With Major Choices on the Horizon Ahead of Tomorrow’s Trade Deadline, Hawks Fall to Celtics in Road Game
In February, the Atlanta Hawks hit the road for the first time after concluding a six-game home stand with a loss to the LA Clippers. Their away game pitted them against the top team in the NBA, the Boston Celtics, marking the second encounter between the two teams this season. Despite being short-handed, the Hawks had won four of their last five games, showing improved performance.
Despite the Hawks’ commendable efforts, they couldn’t overcome the formidable Boston Celtics, who emerged victorious with a final score of 125-117. This marked the Hawks’ second consecutive loss, leaving them with a record of 22-29. The post-game analysis hinted at potential changes in the team by the next day.
Acknowledging the challenging matchups against the two best teams in the NBA, the Celtics and the Clippers, the Hawks remained competitive, showcasing opportunities to win both games. The narrative suggested avoiding panic despite the losses to elite teams.
The game unfolded with unexpected changes in the lineup due to Dejounte Murray’s last-minute exclusion, resulting in Bogdan Bogdanovic taking his place in the starting lineup alongside Trae Young, Saddiq Bey, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu. The Celtics were also missing Jrue Holiday but fielded a lineup featuring Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis.
The pre-game analysis emphasized Boston’s three-point prowess and the need for the Hawks to force missed threes while making the Celtics score at the rim. Despite Boston’s strong offensive performance early in the game, Saddiq Bey delivered a standout first half for the Hawks, contributing significantly to their 37-34 lead at the end of the first quarter.
However, Boston’s big men, Porzingis and Horford, made a considerable impact, exploiting mismatches and maintaining a lead at halftime with a score of 71-67. The Hawks showcased a competitive first half, shooting 46% from the field and 38% from three, but the Celtics’ effectiveness in the paint posed a challenge.
The third quarter continued the back-and-forth dynamic, setting the stage for a decisive fourth quarter. Although Boston shot better in the third, turnovers kept the Hawks in the game, trailing 95-90 heading into the final quarter.
A crucial run by the Celtics in the fourth quarter solidified their victory, leaving the Hawks attempting to catch up. Despite reducing the deficit to five in the final minute, the Celtics ultimately secured an eight-point win. The Hawks struggled to maintain their scoring consistency, failing to reach 30 points in either the third or fourth quarter.
Saddiq Bey’s impressive first-half performance waned in the second half, finishing with 25 points. Trae Young recorded 20 points and 10 assists, while Jalen Johnson contributed 19 points, 15 rebounds, and four assists. For the Celtics, Porzingis led with 31 points on 13-19 shooting.
The Hawks faced challenges in defense and shot-making against an elite team on the road, continuing recurring themes for the season. The focus now turns to potential adjustments and the upcoming road game against Philadelphia on Friday.
