After taking control for most of the game, the Celtics certainly did not make things easy for themselves late on Saturday night in Atlanta.
Boston’s worst habits that started its post-break slide came into view. Their double-digit lead was sliced down to an uncomfortable margin, and their inability to keep opponents off the offensive glass continued. Then, Marcus Smart was inexplicably ejected with less than 90 seconds to go after a skirmish with Trae Young.
But unlike their pitfalls from their three-game skid earlier this month, the Celtics never cratered or succumbed to their late-game struggles. It wasn’t nearly perfect, but the C’s had enough answers down the stretch to hold off the Hawks for a 134-125 victory to kick off their six-game road trip.
