The Celtics' bench provided a spark, with Payton Pritchard and Grant Williams both scoring in double figures. They were able to maintain the team's momentum when the starters were resting.
The Hawks struggled to find their shooting touch, shooting just 43.6% from the field and 29.6% from beyond the arc. They will need to improve their shooting if they want to get back into the series.
The Celtics' defense was excellent, holding the Hawks to just 106 points. They were able to disrupt the Hawks' offense with their switching and communication on defense.
The Celtics' depth has been on display in the series so far, with multiple players stepping up and contributing to the team's success. If they can continue to get production from their bench, they will be a tough team to beat.
The Boston Celtics extended their lead to 2-0 in the first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday with a convincing 119-106 victory. Derrick White once again proved to be a key contributor for the Celtics, scoring 26 points on 11-for-16 shooting, along with seven rebounds, two assists, and three blocked shots.
Here are nine takeaways from the game:
Derrick White has been a dominant force for the Celtics in the series so far, putting up 22 points in Game 1 and following it up with 26 points in Game 2. He has been an excellent addition to the Celtics lineup, providing a reliable 3-point shooting option, driving to the basket, and locking up guards on defense.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown continue to play at a high level for the Celtics. Tatum scored 28 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Brown added 20 points, six rebounds, and two assists.
The Celtics were able to limit Trae Young's impact on the game, holding him to 15 points on 6-for-16 shooting. They did a good job of switching defenders on him and forcing him to take tough shots.
The Celtics' ball movement was excellent, with 31 assists on 44 made baskets. They were able to find the open man and get easy buckets.
The Celtics dominated the glass, outrebounding the Hawks 51-36. They were able to create second-chance opportunities and limit the Hawks' ability to get out on the fast break.
Jaylen Brown played another strong all-around game for the Celtics, finishing with 26 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. He was particularly effective in transition, where he used his speed and athleticism to beat the Hawks down the court for easy buckets. Brown also showed off his improved playmaking ability, making several impressive passes to set up his teammates.
The Celtics’ ball movement was once again a key factor in their victory. They finished with 30 assists on 47 made field goals, with several players contributing to the unselfish play. The Celtics consistently found the open man and made the extra pass, leading to high-percentage shots and easy baskets.
In addition to his scoring output, Derrick White has been crucial in getting the Celtics into their offensive sets quickly, according to assistant coach Joe Mazzulla. White's ability to handle the ball and take advantage of the opportunities created by teammates like Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown has made him a reliable contributor for the team. Even Celtics fans have taken notice, chanting "M-V-P" as White went to the free-throw line during the fourth quarter.
Tatum led the Celtics in scoring with 29 points and also dished out six assists. His ability to handle double teams and find the open man helped the Celtics maintain their offensive rhythm late in the game. The Hawks have struggled to contain Tatum, with no one on their roster able to match up with him effectively. This creates a domino effect for the Hawks' defense, leaving them vulnerable to other mismatches on the floor.
White has expressed his comfort and confidence in his role on the team, with Brown and Tatum encouraging him to be aggressive and play his game. This level of empowerment from his teammates has allowed White to become a reliable third star for the Celtics, providing scoring and playmaking in addition to his defensive contributions.
Overall, the Celtics have displayed depth and versatility on both ends of the floor, making them a difficult matchup for the Hawks. With players like White stepping up and contributing, the Celtics look poised to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Jaylen Brown showed up for Game 2 in a cool pair of shoes. Brown, who had 18 points and three steals, injured his hand during the second half, but he told reporters after the game that he was fine.
The Hawks played better without Trae Young on the court during Game 2, and they made a big push to close the gap while he was on the bench. Young had another poor shooting night, making only 9 of his 22 field goal attempts, including 2 of 8 from beyond the arc, and he committed five turnovers. He was also targeted by the Celtics on defense and ended up with a team-low minus-18 in the plus-minus column. The only other Hawks starter with a negative plus-minus was Clint Capela, who had a minus-5.
The Hawks struggled to get their offense going for much of the game, and they were hampered by the absence of guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, who missed the game with a knee injury. Trae Young had a solid game with 30 points and seven assists, but he didn’t get much help from his teammates. The Hawks will need more production from players like John Collins and Danilo Gallinari if they hope to make this a competitive series.
The Celtics’ defense was once again impressive, holding the Hawks to just 42.5% shooting from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. They did a good job of contesting shots and making things difficult for the Hawks’ shooters. The Celtics also did a good job of keeping the Hawks off the free-throw line, limiting them to just nine attempts.
With the series shifting to Atlanta for Games 3 and 4, the Celtics will need to continue their strong play if they hope to take a commanding lead in the series. They will need to continue to move the ball on offense and play tough defense against a dangerous Hawks team. The Hawks, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to get their offense going if they hope to get back into the series.
As Young went to the free-throw line in the fourth quarter, Celtics fans chanted "overrated" at him. It's clear that this series is a tough matchup for the undersized guard.
In Game 2, the Hawks were struggling to beat Sam Hauser on defense, resulting in their offense slowing down. De’Andre Hunter and Trae Young were particularly having a hard time getting past Hauser. Other teams have also tried to attack Hauser defensively with similar results, which suggests that Hauser is a reliable defender.
Dejounte Murray’s 13 points and three 3-pointers in the third quarter helped prevent the Hawks from being blown out. After hitting a jumper, Murray appeared to taunt Joe Mazzulla on the Celtics bench. However, Mazzulla said that Murray was just asking how his day was going and that he is a great guy.
The series will now move to Atlanta for the next two games. The Celtics won the first two games at home, but they will need to continue their strong play on the road if they want to become a championship team. Jaylen Brown emphasized the importance of maintaining the same mentality and aggressiveness they had at home, despite playing in a tough environment in Atlanta. The Celtics and the Hawks will face off in Game 3 at 7 p.m. on Friday.
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