Inside The Celtics

Here's What Stood Out as 6 Celtics Scored in Double-Figures in Victory vs. Hawks

The Celtics held a Hawks team that had scored at least 126 points in their last six games to 117 while a balanced attack propelled them at the other end.

Bobby Krivitsky

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
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Defense felt optional and often declined in the first half of Wednesday night's Celtics-Hawks game. The opening 24 minutes treated fans at TD Garden to a high-scoring affair that saw Boston enter the break with a 71-67 edge. 

There were lazy closeouts and late contests, and Atlanta often let the hosts screen their way into attacking their desired mismatch.

The Celtics produced 38 points in the paint by intermission, allowing them to overcome shooting 7/23 (30.4 percent) from beyond the arc despite creating quality looks.

While the visitors backed off their strategy from the last time these two teams met, a 113-103 win for Boston in which they consistently paid for blitzing Jaylen Brown, they still couldn't slow him down.

The now three-time All-Star generated 15 points and four assists and had no turnovers at halftime. The other half of Cookies and Cream, Kristaps Porzingis, put a team-high 16 points on the board. 

Fellow frontcourt mate Al Horford was the Celtics' most consistent player in the first 24 minutes, registering 14 points, four rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and a steal.

At the other end of the parquet, the Hawks were comfortable letting it fly from well behind the three-point line. That strategy paid off in the first half as they knocked down 9/24 (37.5 percent) of their long-range attempts.

Saddiq Bey paced all participants with 18 points at the break. Operating like someone either auditioning to stay in Atlanta or stating his case for interested suitors to deal for him before the trade deadline passes, the former Villanova Wildcat exhibited considerable energy while converting on 7/10 attempts, including 4/5 threes while also scoring at the basket.

All-Star injury fill-in Trae Young put 15 points on the board despite faring 2/7 from three-point range. Onyeka Okongwu chipped in 11 points, helping Atlanta manufacture 30 in the paint and 12 on second-chance opportunities.

Derrick White then took charge in the fourth quarter, drilling his first three shots, all from behind the arc, leading the way as Boston extended its lead to 109-98 with 8:01 left.

The Hawks made a late surge, pulling within five, 120-115, in the game's final minute, as the Celtics missed some quality shots and had some breakdowns with their defensive rotations, seemingly a sign of dips in energy and focus.

But when Porzingis buried a three from 27 feet off a feed from Jayson Tatum, it represented the knockout blow as the hosts fought off Atlanta for a 125-117 victory.

Boston had six players score in double figures. Porzingis produced a game-high 31 points; Derrick White, who scored 12 on 4/5 shooting in the last 12 minutes, finished with 21. Tatum registered 20, pairing that production with nine rebounds and seven assists. 

Jaylen Brown contributed 15 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Horford stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, eight boards, eight assists, four blocks -- the most in the matchup -- and a team-best two steals.

And on a night the Celtics' second unit provided a considerable boost in energy and execution, Sam Hauser chipped in ten points and eight rebounds. Fellow benchmate Payton Pritchard produced eight points and earned a plus-11 plus-minus rating.

The Celtics are now on to a matchup against the Washington Wizards that will take place Friday night at TD Garden. It tips off at 7:30 EST.

Further Reading

Celtics Strike Deal for Grizzlies Center

Celtics Linked to Multiple Wings Leading Up to Trade Deadline

Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans

Jayson Tatum Shares What Went Through His Mind Seeing Celtics Fans Celebrate Marcus Smart

Derrick White Opens Up About Shooting Slump After Propelling Celtics Past Pelicans: 'Don't Feel Sorry for Yourself'

Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'

Fixated on Winning, Jayson Tatum Again Proves He's Not 'Bored Making the Right Play Over and Over'

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'

Published
Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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