The Hawks evened the series at two games apiece.

Johnson broke his previous career playoff high of 26 points, achieved when he played for Phoenix, and Josh Smith added 28 points and seven blocks.

Ray Allen paced the Celtics with 21 points, and Kevin Garnett added 20.

The Celtics had a 16-3 lead in the first quarter and a 73-63 advantage in the third.

After Smith's jumper put the Hawks ahead to stay at 81-79, Johnson scored nine straight Atlanta points to keep Boston on the ropes.

Smith made two free throws with 26 seconds remaining to make it 93-87. Johnson finished off the Celtics by making two more with 14 seconds left.

"It's time to shock the world," the public address announcer screamed to the sellout crowd of 20,016: After getting blown out in the first two games, Atlanta turned feisty on its home court.

Rookie Al Horford taunted Paul Pierce after putting the Celtics away in Game 3, prompting the Boston forward to flash a menacing gesture that drew a $25,000 fine from the NBA.

Magic 102, Raptors 92

ORLANDO, Fla. - Dwight Howard had 21 points and 21 rebounds, and Orlando advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in 12 years by closing out its series with Toronto in five games.

This was Howard's third game with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in the series.

Raptors forward Chris Bosh, who posted career playoff highs of 39 points and 15 rebounds Saturday at Toronto, had 16 points and nine rebounds last night.

Bosh was frustrated down low by Howard, shooting 7 for 19.

Jameer Nelson scored 19 points for Orlando, and Rashard Lewis had 18 points and 13 rebounds. The Magic will play the winner of the 76ers-Pistons series.

Bobcats land Brown. Former 76ers coach Larry Brown has reached an agreement to return to the NBA as coach of the Charlotte Bobcats, a person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press.

Brown, 67, was expected to sign a contract today, the source said. The Bobcats have called an afternoon news conference for what was termed a "major basketball announcement."

Riley out as coach. Pat Riley's worst season as coach of the Miami Heat will be his last.

The Hall of Famer resigned as coach but remained team president. Erik Spoelstra, a 37-year-old assistant coach, will succeed Riley and become the NBA's youngest current coach.

Spoelstra has never been a head coach at any level outside the NBA's summer league.

Miami finished the season with the NBA's poorest record, 15-67, which was by far the worst of Riley's 25-year career.

As president, Riley, 63, will continue overseeing a plan to rebuild a franchise just two years removed from a championship. "Today, I am definitely sure that I don't want to do this anymore," Riley said of coaching.

Scott is coach of year. Byron Scott, who led the New Orleans Hornets to their first playoff appearance in four years, has been chosen as the NBA coach of the year, the AP has learned. Scott is expected to receive the award today before the Hornets host Dallas.