The Atlanta Hawks and their fans know all too well how Larry Bird used to torment them. In Bird’s storied, 13-season career, he notched four games of 50-plus points … and two of them came against the Hawks.
On Nov. 10, 1989, Bird was in the zone, going for 50 points in a 117-106 win against the Hawks. He had 17 points in the fourth quarter and dropped the Hawks, at the time, to their worst start since 1971.
Atlanta led by 101-96 with 5 minutes 40 seconds left in the fourth quarter when Reggie Lewis, Kevin McHale and Bird scored consecutive baskets for a 102-101 Boston lead. But the Hawks regained the advantage on a pair of free throws by Kevin Willis.
Bird, who had 13 rebounds and 8 assists, put Boston ahead to stay with a 15-foot jumper late in the game.
