The Boston Celtics took a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Atlanta Hawks Sunday night with a 129-121 win on the road. The Celtics now have a chance to punch their ticket to the next round if they can grab a win on Tuesday.
Six Celtics players scored 13 points or more, and Boston’s offensive approach was smooth and consistent. On the other side of the ball, we saw a little bend to the defense, but it never came too close to breaking, in part thanks to a few key tweaks from head coach Joe Mazzulla. All told, it was all Boston in Game 3, even if things were at times a bit close for comfort.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for 62 points and closed the game exceptionally well. But really it was the other guys in green who helped secure the win. Here’s what you missed from a 129-121 Celtics win in Game 3 of the opening round.
Have the Hawks found the formula to beat the Celtics, or was this simply a desperate team getting over on a ball club that dropped its guard just enough to be mortal after building a 2-0 series lea… https://t.co/csYpAABLWD
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 22, 2023
Boston's offense
Derrick White was once again brilliant for the Celtics. White finished the evening with 18 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists. He and the rest of Boston’s role players were excellent, taking massive pressure off of Boston’s All-Star wings.
Robert Williams III, for example, was equally brilliant. He’s been quite effective at the rim all series long, but he seems adept at slipping past Atlanta’s defense, tonight included. Williams logged 13 points, 15 rebounds, and 2 blocks on the night, although foul trouble limited his overall impact.
Marcus Smart also shined for the Celts. Not only was his defense as good as advertised, but he provided big-time offensive punch. Smart had 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Boston’s stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were quite good in this one. no doubt. But they didn’t need to be great, a huge compliment to the team’s depth and roster construction. Winning by committee is a massive advantage for this Celtics club.
Associated with the ancestors of today’s indigenous cultures of what is today Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, the Caribbean, and the US Southwest, the sport bears a clear re… https://t.co/ijYxfcBzys
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 23, 2023
Boston's defense
Boston’s ability to contain Trae Young was particularly valuable tonight. In Game 3, the two-time All-Star proved a little too much to handle for the Celtics. Young cruised to 32 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists, and his scoring success propelled the entire Hawks team to push the offensive tempo.
In Game 4, however, Boston opted for a more proactive approach in containing Young. By blitzing and sometimes double-teaming at Atlanta’s star guard, the Celtics were able to neuter an otherwise fiery Hawks offense. Young may have ended the evening with 35 points and 15 assists, but he exhaustively fought tooth and nail for every basket. Atlanta couldn’t get into rhythm, despite the big night.
Dejounte Murray benefited from this extra attention paid to Young, but wasn’t able to fully capitalize. Where Boston’s supporting cast shined, Atlanta’s didn’t step up. Outside of De’Andre Hunter, who had 27 points and 7 rebounds on the night, the Hawks as a team didn’t bring much fire power to the fight.
If there was any doubt as to why Larry Legend did not eschew a career on the court for one on the stage, this might be the best evidence we have to settle such a question. https://t.co/vNF8OfDTjJ
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 23, 2023
Looking ahead
After tonight the series shifts back to Boston for Game 5 on Tuesday. The Celtics have a chance to end the series with a fourth win and move on to the conference semi-finals where the Philadelphia 76ers will be waiting.
Another performance like tonight would be a big boost for the Celtics. This team will go as far as Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will take them. But team wins keep the floor raised and limit fatigue by sharing responsibility on either end.
Game 5 is a big opportunity for Boston to put the opening round in the books and get some extra rest. Still, with a 3-1 series lead, a loss would be far from disastrous.
It would not be an auspicious start if the Celtics advance. https://t.co/IkmMAirwaw
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 23, 2023
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