BOSTON — The Hawks will be ready for the Celtics this time. Boston ambushed them in Game 1, but now they know what’s coming. The Hawks had time to regroup since that beat down on Tuesday. They’ll give a competitive effort in Game 2. Winning will come down to making winning plays when it matters most.
That’s where Trae Young comes in. The Hawks have no chance to win Game 2 on Tuesday if their best player is less than good. Boston has a lot of mismatches. The Hawks need to leverage their one clear advantage in the Eastern Conference playoff series.
Young is the best playmaking and scoring point guard in the world when he’s sharp. But it’s been a while since he’s been at his best in the playoffs. Young was far from the only Hawks player to stumble against the Celtics in Game 1. He’s the lead guy, though, so he more than anyone Hawks players needs be better in Game 2.
