2022 - 2023 POST GAME ATLANTA HAWKS - AWAY

Celtics Wrap: Boston Staves Off Hawks Comeback Bid
Jayson Tatum saved the day


NESN by Keagan Stiefel

The Boston Celtics outpaced the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night, leaving State Farm Arena with a 134-125 victory.

The C’s improved to 47-21, while the Hawks fell to 34-34.

ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
As the final score would indicate, there was some “NBA All-Star Game” level defense displayed in this one.

The Celtics had a horrific time defending the paint, allowing Atlanta to hit 14 of 16 shots within six feet of the rim in the first quarter. The Hawks? Well, they just stink on defense. Boston did pretty much whatever it wanted and scored from all levels on their way to 69 first half points.

As they are known to do, the Celtics let their intensity dwindle once they built a lead and were never able to fully pull away. Sure, they led for the majority of the game, but found themselves in a five-point game halfway through the fourth quarter before Jayson Tatum and Malcolm Brogdon bailed them out.

Though the Hawks continuously bullied there way into offensive rebounds, the two Celtics hit shot after shot down the stretch to stave off another ugly loss.

STARS OF THE GAME
— Tatum played free and easy, racking up 34 points, 14 rebounds, six assists and a block in the win.

— Brogdon was great off the bench. He finished with 16 points, four rebounds, five assists and a steal.

— Trae Young put together another great offensive performance for Atlanta, scoring 35 points and dishing out 13 assists.

WAGER WATCH
Tatum was given -140 odds by DraftKings Sportsbook to surpass 37.5 total points, rebounds and assists. The All-Star Game MVP hit his mark, netting $100 bettors a $171.43 payout.

UP NEXT
The Celtics will hit the second leg of their six-game road trip Monday when they take on the Houston Rockets. Tipoff from Toyota Center is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

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Finally caught up with the recording.

Is it just me or is Marcus Smart really floundering right now? Wonder what's up with him.

When RW3 comes back and if Mazzulla goes back to the double big line up, it will not be a bad idea to try White in the starting unit.

Good game we looked like ourselves or at least a winning version. Tatum and Brown carried us enough and good support from White, Brogdon, Al and Smart. Good ball movement and back door cuts by us to get good looks. Hawks showed flashes, but could never get over the hump. John Collins, Hunter and Johnson good players, but no where near our J’s as scorers that can score fast in bunches. Collins is a nice player, but no where near a max contract guy and he’s got a max contract. Their tiny backcourt with Trey got exposed defensively and at crunch time our wave of defenders didn’t let him do anything.

Don’t know what is going on with Grant, but in this game Hausers shooting really helped us and his defense is getting better. Guess we didn’t need Grants defense even though we gave up too many offensive rebounds that kept them in the game.

cowens/oldschool wrote:Good game we looked like ourselves or at least a winning version. Tatum and Brown carried us enough and good support from White, Brogdon, Al and Smart. Good ball movement and back door cuts by us to get good looks. Hawks showed flashes, but could never get over the hump. John Collins, Hunter and Johnson good players, but no where near our J’s as scorers that can score fast in bunches. Collins is a nice player, but no where near a max contract guy and he’s got a max contract. Their tiny backcourt with Trey got exposed defensively and at crunch time our wave of defenders didn’t let him do anything.

Don’t know what is going on with Grant, but in this game Hausers shooting really helped us and his defense is getting better. Guess we didn’t need Grants defense even though we gave up too many offensive rebounds that kept them in the game.

Cowens

Agree not sure what's up with Grant. I know he has been nursing an elbow injury so maybe they are monitoring his minutes and games or have Hauser and Blake passed in the rotation? Hauser was great last night, when he shoots like this he has to play. Blake is just great, never stops hustling.

I thought the D was just average last night. Some good possessions and others we let them get right to the hoop. Trae Young is a tough cover. When he gets in the lane even if he misses it opens up second shots. I thought D White did as well as you can do on him.

Overall a good win to start the trip and get some momentum.

Grant has a strained ligament in his shooting elbow. I don't know, but that seems like a problem for a basketball player to me. Probably a more likely reason for his slump and limited playing time than some imagined or presumed rift with the coach.

Injuries to the arm of a shooter must paly a role. That's the only reason I can see why Grant has fallen off a cliff while he yearns for a big contract.

worcester wrote:Injuries to the arm of a shooter must paly a role. That's the only reason I can see why Grant has fallen off a cliff while he yearns for a big contract.

                                                                                                   I agree. The pressure that builds from missing shots becomes a factor too. Those two missed free throws were a killer. A missed tackle that cost my team a championship in peewee football still haunts me decades later. Costing your team a game as time runs out is a feeling I wouldn't wish on anyone.

jrleftfoot wrote:

worcester wrote:Injuries to the arm of a shooter must paly a role. That's the only reason I can see why Grant has fallen off a cliff while he yearns for a big contract.

                                                                                                   I agree. The pressure that builds from missing shots becomes a factor too. Those two missed free throws were a killer. A missed tackle that cost my team a championship in peewee football still haunts me decades later. Costing your team a game as time runs out is a feeling I wouldn't wish on anyone.

Agree and Agree.

(I still remember the pass I dropped in the end-zone, down by 3 with the clock running out.)