Al Horford. The Celtics missed and the Hawks again got the ball to Teague, who found Paul Millsap alone under the basket for a dunk that pushed Atlanta to a 92-88 lead with 2:56 remaining.

The Celtics had a chance to tie in the final minute, but Evan Turner missed an open three-pointer.

Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Tuesday night in Atlanta.

Jae Crowder gave the Celtics one more chance by knocking down a three-pointer with six seconds left. But Teague, appropriately enough, sealed the win with a couple of free throws that kissed off the front of the rim and dropped through.

Horford scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Hawks, while Kent Bazemore came up big with 23 points.

Isaiah Thomas, after a sluggish start, led the Celtics with 27 points, including a long three-pointer with 0.4 seconds left that at least created a bit of suspense. The Hawks called time out and managed to get away an inbounds pass that finally ended it.

Boston lost Avery Bradley, its best perimeter defender, with 6:42 remaining to an apparent right hamstring injury, which really opened up things for Teague. Boston Coach Brad Stevens said Bradley heard “a pop,” but it’s not known how long he might be out.

at Golden State 104, Houston 78: Stephen Curry dazzled from long range and drove to the hoop with flair and fire until a tweaked ankle finally slowed him down.

Once he sat for good after three firm requests to Coach Steve Kerr about returning, his supporting cast handled the rest.

“Like a kid in timeout over there on the bench,” Curry said of his mood.

He still did plenty, scoring 24 points as the Warriors beat the Rockets in their playoff opener.

The reigning MVP’s status for the next game is uncertain.

“Right now I don’t see a scenario I would be out,” Curry said, noting that could change if it gets worse or there’s risk of further trouble. “Pain tolerance, all that stuff, I kind of know what I can deal with on the court.”

Kerr said Curry is questionable for Game 2 on Monday.

He will be reevaluated Sunday.

“You lose the MVP of the NBA, it definitely changes your team,” Green said. “There’s some concern.”

Indiana 100, at Toronto 90: For Paul George, watching the Pacers miss the playoffs while sidelined by injury last season was a painful experience.

Now healthy, he couldn’t be happier about being back in the postseason.

George scored 33 points, Monta Ellis had 15 and the Pacers beat the Toronto Raptors in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.

George missed all but six games last season after breaking his right leg while playing in a scrimmage with Team USA before the 2014 World Cup. Without its star for much of the season, Indiana slumped to a 38-44 finish and missed the playoffs for the first time in five years.

“That hurt more than the actual break, not getting this team to the playoffs last year,” George said. “This means a lot, it means a lot to be back here, it means a lot to be on this stage again.”

at Oklahoma City 108, 70: Russell Westbrook had 24 points and 11 assists, and Kevin Durant added 23 points to help the Thunder beat the Mavericks in Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series.

Serge Ibaka had 17 points and nine rebounds, and Enes Kanter added 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Thunder.

It was Oklahoma City’s largest victory margin in a playoff game since moving from Seattle before the 2008-09 season, and the lowest point total the franchise has allowed in a postseason game, in Seattle or Oklahoma City.