ATLANTA — Kyle Korver said the Hawks owed the Celtics a big comeback.
This one was really big.
Korver scored 27 points, most on 3-pointers, and Atlanta overcame a 27-point deficit in the first half to beat Boston 123-111 in double-overtime on Friday night, handing the Celtics their sixth straight loss.
Boston’s biggest lead came in the second quarter. Korver remembered the Hawks led by 19 points, also in the second period, before the Celtics rallied for an 89-81 win in Atlanta on Jan. 5.
“We had a good example of how to come back from what they did to us the last time," Korver said.
Jeff Teague had 23 points for Atlanta before fouling out in the first overtime. Al Horford had 24 points — including seven in the second overtime — and 13 rebounds. Josh Smith, who opened the second overtime with a three-point play, had 17 points and 14 rebounds.
The Celtics (20-23) fell three games under .500.
“It’s definitely a tough pill to swallow," said Paul Pierce. “We’ve got to have some sort of discipline. That’s the key word for us. It is cause for concern. We’ve got to come in with the mindset to play for 48 minutes."
Kevin Garnett had 24 points and 10 rebounds but fouled out in the second overtime as the Celtics were left with their longest losing streak in six years.
Rajon Rondo had 16 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his fifth triple-double of the season.
“We had a chance to put this game away, man. We didn’t do that," Garnett said. “We gave a team life. You can’t do that.
“Korver came out, obviously got hot, and we couldn’t turn it off."
Korver had all of his career-high eight 3-pointers in the second half, setting a franchise record, and five in the fourth quarter.
“When you make some shots, all of a sudden you get better screens and you get better passes," Korver said.
Korver’s eighth 3, with 2:26 remaining in regulation, cut Boston’s lead to 98-96. Horford’s two free throws with 1 minute remaining tied the game at 98-all to set up the first overtime.
With the game tied at 105-all in the first overtime, Courtney Lee’s steal from Horford set up Lee’s two free throws to give Boston the lead, but Smith tied the game with a jam.
Pierce, who had 12 points, missed a jumper at the end of the first overtime.
“It seems we let our foot up off the gas," Rondo said. “We have to stay positive and continue to move forward and try to dig our way out of this hole."
The Hawks outscored the Celtics 16-4 in the second overtime.
Jeff Green had 17 points for Boston. Courtney Lee had 16 points and Avery Bradley had 14.
Boston appeared headed for a rout when it led 48-21 in the second quarter.
“The most important part is how we didn’t lay down in the second half," Smith said.
Also on Friday:
Spurs 113
Mavericks 107
DALLAS — Tony Parker returned from a cut above the same eye he injured in a nightclub incident last summer and scored 23 points to lead San Antonio over Dallas.
Heat 110
Pistons 88
MIAMI — Dwyane Wade scored 29 points and sparked a pivotal run to help Miami earn its fourth victory in a row by beating Detroit.
Cavaliers 113
Bucks 108
CLEVELAND — Kyrie Irving scored 35 points and Cleveland rallied from a 20-point deficit in the third quarter to defeat Milwaukee.
Wizards 114
Timberwolves 101
WASHINGTON — John Wall had 14 points and five assists in his first start of the season, and no-longer-last Washington finally hit double digits in wins.
Bulls 103
Warriors 87
CHICAGO — Kirk Hinrich scored a season-high 25 points, hitting six of seven three-pointers in Chicago’s victory over Golden State.
Grizzlies 101
Nets 77
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Marc Gasol had 20 points and nine rebounds and Memphis built a 30-point lead in the second half en route to a victory over Brooklyn.
Rockets 100
Hornets 82
NEW ORLEANS — James Harden had 30 points and Houston broke out of its worst slump of the season by beating New Orleans.
Thunder 105
Kings 95
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Kevin Durant had 24 points and 11 rebounds, Kevin Martin scored 24 points and Oklahoma City overcame a slow start to overwhelm Sacramento.
Lakers 102
Jazz 84
LOS ANGELES — Metta World Peace hit five 3-pointers on his way to scoring 17 points and the Los Angeles Lakers pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat Utah, snapping a four-game skid.
