The Boston Celtics earned a 112-99 Sport 1 win towards the Atlanta Hawks, and for those who picked this sequence to be a fast sweep, there’s little we noticed in the present day that ought to push you to vary your thoughts. Each Celtic within the rotation who suited up in the present day had an stable sport indirectly, however Boston’s two greatest gamers led the way in which whereas Trae Younger (16 factors on 28% capturing) struggled for Atlanta. Jaylen Brown posted a clean 29 factors and 12 rebounds whereas Jayson Tatum put up his solution 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 is able to 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 by the primary quarter throughout the top 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 scorching from behind the 3-point line, reworking what was a standard 20-point blowout right into a 30-point bloodbath.
Attention-grabbing lineup notice: the Celtics’ rotation switched up slightly bit. Hardly ever the primary sub out, Marcus Good (11 factors, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks) was the primary participant to go to the bench for Robert Williams (12 factors, 8 rebounds) after guarding John Collins (12 factors) for just a few possessions to open the sport. At the moment, 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 towards 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 comfy. Whereas Atlanta crashed the boards typically within the second quarter, it didn’t truly 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 worthwhile to ATL this sequence contemplating DeAndre Hunter was taking part in matador protection on the Jays.
Atlanta’s perimeter protection is simply manner too poor to offer 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 manner again to . . . a 19-point deficit getting into the fourth quarter. That is one thing to regulate, although, since you don’t need Atlanta getting any type of confidence. Sweeps are made mentally earlier than the sequence reaches the ultimate sport. That features protecting your foot on the fuel and maximizing relaxation for the celebs.
Sadly, the Celtics continued to idiot round to start out the fourth, letting the deficit get as little as 12 factors. The run prolonged to 32-12 because the Hawks battled with extra power. Bogdan Bogdanovic turned up, making issues a bit extra fascinating. Just a few 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 in all probability ends sooner if Robert Williams performed extra minutes.
For what it’s price, Atlanta checked out its greatest when Trae Younger was on the bench. Joe Mazzulla may have loads to choose at in movie classes to maintain the workforce sharp after that lackadaisical second half. If Boston can hold controlling the boards, they’ll get loads of relaxation earlier than the subsequent spherical.
Sport 2 towards Atlanta will probably be Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. ET on NBATV as Boston goes for the 2-0 sequence lead.
