The Boston Celtics are advancing to the next round of the 2023 NBA playoffs thanks to a 128-120 win over the Atlanta Hawks Thursday night. The Celtics will face the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, with Game 1 tipping off Monday night in Boston.
It was a competitive affair from start to finish in Game 6 down in Atlanta. The explosive Hawks offense made it difficult for the Celts to find any sort of defensive rhythm, and even as Boston turned up the heat down the stretch, Atlanta refused to quit. The Celtics may have escaped with a win, but the Hawks played them tight to the final horn.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown came up big in the fourth quarter for Boston. As did Marcus Smart and Al Horford. They paired huge offensive plays with renewed and timely defensive intensity. Here’s what you may have missed from Game 6 between the Celtics and the Hawks.
Check out the worst seasons in Boston Celtics history. Which seasons saw the C’s win the fewest games? https://t.co/l6WsE87KqR
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 27, 2023
Boston's offense
The Celtics offensive approach in this one was fantastic. They shot the ball well, and finished 18-for-42 from deep. They had 24 assists to a respectable 7 turnovers. Boston’s scoring was efficient and reliable.
Jayson Tatum may have scored just 5 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, but he came up with some of the biggest plays of the game, including an epic dunk. Tatum finished with 14 rebounds and 7 assists as well. Jaylen Brown, meanwhile was an offensive menace for Boston, especially when the team’s scoring effort slowed. Brown had 32 points and 5 rebounds.
Most importantly, Boston outscored Atlanta 18-7 in the final stretch of the game, just good enough to secure a win and advance. Across the board it was a sharp showing from head coach Joe Mazzulla’s high-octane offense, but coming up big in crunch time matters just a little bit more.
Yabu ended up bodyslamming a player in the chaos. https://t.co/Tso6idwFRD
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 27, 2023
Boston's defense
Defense was in short supply for the Celtics for much of the game. It’s worth noting Atlanta had one of the top offenses during the regular season in the entire NBA, including the No. 4 offense after the All-Star break. Containing the Hawks was always going to be a difficult challenge. The much was clear in Game 6.
Trae Young was once again brilliant. He finished with 30 points and 10 assists. As has been the case all series long, his offensive gravity makes everything easier for his teammates. Credit Dejounte Murray, who had a strong scoring night as well. With their season on the line Atlanta’s best players rose to the occasion.
With the game on the line, however, Boston’s defensive prowess reemerged. Atlanta suddenly struggled mightily at the rim, while the Celtics racked up blocks and forced turnovers. That Boston won the game by settling in on both ends of the ball is a great sign.
Can we trust this version of the Boston Celtics not to repeat the mistakes that have cost them a title in the past? https://t.co/Dj44hGtVti
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 27, 2023
Looking ahead
Boston’s now turns its attention to Philadelphia. The Celtics won 3 of 4 meetings with the Sixers in the regular season, and have had great success against their divisional rival in recent years. The last time the two teams met in the postseason back in 2020, Boston grabbed a four-game sweep.
Things will be more challenging this time around. Joel Embiid is the presumptive MVP, and will give Boston’s defense everything they can handle. The sort of lapses we saw in the first round from the Celtics may not be so easy to dismiss against the Sixers.
Congrats to the Hawks for a hard-fought series. For Boston, though, the business remains unfinished.
Check out this account of one of Boston’s best bigs to suit up for the Celtics. https://t.co/IEkW3JeU4M
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 27, 2023
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