The Boston Celtics traveled to Atlanta and put together an emphatic 123-93 victory over the Hawks. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 28 points. Derrick White had 21, Payton Pritchard had 18, and Jrue Holiday had 16. The Celtics were also without Jaylen Brown for a second consecutive game, with a hip flexor strain. A scoring boom in the second quarter gave Boston a large lead that they never looked back from as they improved to 7-1, winning their third consecutive game. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks fell to 3-5 on the season.
The Boston Celtics Dominant Start
The Boston Celtics began with a big lineup but started Neemias Queta at center over Luke Kornet. This was Queta’s first career start after he had played well off the bench in recent games. Queta did not take long to make an impact, catching a lob in the game’s opening minutes.
The Hawks and Celtics traded baskets early on with Jayson Tatum and Dyson Daniels starting out hot. Tatum had 16 first quarter points on 6-of-8 shooting. Daniels had 8 points on 4-of-4 shooting. Jalen Johnson also scored 8 points and 6 rebounds. Tatum’s explosive start helped Boston build a small lead, and at the end of the first quarter, the Boston Celtics led 35-30.
Johnson continued to play well for Atlanta, and the Hawks opened the second quarter on an 11-3 run, taking the lead. But the Celtics followed this with a run of their own, taking the lead back. The Celtics were dominant in transition, outscoring Atlanta 22-0 on fastbreak points in the first half. Tatum remained dominant in the second quarter and the Boston Celtics run seemed to never end. After trailing 44-41, Boston outscored Atlanta 34-9 to end the half.
This scoring explosion put the Boston Celtics up 75-53 at halftime. Tatum led Boston with 26 first half points, while Derrick White had 14, and Jrue Holiday and Payton Pritchard had 12. Johnson led Atlanta with 16 points. Trae Young struggled shooting the ball in the first half, going 1-of-9 from the field for a mere 2 points.
Celtics Cruise to Victory
After a lopsided second quarter, the third quarter was relatively even. The Celtics were consistently active on defense and the glass, even with the large lead. They maintained their fast break scoring, and while the lead did not grow significantly, their offense was consistent. The Boston Celtics led 103-75 at the end of the third quarter. The only downside for Boston was that Tatum cooled off in the third after a huge first half. Tatum only scored 2 points in the third quarter, which effectively put the hopes of a 50-point game out of reach.
In the fourth quarter, the Celtics and Hawks put in their bench units, so the Boston victory was all but sealed. The final score was 123-93. Tatum was the leading scorer after an explosive first half. He finished with 28 points on 10-of-21 shooting with 9 assists and 6 rebounds. White had 21 points on 8-of-16 shooting and Payton Pritchard put in 18 off the bench on 7-of-12 shooting. Johnson was a bright spot for the Atlanta Hawks, scoring 20 points and adding 11 rebounds. Onyeka Okongwu also had 18 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Young did not get any better after a poor first half, finishing with 2 points on 1-of-10 shooting.
Final Thoughts
The Boston Celtics cruised to a decisive victory after a massive second quarter run. Even without Jaylen Brown, the Celtics are full of talent and depth to compete at the highest level. Tonight, it was their effort in transition that gave them the edge and propelled their large lead. The Celtics are now 7-1 and return home to Boston to face the Golden State Warriors on November 6. The Atlanta Hawks fell to 3-5 on the season, succumbing to turnovers and a poor game from Trae Young. They stay at home to play the New York Knicks on November 6.
For More Great Content
Craving top-tier content that covers it all? From electrifying sports highlights and insider entertainment news to expert gaming tips and sharp betting advice, we’ve got you covered. Dive into our curated articles to stay ahead of the game with the latest sports action, uncover the hottest trends in entertainment, and get the lowdown on gaming strategies that could level up your play. Plus, our betting advice will sharpen your edge and boost your chances of winning big. Whether you’re looking to stay updated or gain a competitive edge, our content is your go-to source for all things exciting and relevant. Don’t miss out—explore now and power up your knowledge! Follow us on Twitter/X @TotalApexSports, to stay informed.
