ATLANTA — The Celtics took the Hawks’ best punch in Game 3. They gave them credit for their tough shot-making. But make no mistake, they weren’t happy.
They were punished on the glass. The Hawks had imposed their will on them. A day after the loss – after the Hawks had made this a series, at least briefly – Robert Williams called out the Celtics’ effort. They knew they had to be better.
On Sunday, the Celtics reversed the narrative. And then they regained control of the series.
Williams set the tone. The Celtics, maybe for the first time in this series, took back the glass. The Hawks’ shot-making, naturally, cooled off. And then the Celtics’ stars showed up when they needed them. Jayson Tatum scored 31 points, Jaylen Brown, now without his mask, also poured in 31 points. Each delivered haymakers and daggers as they took control of the fight, and the Celtics held off the Hawks with a 129-121 victory in Game 4.
The Celtics can now finish off this series at home on Tuesday night, after taking a 3-1 series lead. One victory separates them from a matchup with the 76ers in the second round.
