What the Celtics Say They're Focused on for Game 2 vs. the Hawks

After doing the heavy lifting in the first half of their series-opening win, the Celtics know there are areas they need to be better in on Tuesday.

Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

The Celtics delivered a haymaker in the first half of their 112-99 win against the Hawks in Game 1. The defending Eastern Conference champions led by 30 after 24 minutes.

Defensively, their drop coverage, which led to an abundance of Dejounte Murray mid-range misses, consistently closing out to shooters, and their activity and communication in executing their scheme led to Atlanta shooting 33.3 percent from the field and going 1/16 (6.3 percent) from beyond the arc through the first two quarters.

Shooting variance working against the visitors on some quality attempts that didn't go down didn't help their cause, but their getting held to 44 points in the first half had more to do with Boston's stifling defense.

That helped the hosts maintain an up-tempo approach as they relentlessly attacked the rim, producing 36 points in the paint in the first half.

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But after the break, between the Hawks grabbing six offensive rebounds and blitzing players who had the ball with their back to the defense, helping them force nine second-half turnovers, which they converted into 11 points, the pace slowed for the Celtics.

The other ingredient in that recipe was Boston taking its foot off the gas, something it's tended to do throughout the season.

It resulted in Atlanta trimming the deficit to 12. But credit the hosts: the Celtics never let them get within single digits, swiftly responding to the visitors' runs, including a 6-0 burst early in the final frame that sent the Hawks sliding down the hill they were starting to think they could climb.

After Monday's practice at the Auerbach Center, head coach Joe Mazzulla conveyed the following when asked what his primary focus was for Game 2 after looking at the film from the series opener.

"I think understanding ourselves, knowing what we did well to be put in the situation that we were in, and then knowing how there was pockets of the game where when you're not the best version of yourself what that looks like and how we can quickly flip that back."

Malcolm Brogdon, who finished Game 1 with five points, five rebounds, and two assists in 21:26, stated, "Keep your foot on the pedal," when asked about the lessons his team learned from the series opener that he wants to implement on Tuesday.

"I think we can do that better as a team. We had some letdowns during the season, getting up big in games, 30-point leads, and seeing them dwindle...For us, it's being mature, being poised down the stretch, and keeping our foot on the pedal."

Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Al Horford told Inside The Celtics of the importance and role pace plays in Boston staying aggressive offensively, "We have to continue to play with that pace. I believe that that's the pace that is good for our team. And I feel, for whatever reason, we got a little stagnant in the second half. So, I think it's important that we continue to play the way that we want to play, which is faster."

Horford finished with six points, nine rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. While that's a solid stat line, his plus-16 plus-minus rating is more indicative of his Game 1 impact.

That includes how vital he is to the Celtics' success defensively, executing multiple roles at a masterful level, including carrying out various pick-and-roll coverages ranging from drops to switches.

Horford helped the hosts hold their guests on Saturday to 25 points or fewer in three of four quarters.

Tuesday, he said of Boston's defensive execution, "We were just very connected as a group, everybody understanding what we need to do. And I felt like we did a good job for the most part."

And then there's the battle on the boards.

The Hawks averaged 12.7 offensive rebounds after the All-Star break, the third-most in the league, per NBA.com. They corralled 14 in Game 1. The Celtics limited them to 12 second-chance points. But those added opportunities, paired with Boston's 17 turnovers, are the primary reasons Atlanta outshot the defending Eastern Conference champions 98 to 88.

It was also essential to the Hawks advancing from the play-in tournament to the playoffs, as they generated a 26-6 advantage in second-chance points in their 116-105 win against the Heat.

"We saw what they were able to do against Miami," Mazzulla expressed on Monday. "I expect them to be much more physical and look for those opportunities; they won the shot differential, so it's important for us to find ways to make sure that doesn't happen."

Horford stressed, "It's something that has to be a constant for us. We understand that second-chance points are big for them, so we have to be good. We have to continue to box out and do a good job on that end."

Much like not taking their foot off the gas, the battle on the boards is something the Celtics addressed after Game 1, knowing those two areas are critical to efficiently taking care of business against a team they're better than.

Further Reading

The Celtics Give Their Evaluation of Battle on the Boards in Game 1 Win vs. Hawks

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

Jaylen Brown Provides Update on Injured Shooting Hand, Opens Up About Playing Hometown Hawks

The Celtics Are Pushing Robert Williams to Take His Offense to the Next Level

Joe Mazzulla and Brad Stevens Discuss How the Celtics' Head Coach Has Grown in His First Year at the Helm: 'He's Been a Great Strength for Us'

Jayson Tatum is Ready for the Challenges that Await the Celtics in the Playoffs: 'We've Not Been Waiting for it But Working for it'

Jaylen Brown on His Relationship with Jayson Tatum: 'We’re a Part of Each Other’s Destiny'