Inside The Celtics

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Game 4 Win vs. Hawks: Jaylen Brown's 22 Second-Half Points Propels Boston to 3-1 Series Lead

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combine for 62 points, Celtics bringing 3-1 series lead back to Boston.

Bobby Krivitsky

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

Jaylen Brown entered halftime with nine points on ten shots. Coming out of the break, he erupted for 22 of his 30, taking control of the Celtics' offense.

Brown played the duration of the final two frames, relentlessly attacking the rim, where his finishing was on full display. His ability to consistently get downhill also created two crunch-time assists, setting up Robert Williams for back-to-back layups, giving Boston breathing room with the visitors clinging to a five-point lead.

The Celtics also got 31 points from Jayson Tatum, who, like Brown, struggled in the first half, producing 13 points on 12 shots in the first 24 minutes.

But after halftime, the four-time All-Star put 18 points on the board, including going 7/8 at the free-throw line, and he swatted two more shots after blocking a Trae Young layup in the first half.

Boston also got a tremendous performance from Robert Williams. The Time Lord came off the bench to provide 13 points, a game-high 15 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks, making a significant impact at the rim on both ends of the floor. Williams also had a Tommy Point in the closing stages that helped seal the victory.

Now, a deep dive into what stood out in a 129-121 win, defined by the Celtics' physicality, aggression, and mental toughness, as they earned a 3-1 lead with the series heading back to Boston.

1. Jayson Tatum was in attack mode from the opening tip, generating nine points, including a layup and getting to the cylinder producing two trips to the free-throw line in the first frame.

The four-time All-Star finished the quarter with 11 points, matching Dejounte Murray for the most in the period, two assists, including getting downhill and creating an open three for Derrick White, and five rebounds, making an impact on the boards, too. 

2. In the first 12 minutes, White delivered his usual stellar two-way play. Defensively, he did well contesting Trae Young's shots, including challenging him from behind. 

At the other end, with the Celtics' stars playing aggressively and drawing multiple defenders, White capitalized, knocking down a pair of open threes. He ended the quarter with ten points on 4/6 shooting.

3. Boston did an outstanding job on the defensive glass in the first half, limiting the Hawks to four offensive rebounds and two second-chance points.

At the center of that was Robert Williams, who secured ten defensive boards, doubling Tatum and Al Horford, who both snagged five, the second most on either team through 24 minutes.

The Time Lord's 12 rebounds in the first half are the most in a playoff game by a Celtic since Kendrick Perkins grabbed 13 in 2008 against the Pistons.

4. The visitors also did an outstanding job staying in front of players and closing out to contest shots. That combo helped hold the hosts to 36.7 percent shooting from the field, including 8/22 (36.4 percent) from beyond the arc. Atlanta also manufactured only 16 points in the paint, entering the break trailing 65-53.

5. In a first half featuring crazy swings, including both teams trading 9-0 bursts, and a combined 13 turnovers, it was interesting to see Joe Mazzulla challenge the Celtics to play through the opposition's runs. 

While there were instances it felt like pausing the action was prudent, overall, it was a strong first half for Boston, making it hard to argue with the results.

6. It's not a cause for concern at the break, but making the visitors' performance at the offensive end, shooting 50 percent from the field, including 9/23 (39.1 percent) from three-point range, even more impressive, is that Tatum and Jaylen Brown struggled to find their rhythm.

The former went to the locker room with 13 points on 12 shots, faring 1/7 on threes. The latter, who ditched the mask in the second quarter, had nine on ten attempts.

7. Sure enough, Brown got cooking in the third frame, relentlessly attacking downhill, leading to him generating ten of the Celtics' 27 points in the quarter, matching De'Andre Hunter for the most in the period. 

8. Speaking of Hunter, he's had a quiet series, but he stepped up on Sunday, knocking down one shot after another. The former Virginia Cavalier registered 12 points on 4/6 shooting in the second frame, then produced ten in the third, matching Brown for the most in the period.

9. Marcus Smart's status for Game 4 was in question due to a lower back contusion. It should come as no surprise that he suited up, though.

Smart registered 19 points on 8/14 shooting, dished out four assists, grabbed four rebounds, and only committed two turnovers; it's also understood his impact and propensity for making winning plays goes beyond the stat sheet.

And he helped Boston close the second and third quarters on a high note, burying a three and nearly manufacturing a four-point play at the end of the first half and getting downhill for a one-handed flush to close the third frame, giving the Celtics a 92-87 edge entering the final 12 minutes.

10. Boston had 17 points in the fourth quarter with four minutes left in a low-scoring final frame when the visitors put the ball back in Brown's hands. 

With his team clinging to a 109-104 lead, the two-time All-Star's aggressive approach led to him getting downhill, creating back-to-back layups for Robert Williams, putting the Celtics up seven with 3:14 on the clock.

Brown then delivered the dagger, burying a corner three and throwing down a two-handed flush, capitalizing on a terrific hustle play by the Time Lord, and putting the finishing touches on Boston's 129-121 win, giving the Celtics a chance to end the series on the TD Garden parquet.

Up Next

Game 5 between the Celtics and Hawks tips off Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. EST. Inside The Celtics will have content related to the game before, during, and afterward. And follow @BobbyKrivitsky on Twitter for updates and analysis from pregame to post.

Further Reading

Marcus Smart on Hawks 23 Second-Chance Points in Game 3: 'Just a Matter of Will'

Celtics Address Game 3 Loss to Hawks: 'This One Tonight is On Me'

The Hawks Hit Hardest in Game 3, Now, Joe Mazzulla Wants Celtics to 'Throw One Back'

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Loss in Game 3 vs. Hawks: Boston Struggles to Find Balance as Atlanta Extends Series

[Film Room] Derrick White's Assertiveness Leads to 26 Points, MVP Chants as Celtics Take 2-0 Lead

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. Hawks in Game 2: Swarming Defense and 64 Paint Points Propels Boston to 2-0 Lead

The Celtics Discuss Their Game 1 Win vs. the Hawks: 'We Can't Take Our Foot Off the Gas'

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Game 1 Win vs. Hawks: Championship-Caliber Defense Propels Hosts in Series Opener

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.

Home/Top Stories