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Hawks, Celtics meet in potential playoff preview

Apr 12, 2008 - 1:43 PM Boston (63-16) at Atlanta (37-42) 7:00 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics meet on Saturday in a preview of a potential first-round matchup in the NBA playoffs.

The Hawks (37-42) enter Saturday's contest with a two-game lead over the Indiana Pacers (35-44) for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

If the Pacers win each of their final three games, Atlanta needs two more wins to clinch its first playoff berth in nine seasons. It won't be easy for the Hawks, who host the Orlando Magic and visit the Miami Heat in their final two games of the campaign.

Atlanta took another step toward the postseason Friday with a 116-104 victory against the lowly New York Knicks. Joe Johnson scored 34 points and added six assists to lead the Hawks.

The Celtics, who have limited their starters playing time after wrapping up home-court advantage throughout the playoffs last week, bounced back from a rare loss with a 102-86 victory against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.

Rajon Rondo had 16 points and 10 assists to pace Boston, which won for the eighth time in the last nine games.