4 Takeaways: Celtics dominate Hawks in Game 2 with a 119-106 win to take 2-0 series lead
In Boston, the Celtics faced a strong challenge from the Hawks, who came out with an impressive start. Although the game became more competitive in the latter half, the reigning champions of the Eastern Conference ultimately proved to be too much for the Hawks to handle. The Celtics were victorious with a final score of 119-106 in Game 2 held at the TD Garden on Tuesday. With this win, the Celtics now lead the series 2-0 as they prepare to play Games 3 and 4 in Atlanta.
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On Tuesday, the Hawks made the initial move by preventing the Celtics from establishing a rhythm in the beginning. However, the Celtics increased their defensive effort during the first quarter and took control of the game thereafter.
At the halfway point, Boston managed to turn an 11-point disadvantage into a remarkable 12-point advantage. Although it wasn’t as big as the 30-point lead they had in Game 1, the Celtics demonstrated their impressive skills. Initially, it appeared as if Boston was going to dominate the game with a comfortable 20-point lead, but Atlanta showed their resilience and did not give up easily.
Although the Hawks managed to reduce the lead to single-digits several times, creating potential for an exciting game, the Celtics were able to secure another relatively easy win thanks to some impressive late-game heroics.
Jayson Tatum was the top scorer with 29 points and also grabbed 10 rebounds on 12-for-22 shooting. Derrick White contributed 26 points to the game, whereas Jaylen Brown managed to score 18 points. Trae Young, on the other hand, had 24 points and six assists, while Dejounte Murray scored 29 points, six rebounds, and six assists for the Hawks.
The third game of the first-round series will take place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Friday at 7 p.m. After the Celtics defeated the Hawks, here are four key points to take away from the game.
MVP chants
Despite Tatum being the Celtics’ top player, the Boston supporters wanted to display their appreciation for White. In fact, towards the end of the final quarter, White received some MVP chants from the Celtics faithful due to his remarkable shooting and defense. This was exactly what the Celtics required as White was present everywhere on the court, thus contributing to their win. With 26 points and seven rebounds, White’s efficiency played a significant role. He was even cheered on with MVP chants during his free throw attempts in the fourth quarter.
The margins
The Celtics were able to control the game by dominating the interior, easily driving to the rim for points. As a result, they scored 64 points in the paint, while their opponents, the Hawks, only managed 40. Additionally, the Celtics’ exceptional 3-point shooting at a rate of 45.5% contributed to their success. Despite this, the Hawks managed to collect 19 offensive rebounds, resulting in 13 second-chance points. Furthermore, the Hawks attempted significantly more field goals than the Celtics, with 101 shots compared to the Celtics’ 86.
Backcourt production
Throughout the game, the Celtics required several players to step up and provide a significant contribution, particularly from their backcourt. Brogdon, who came off the bench, played a vital role in the game, turning it around immediately when the C’s were behind. Despite shooting 4-for-11 from the floor, he managed to accumulate 13 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists. Smart also delivered an impressive performance with 14 points, five rebounds, and six assists, along with his exceptional defense.
Rotation Check
In the playoffs, C’s coach Joe Mazzulla decided to stick with an eight-man rotation. This was the same strategy used in Game 1, with the only change being Sam Hauser replacing Grant Williams as the eighth man. It seems likely that this approach will be maintained in future games, as Hauser is considered a better fit than Williams for the team’s needs. It is worth noting that Hauser performed admirably when tasked with guarding the primary ballhandler, an area where opposing teams might attempt to exploit his weaknesses. Despite this, Hauser held his own during his 15 minutes of play, contributing three points to the team’s overall score.