The Hawks have had their moments in these first two video games, however they merely haven’t had sufficient fortitude or firepower to resist the relentless avalanche that’s the Boston Celtics.
Boston earned a hard-fought, 119-106 Recreation 2 win Tuesday at TD Backyard to take a 2-0 sequence lead. This one was usually extra aggressive than the final, but the ultimate margin was the identical.
Jayson Tatum led the way in which with 29 factors, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Derrick White poured in 26 on 11-of-16 capturing, Jaylen Brown added 18 and Malcolm Brogdon and Al Horford every completed plus-20. White, specifically, was a catalyst in vital moments.
The ultimate rating doesn’t inform the entire story, nevertheless it does present how harmful the Celtics might be even after aa sluggish begin.
The Hawks jumped out to a 22-11 edge, as Trae Younger and De’Andre Hunter bought in a rhythm early and hit photographs that Atlanta missed the majority of Recreation 1.
Robert Williams responded with three straight layups, spearheading an 11-0 run to tie it. Brogdon nonchalantly banked in a half-court heave as time expired, serving to the Celtics take a 28-25 lead by means of one.
It felt just like the Celtics bought the Hawks’ greatest shot, however they flicked it apart as if it have been nothing and seized command.
Sam Hauser canned a nook 3 and performed admirable protection early within the second. Brogdon stayed aggressive and attacked the basket. Tatum missed a bunny and instantly answered with a string of buckets. Boston capitalized in transition and constructed a 61-49 halftime edge.
The Celtics shot 54.3 p.c from the sphere and had 5 blocks. Tatum led the way in which with 18 factors and 7 rebounds within the half, White added 12 and Brogdon completed plus-21 with six assists in 16 minutes. Typically plus-minus might be deceptive, however on this case, it was something however.
Horford swatted a shot on one finish and drained a 3 on the opposite to push the margin to 79-59 halfway by means of the third, however Dejounte Murray caught hearth late to chop the Celtics’ result in 90-81 by means of three.
Marcus Sensible additionally had a robust quarter for the Celtics, and Jaylen Brown discovered a rhythm, however Atlanta didn’t go away quietly.
Bogdan Bogdanovic caught hearth early within the fourth, because the margin fluctuated between single and double digits, however White continued to regular the Celtics. Celtics followers serenaded him with “M-V-P” chants, as he helped steer Boston to victory.
Each time the Celtics wanted to make a play, they did – the signal of a group greater than able to profitable all of it.
Recreation 3 is Friday evening at 7 p.m. in Atlanta.
