The Atlanta Hawks were in Boston on Wednesday evening to take on the Celtics. The Hawks came into the game riding a three-game winning streak, and they were looking to get revenge on the Celtics after
the blowout they handed them at home just a few weeks ago.
As for the Celtics, they’ve been one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference this year, and have played well at home. It was going to be a tough matchup for the Hawks, but it looks like they had found a rhythm over the past few games.
The Hawks came out blazing to start the game, and went on a 10-0 run to give them a sizeable lead.
Jalen Johnson spoke about how Quin Snyder wanted him to be more aggressive on the boards, and he put those skills to work, getting his own rebound and putting it back up for the and-one.
The three-pointers were raining for the Hawks in the first, and Dyson Daniels was able to make another one for the second game in a row.
The defense was strong in the first half, and they didn’t allow the Celtics to make a run to cut down their deficit. Nickeil Alexander-Walker joined in on the three-point fun and knocked down a pair in the first quarter to help the Hawks gain a 21-point lead.
Going into the second quarter, the Hawks were clicking on all cylinders and led 38-18.
The Hawks kept the intensity going to start the second, and Onyeka Okongwu turned defense into offense on this play.
The Celtics weren’t going to lay down for long, and they started to make their run as the second quarter continued. They were able to cut their deficit down to as low as 12, but the Hawks answered back.
CJ McCollum hit some timely shots to keep the Hawks afloat.
The Hawks extended their lead back to over 20 points as they continued to knock down three after three. The Celtics once again made a run, and this time it was toward the end of the first half, but the Hawks still led 60-46 going into halftime.
The Hawks ran it back up at the beginning of the third quarter, and they used ball movement to lead the way.
Okongwu knocked down a three-pointer to give the Hawks a 23-point lead.
The Celtics started to make their run again, and they were able to cut their deficit down to as less as 11 points. Johnson used his strength to get to his spot and knock down this shot.
Things definitely started to get physical down the stretch of the third, and both teams had their issues with the referees, and it even led to Joe Mazzulla getting a technical foul. The Celtics were able to cut down their deficit to nine late in the quarter, but the Hawks brought their lead back to double digits.
Daniels was able to get to his floater.
McCollum did what he did best, and it’s getting buckets.
Going into the fourth quarter, the Hawks led 87-76.
Daniels had active hands all game, and his fifth steal of the game led to a layup for Luke Kennard.
The Hawks stayed afloat as the fourth continued, and Johnson got this three-pointer to roll in.
There wasn’t much that the Celtics could do, as the Hawks kept the pressure on, and continued knocking down shot after shot. The Hawks were so dialed in that Alexander-Walker got a last second three-pointer to go – with his left hand.
Mazzulla waved the white flag early, and it signaled that the Hawks had walked away with a comfortable win.
Alexander-Walker finished with 21 points, Johnson finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds, Okongwu finished with 17 points and six rebounds (maybe some missing teeth), and Daniels finished with 15 points, six rebounds, and nine assists.
The Hawks will be back in action tomorrow against the Houston Rockets.
