Good start can't finish skid

This was a tough one to swallow, to explain, to fathom.

How can a team that nearly rallied from a 23-point deficit against the San Antonio Spurs collapse against the Atlanta Hawks 48 hours later?

Maybe the Celtics became overconfident when they held an 18-point lead early in the third quarter. Maybe they panicked as that lead evaporated in the fourth. Maybe another injury to Al Jefferson (mild right ankle sprain) early in the final period left them rattled. Maybe they forgot how to close out a victory considering it has been almost three weeks since they earned one.

Even if all of the above were true, it is still hard to believe Boston dropped an 82-76 decision to Atlanta. Like the Celtics (12-29), the Hawks (14-26) are a young team at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. If ever there was an opportunity to end a losing streak, last night was it. Instead, Boston saw its skid stretch to nine games and eclipse one franchise record for futility.

"The intent to win was there," said coach Doc Rivers. "I thought they got frustrated, and that's different from [not giving] effort. When you get frustrated, a lot of [bad] things happen."

The Celtics set a franchise record with eight straight home losses, eclipsing the mark set by the 1996-97 and 1993-94 teams. The Celtics are mired in their longest losing streak since a 10-game slide in March and April of 2000. The longest losing streak in franchise history is 13 games, set a decade ago. Needless to say, those were not the numbers that concerned Rivers and the players most after the game.

They focused on shooting percentages, scoring droughts, and healthy players. In the fourth quarter, Atlanta outscored Boston, 26-14. The Celtics largely settled for jumpers and shot 22 percent (4 for 18). Carrying momentum from the third, the Hawks gained confidence throughout the quarter. From the time Josh Smith (21 points, 11 rebounds) scored on a driving dunk with 6:05 remaining in the third until a 20-footer on the break by Joe Johnson (21 points) with 7:12 left in the game, Atlanta staged a 22-5 run, taking its first lead.

Johnson's basket pushed the advantage to 66-62. The Celtics scored just three field goals the rest of the way (two layups by Sebastian Telfair and a layup by Delonte West). Without any legitimate offense or the services of Jefferson, there was no way the Celtics could rally. Atlanta led by as many as 8 on its way to snapping a three-game skid.

"It seemed like all the shots were short," said Ryan Gomes (4 points, 7 rebounds). "I don't know what it was . . . No shots were falling for us [in the second half], even close baskets we were missing, fumbling the ball. You've got to win games like this when you're up 15 points at halftime."

Of all the troubling trends during the losing streak, none has bothered the Celtics more than falling behind big early. While they supplied thrilling finishes against the Wizards Saturday and Spurs Monday, the Celtics did not have enough energy to win either game. They knew they could not afford a slow start against the Hawks if they wanted a shot at ending the skid.

Boston could not have scripted a better start. The Celtics raced to a 7-0 lead, built a 19-4 advantage with 3:21 remaining in the first, and a 28-10 lead at the end of the quarter. The Celtics entered halftime comfortably ahead, 44-29.

But there was nothing comfortable about the postgame scene in the Celtics' locker room. Many players wanted to make a quick exit. Many could not figure out how a game that seemed in hand, slipped so quickly out of hand. Many did not want to think about the losing streak.

But with every loss, the Celtics do put themselves in better position for a lottery win.

Shira Springer can be reached at springer@globe.com.