Marcus Smart had announced the “playoffs mode” in Boston and it was indeed the case, at least in the first half.
Because while Trae Young was embarrassed by the size of Derrick White in the first curtain, and his teammates in the second curtain, the Celtics delivered a small recital in the first half. Intensity, pace and a stretched offense that exposed Atlanta’s struggles to protect their circle collectively…
Joe Mazzulla’s men were having fun and pointing to +30 (74-44) at the break. After such domination, the locals lost track a bit and the C’s coach did not like the intensity of his team in the third quarter. Enough to allow Bogdan Bogdanovic to get his team back to 12 points (96-84) in the final round.
A short scare for the Boston public, since a few actions by Jaylen Brown were enough to inflate the gap to afford a safe end to the game (112-99). And a first victory in these playoffs.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Boston’s superb first half. What a demonstration. Apart from a few rushed picks that ended in lost balls, the Celtics played dream basketball for the first 24 minutes. With 17 assists out of 27 baskets, a Jayson Tatum (21 points) who attacked the circle with authority, a Robert Williams perfectly served in the back of the defense and overall a collective energy that stifled Atlanta.
– The Hawks still came back. A series of playoffs is still long and it was important for the Hawks not to let go, in order to regain some certainty before Game 2. Well helped by the Celtics who logically lost their teeth after taking up to 32 points advance, they had the merit of coming back into the match behind a 32-12 which gave some chills to TD Garden.
– The Celtics dominated the rebound. It was one of the points that could give the Hawks hope. Largely dominating against the Heat on the rebound, Clint Capela and company needed to win the battle for the panels to bend Boston. Except that the Celtics have responded: 58-45 to their advantage.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅Derrick White. Only good choices for the former Spur, who finished with 24 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds. His first counter on Trae Young set the tone, and his defense overall was particularly valuable.
✅ Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The former displayed the theme perfectly for the Celtics offense, attacking the smaller defenders to wrap up close to the circle in the first half, the latter tranquilized his team and fans when the Hawks were melting away and could hope for a heist.
✅Robert Williams. In the first half, his size and placement hurt the Hawks badly.
⛔ Trae Young and the Hawks shooters. It’s hard to hope for something when you’re at 1/16 from 3-pointers at halftime. The leader, with his 1/5 from distance to start (and more generally a 3/11 in shooting in the first half), was the embodiment of the difficulties of his team, which will have to rely on its second mi -time to bounce back.
THE FOLLOWING
Game 2 scheduled for Tuesday, still in Boston (01:00 a.m.)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D= defensive rebound; T = Total Bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
