After a slow first half, the Boston Celtics appeared to find their game in the second half, taking a commanding 11 point lead early in the fourth quarter.

But the Atlanta Hawks, playing shorthanded and on the road, answered with an impressive 15-4 run in the final six minutes of the game to tie it up at 80.

The Celtics took a few timeouts to get set up for the final 15.4 seconds, but were unable to convert, as Paul Pierce’s elbow jumper at the buzzer fell short.

It will be the first overtime game of the 2012 NBA Playoffs.

You have to be impressed with the resiliency of the Hawks. This is a game they have no business winning. And to come from behind to force overtime after being down double digits in the final quarter makes their effort even more laudable.

For more on the Celtics, head over to CelticsBlog and SB Nation Boston. For more on the Hawks, check out Peachtree Hoops and SB Nation Atlanta.