Offensive game fans certainly enjoyed the show, as the defenses were absent in this part between the Hawks and the Celtics. This possible future poster of the first round of the playoffs has in any case given birth to a success for the teammates of Jayson Tatum (34 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists) and Jaylen Brown (24 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds), over Trae Young (35 points, 13 assists) and others.
Logically victorious (134-125) ofAtlantathe players of Boston took the break from the second quarter, never to let go of the controls thereafter and hold their advantage until the “money time”. A solid performance from the dolphins of the Bucks in the East, who incidentally validate their ticket for the play-in (at least). A play-in which also seems to reach out to their evening opponents, still 8th in this same conference.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— The “Jay’s” take care of everything. The league’s best duo is Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown this season. New illustration this night, since the two All-Stars of the Celtics held their rank and guided their team to victory. Both to put her on the right track and to allow her not to sink in front of the Hawks’ comeback efforts. As good bosses, Tatum and Brown therefore showed the way in Boston and, opposite, Atlanta did not find the solution to stop them, while Trae Young could not count on such support.
— Attacks at the party. On the one hand, Boston scored 134 points at 55% in shooting (including 48% at 3-pointers), with 20 award-winning baskets and 35 assists (for 8 lost balls). On the other, Atlanta planted 125 points at 50% shooting and with 13 offensive rebounds. We can therefore say that the two teams have made the powder speak on the offensive level and, on arrival, it is the best attack of the two which has managed to do what is necessary to win. Not without trembling, but by perfectly executing his game plan until the end and relying on his collective strike force.
— A boost then Boston held on. After a particularly prolific first quarter, the difference was made in the second, when one of the two teams saw its percentages drop and its rotations did not bring satisfaction. This team was the Hawks of course, quickly dropped to score in front of the onslaught of the Tatum/Brown pair, while Malcolm Brogdon and the Celtics’ substitutes also did not fail to punish Atlanta’s defensive largesse. As a result, the gap increased and the rest of this meeting boiled down to an attempt at a “comeback” by the locals, annihilated by the visitors.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ The Boston Bench. Behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Derrick White (18 points, 7 assists) also shone in the five, but it was mainly the Celtics’ substitutes who brought what was needed to make the difference against the Hawks. Namely the omnipresence of Malcolm Brogdon on each side (18 points, 5 assists), the sniper rifle shots of Sam Hauser (12 points), as well as the contagious energy of Blake Griffin (8 points, 5 rebounds). A real luxury for Joe Mazzulla.
✅ Trae Young. Frustrating defeat for the leader, who did not have much to reproach himself for in this part, as he was a hit and made miseries in the defense of the Celtics. In control offensively and rather clean, both in scoring and creation, Young carried his team on his shoulders throughout the evening and, when he was not in game to rest, Atlanta often took on water and struggling to exist. Proof that the double All-Star was, as often, the handyman for the Hawks in attack.
⛔ Dejounte Murray. If Trae Young has assured, difficult to say the same of his “backcourt” friend, limited to 14 points (7/18 to shoot and 4 lost balls), but above all transparent and clumsy most of the time. He certainly raised his head a little in the fourth quarter, but his overall contribution was far too insufficient to hope for better against a team as supplied and collectively armed as Boston. Also regrettable that he did not know how to properly manage the minutes without Young.
⛔ Marcus Smart. Dominated by Trae Young in defense, the leader of the Celtics also had a little trouble in attack (11 points, 4/12 to shoot, but 3/6 to 3-points). Except that his performance will remain especially in the heads for his expulsion which occurred at one minute 30 from the end of the match, for a clash with this same Young, whose foot dragged (involuntarily?) in the private parts of Smart. Inevitably, the latter did not appreciate the gesture and he initiated contact with his vis-à-vis, before visibly bringing him to the ground (voluntarily?), where they were then finally separated.
THE FOLLOWING
Atlanta (34-34) : Minnesota reception, Monday to Tuesday night (12:30 a.m.).
Boston (47-21) : trip to Houston, on the night of Monday to Tuesday (01:00).
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