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On Thursday, 1 December 2016, six ties and eight lead changes determined the game between the two most sought after teams in the league: The Celtics and NHA Hawks. The Celtics are playing to defend their championship as they strive to repeat. The NHA Hawks are playing to remain undefeated as they pursue the XVII title.

This game had so many twists and turns, it is difficult to package it in a small box because the Celtics and Hawks put on a spectacular display of team basketball. The players, from both teams, were leaning on each other to do what they were able to do to help win the game. The fans, familiar with the league, knew to look for a shooting showdown between the penetrating, Quentin Leonard (#24) of the Hawks, and the 3-point shooting specialist, Jerel Jackson (#24) of the Celtics. That happened with Jackson hitting on three 3-pointers and Leonard penetrating for 14 points and scoring on one 3-point shot. The first separation stated with the Hawks', Kenyatta Hardge (#15), going on a 3-point shooting rampage for 12 points plus two points to put the Celtics behind and on their heels before Christopher None (#15), of the Celtics, stepped up to retaliate. Christopher None relieved Jerel Jackson of being the Celtics' Atlas by taking over the scoring responsibility with 15 points, but they still trailed the Hawks. Other than both teams tying at 10, the momentum was definitely on the Hawks' side. Then the big men: Ernest Adams (#34), of the Hawks, and Steve Woodson (#2), of the Celtics, flexed they wing spans to alter shots and score down low. Ernest Adams scored seven (7) points and Steve Woodson scored 11 points to keep the game close and competitive. Then, Kevin Douglas (#22) stepped up, for the Hawks, to challenge the remaining guards of the Celtics with his strong presence and scoring. Douglas scored 13 points from three 3-point shots and two 2-point shots. The Celtics' remaining guards: Al Wilson (#1), Ralph Mathews (#00), and James Daniels (#20) combined for 11 points. All of that happened in the first half of the game with the Hawks outscoring the Celtics 51 - 46.

The second half started as a replay. The Hawks were scoring and the Celtics were playing from behind. Every time the Celtics would get within 3 or five points, the Hawks would go on a short run to secure another lead. This scenario would continue until both teams tied at 68. The game was on!! From that point, the Celtics and Hawks shared seven (7) lead changes and were tied four (4) times. Quentin Leonard led the Hawks with 17 points and Kevin Douglas added 11 points. Kenyatta Hardge went cold after scoring on two 3-point shots in the second half. Though Jerel Jackson and Christopher None continued to work their stuff by combining for 18 points, Steve Woodson set the gym on fire by lifting the Celtics with 16 points (12 points from four 3-pointers). With eleven (11) seconds remaining in the game, the Celtics were trailing the Hawks 89 - 91 with Jerel Jackson at the free throw line to attempt two shots. Jackson made the two crucial free throws, tied the game, and forced the game into overtime at 91 - 91.

In overtime, the Hawks struck first with Kevin Douglas scoring two points followed by a one free throw made by the Celtics' Jerel Jackson. It was odd to see that the Hawks did not remember to go to their team leader, Quentin Leonard, during the overtime period. He only accounted for two points in overtime. The game and overtime came down to a crucial two points and free throw by James Daniels to seal a lead for the Celtics to win 104 - 99.

The Hawks were able to do what no other team has been able to do all season - that is to force the Celtics to take multiple time outs. The Celtics used four time outs versus five for the Hawks. Great game!!

The scorers for the Hawks were: (#15) Kenyatta Hardge with 20 points, (#24) Quentin Leonard with 38 points, (#21) Trea Tells with 6 points, (#34) Ernest Adams with 9 points, and (#22) Kevin Douglas with 26 points.

The scorers for the Celtics were: (#24) Jerel Jackson with 22 points, (#15) Christopher None with 25 points, (#2) Steve Woodson with 30 points, (#1) Al Wilson with 10 points, (#00) Ralph Mathews with 4 points, and (#20) James Daniels with 13 points.