Basketball: Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards advance in NBA playoffs

Washington Wizards' Markieff Morris and Bradley Beal celebrate their victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Photo / AP

John Wall scored 42 points, Bradley Beal added 31 and the Washington Wizards withstood a furious Atlanta comeback to close out the Hawks with a 115-99 victory, winning the opening-round playoff series 4-2.

The Hawks fell behind by 22 early in the third quarter before making a game of it down the stretch. But the home team never led, and Wall stymied the rally with huge plays at both ends of the court.

Wall's block of Dennis Schroder's layup kept the Hawks from closing within a single point, and Wall hit every big shot in the closing minutes. He scored 19 points in the fourth quarter, ensuring that Washington picked up the first road victory by either team in the series.

Paul Millsap led the Hawks with 31 points.

The Wizards advance to face the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals, who pounded the Chicago Bulls 105-83 to also win their first-round series 4-2.

The top-seeded Celtics simply torched Chicago to finish off a tougher-than-anticipated series and advance in the playoffs for the first time since 2012. Boston regrouped after dropping the first two games at home and will meet Washington, with Game 1 on Sunday.

Avery Bradley finished one point shy of a playoff career high he set in Game 5, scoring 23 points He nailed three three-pointers and the Celtics hit 16 of 39 from long range.

Gerald Green scored 16 and Isaiah Thomas had 12 before heading home to Washington state for his sister Chyna's funeral on Saturday. Her death in a car accident the day before the playoff opener dealt a blow to the Celtics. But Boston rallied around its star player and regrouped when it looked like the series might slip from reach.