The reigning champions open the ball at home in this “ NBA Cup » and, for the occasion, the Celtics received Hawks notably orphans of Trae Young, injured.
Enough to allow Dyson Daniels (28 points, 7 passes, 6 interceptions), Jalen Johnson (18 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals) or even Clint Capela (18 points, 9 rebounds) to stand out, but above all to Atlanta to take it to Boston (117-116). Despite Jaylen Brown (37 points) or Derrick White (31 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists), and with a victorious basket of Mr. Okongwu (15 points, 6 rebounds) with 6 seconds remaining.
Crushed in the racket, the Celtics will nevertheless have been in the lead for more than three quarters. Except that the Hawks, uninhibited, never gave up even when they were around fifteen points behind. And, by staying at a reasonable distance from the champion, without panicking, they will have ended up succeeding in the “run” which restarted everything in the fourth quarter…
Before taking advantage of a mistake by Jrue Holiday and Jayson Tatum on a throw-in, then a miss by Jaylen Brown on match point, to pocket a prestigious success in Massachusetts, after a suspenseful “money-time” . Special mention, too, for the pair Larry Nance Jr. – Keaton Wallace with all their combativeness.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Atlanta, heroic and hyperactive. With their group of versatile and athletic youngsters, the Hawks continued to hurt the Celtics in the paint. Proof of this is: Onyeka Okongwu’s “game winner” after an offensive rebound, while Quin Snyder’s players obtained a string of second chances with Okongwu, Clint Capela, Jalen Johnson, Larry Nance Jr. and Zaccharie Risacher. Dominant under the circle, they also pushed Boston to make mistakes by being aggressive in order to cause turnovers.
– Boston punished for its indiscipline. Did the Celtics take this meeting too lightly? Not impossible, because they lost against the Hawks deprived of Trae Young, Bogdan Bogdanovic or even De’Andre Hunter and led by a group of young people who just wanted more than them. In the lead almost the entire game, under the leadership of Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, the champions will never have killed Atlanta because of their internal fragility and their lost balls. On arrival, this is not forgiving and it is proof that the slightest relaxation is paid for in this league. No matter the lead, the injuries or the status…
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
