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The Boston Celtics earned a 112-99 Sport 1 win in opposition to the Atlanta Hawks, and for those who picked this sequence to be a fast sweep, there’s little we noticed immediately that ought to push you to alter your thoughts. Each Celtic within the rotation who suited up immediately had an strong recreation in a roundabout way, however Boston’s two finest gamers led the way in which whereas Trae Younger (16 factors on 28% taking pictures) struggled for Atlanta. Jaylen Brown posted a easy 29 factors and 12 rebounds whereas Jayson Tatum put up his technique to 25 factors and 11 rebounds. Derrick White additionally added 24 factors, 5 rebounds and seven assists.
Proper from tip off, it was very obvious that this could be a cakewalk. I noticed Jaylen Brown stroll Dejounte Murray (24 factors, 8 rebounds, 6 assists) to the rim for a layup proper earlier than Jayson Tatum got here proper again down and did the identical factor to DeAndre Hunter (11 factors).
Opening as much as a fast 10-point lead halfway via the primary quarter all over the tip of the body, an explosion was knocking on the door. It began with a bunch of layups, and by the point halftime began approaching, the Celtics determined to get sizzling from behind the 3-point line, remodeling what was a standard 20-point blowout right into a 30-point bloodbath.
Attention-grabbing lineup observe: the Celtics’ rotation switched up somewhat bit. Not often the primary sub out, Marcus Good (11 factors, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks) was the primary participant to move to the bench for Robert Williams (12 factors, 8 rebounds) after guarding John Collins (12 factors) for a number of possessions to open the sport. At this time, Jaylen Brown was the primary to sub out between him and Tatum, with the latter taking part in the entire first quarter. That is additionally shaping as much as be a Sam Hauser sequence, with Grant Williams using the bench the entire first half. I count on the precise reverse to occur subsequent spherical in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Trae Younger struggled mightily, beginning the sport 1-7 from the sphere with a handful of turnovers. John Collins was the one participant who seemed even remotely snug. Whereas Atlanta crashed the boards usually within the second quarter, it didn’t really translate to a lot in the way in which of second-chance factors. Saddiq Bey and Jalen Johnson gave them first rate minutes off the bench. They may find yourself being extra invaluable to ATL this sequence contemplating DeAndre Hunter was taking part in matador protection on the Jays.
Atlanta’s perimeter protection is simply means too poor to provide Boston any type of resistance.
Within the third quarter, the Celtics prolonged their lead all the way in which as much as 32 earlier than tricking away for the second half of the body. Armed with a 23-10 run, the Hawks battled their means again to . . . a 19-point deficit getting into the fourth quarter. That is one thing to control, although, since you don’t need Atlanta getting any type of confidence. Sweeps are made mentally earlier than the sequence reaches the ultimate recreation. That features maintaining your foot on the gasoline and maximizing relaxation for the celebrities.
Sadly, the Celtics continued to idiot round to begin the fourth, letting the deficit get as little as 12 factors. The run prolonged to 32-12 because the Hawks battled with extra vitality. Bogdan Bogdanovic turned up, making issues a bit extra fascinating. A couple of buckets later, and the sport was over after Boston pushed the lead proper again to twenty. Nothing to fret about! Atlanta tried to carry on, however they ran out of time. That run most likely ends sooner if Robert Williams performed extra minutes.
For what it’s value, Atlanta checked out its finest when Trae Younger was on the bench. Joe Mazzulla can have a lot to select at in movie classes to maintain the staff sharp after that lackadaisical second half. If Boston can preserve controlling the boards, they’ll get loads of relaxation earlier than the subsequent spherical.
Sport 2 in opposition to Atlanta can be Tuesday night time at 7:00 p.m. ET on NBATV as Boston goes for the 2-0 sequence lead.
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