Celts Down Hawks In Playoff Preview

Coach Tom Heinsohn used eleven players in the Celtics' come-from-behind 124-108 pre-playoff game against the Atlanta Hawks last night at Boston Garden.

Jo Jo White scored 12 of his 21 points in the third period to sperk the slow-starting Boston five, as they scored 14 straight points at the end of the third and the beginning of the fourth period for an 89-79 lead before running away with the game.

The Hawks, playing without 6'11" center Walt Bellamy and guard Herm Gilliam, will meet the Celtics April in the semi-final playoff in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association.

Bellamy has been bothered with back trouble and Gilliam has a pulled hamstring.

Atlanta ran away from the Celtics in the first period behind the shooting of Pete Maravich, who had 29 points, and the Hawks held the lead until nearly the end of the third period, when White went on his scoring binge.

Don Chaney led Boston's attack with 22 points, followed by White, George Trapp poured in 24 for the visitors and Lou Hudson contributed 20.