AP
Atlanta Hawks forward Marvin Williams (24) celebrates as Boston Celtics forward James Posey (left) and guard Rajon Rondo (nine) walk off the court after the Hawks won 103-100 in Game Six of their NBA first-round play-off series on Friday night at Philips Arena in Atlanta. The best-of-seven games series is tied 3-3.

ATLANTA (AP):

THE ATLANTA Hawks forced an improbable Game Seven of their NBA play-off series against the heavily-favoured Boston Celtics, with Joe Johnson hitting a crucial late three-pointer to clinch Friday night's game 103-100.

Marvin Williams led the Hawks with 18 points despite missing most of the fourth quarter with a knee injury. Kevin Garnett paced the Celtics with 22 points.

The deciding game is today in Boston. The home team has won every game in the surprisingly close series between the teams that ranked first and eighth in the Eastern Conference.

Triple-double

In Washington, LeBron James compiled 27 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists for his third career play-off triple-double, giving Cleveland a 105-88 victory and a 4-2 series victory and a place in the second round.

Wally Szczerbiak added a career playoff-best 26 points and reserve Daniel Gibson had 22, combining for 10 of Cleveland's 11 three-pointers.

James also picked up a technical foul, one of three called in a fittingly rough finale to a series that featured plenty of trash talk, hard fouls, one ejection and one suspension - Washington's Darius Songaila was barred from Friday's game for hitting James in the face in Game Five.

Caron Butler finished with 18 points and nine rebounds for the Cavaliers.

In Salt Lake City, Utah beat Houston 113-91 to win the series 4-2 and knock the Rockets out of the play-offs in the opening round for the second straight year.