The Boston Celtics closed out a successful four-game road trip away from home with a dominant 123-93 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, raising their season record to 7-1 and securing their place near the top of the Eastern Conference.
Injuries Affected Hawks' Performance
Entering the game with a 3-4 record, the Hawks had been dealing with a series of injuries affecting several key players. Atlanta's recent win over the New Orleans Pelicans had provided a glimpse of their potential, but current challenges in their lineup left them at a disadvantage against a Celtics team that has been performing at a high level.
Boston, despite being without Jaylen Brown due to a left hip flexor strain, found an effective replacement in Neemias Queta, who made an immediate impact by contributing on early plays and scoring on a hook shot.
In the first quarter, Atlanta tried to set the tempo, focusing on aggressive drives into the paint to establish momentum. However, Boston's Jayson Tatum countered with impressive three-point shooting, forcing Hawks head coach Quin Snyder to call a timeout to recalibrate.
Al Horford bolstered Boston's defense, blocking a three-point attempt by Atlanta's Jalen Johnson, which Tatum quickly turned into points with another three-point shot. Atlanta's Dyson Daniels led the Hawks early, finding success attacking his right side and scoring 8 points.
Meanwhile, Trae Young, a regular offensive threat, struggled, finishing the quarter with just 2 points. Boston's bench was a notable force, with Payton Pritchard scoring on consecutive possessions, putting even more pressure on the Hawks and prompting another timeout.
Boston closed the first quarter leading 35-30, with Tatum scoring 16 points in just 12 minutes and solid support from bench players Kornet, Pritchard, Jordan Walsh and Sam Hauser.
Action in the Second Quarter
The second quarter saw the Hawks continue their efforts in the paint, with Johnson scoring efficiently and setting up a layup for Onyeka Okongwu that briefly put Atlanta ahead. Boston responded with a 10-0 run during Tatum's break, fueled by a three-point shot from Pritchard, a reverse layup from Hauser and baskets from Jrue Holiday.
When Tatum returned, he resumed his shooting accuracy, executing a nifty crossover and three-pointer over Young. Derrick White closed the half with an assist to Tatum in the corner, marking Tatum's 22nd point and his sixth three-point shot.
Boston went into halftime with a convincing 72-53 lead, with Tatum leading the way with 26 points, followed by 14 points from White and contributions of 12 points each from Pritchard and Holiday. Johnson led Atlanta with 16 points, while Daniels and Okongwu added 8 points each. Young continued his struggles, with just 2 points on 1-9 shooting at halftime.
In the third quarter, Boston extended its lead with key plays from Horford, who added a three-point shot and a reverse layup. Queta energized the Celtics bench, contributing an offensive rebound and a powerful dunk, extending Boston's lead to 32 points.
The Celtics reached the 100-point mark with a minute left in the third quarter, finishing with a resounding 103-75 win and leaving Atlanta with little chance of a comeback.
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End of the Meeting and Next Match
With a significant lead in the final quarter, Boston coach Joe Mazzulla opted to give extended playing time to his bench. Jaden Springer, Walsh, JD Davison and rookie Baylor Scheierman all saw action, keeping Boston's momentum going and effectively closing out the game.
The Celtics' strong depth and balanced contributions underscored their strength as a team, allowing them to end the four-game road trip on a high note and gain valuable experience for their bench players.
Jayson Tatum was the standout for Boston, finishing with 28 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds, demonstrating both his scoring and playmaking abilities. Pritchard's performance off the bench was crucial, as he added 18 points, including four three-pointers.
White also proved to be consistent throughout the game, finishing with 21 points, while Holiday's 16 points added additional offensive support.
The win sets the Celtics up for their next home game against the Golden State Warriors, a featured showdown scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start on Wednesday. The game is expected to bring additional intensity, fueled by the rivalry and recent competitive history between these two teams.
