Sunday afternoon the Boston Celtics played host to the Atlanta Hawks to conclude the 2022-23 regular season, grabbing a 120-114 win in the process. Boston will end the year with a 57-25 record and the No. 2 seed in the East as the playoffs begin next week.
Both sides rested their key players, making this Easter tilt a showcase for role players and bench guys, and while Boston saw key contributions from guys like Mike Muscala am Hauser, it was Payton Pritchard who stole the show. Pritchard ended the night with 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists securing his first career triple-double as a professional in the process. (He also logged 46 minutes of action, suggesting his injured heel is doing okay.)
The Celtics now turn their attention to the postseason. As the second seed in the East, Boston will face the winner of Tuesday’s game between the Hawks and Miami Heat. For now, here’s what you may have missed from Sunday’s action.
‘I’m enjoying being here,’ says Jaylen Brown of playing for the Celtics https://t.co/RGVOFX6fy7
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 9, 2023
Boston's offense
This game was all about the 3-pointer. The Celtics shot 25-for-54 from deep on the afternoon. In fact, in the first quarter alone, 18 of Boston’s 22 field goal attempts were 3-pointers.
Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard set the tone for the Celtics. Pritchard ended the game shooting 9-for-16 from distance. Hauser, who tied his career-best with 26 points, shot 8-for-14 from 3.
The Celtics ranked No. 2 in 3-point attempts per game with 42.4 shots from deep heading into today’s action. Boston also ranked No. 6 in 3-point percentage at 37.5% as a team. Sunday may have been some extra razzle-dazzle for the fans in attendance but the 3-point shot has been a key weapon for the Celts all year long.
Al Horford thinks Derrick White is a lock for All-Defensive first team https://t.co/SxD76OyBpz
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 9, 2023
Boston's defense
On the other side of the ball, Boston entered Sunday’s game with the No. 2 ranked defense in the NBA. The 3-point shooting may be the calling card for this team, but the defense will be its foundation this spring.
Defense was in short supply against the Hawks, however, who returned the favor with an equally pedestrian defensive effort. Both teams rested key guys ahead, and the role players who stepped up were a little more dialed in on the offensive side of the equation.
Two-way players JD Davison and Mfiondu Kabengele did get meaningful burn, a tribute to Boston’s depth and internal development.
What is the difference between the good and bad versions of the Boston Celtics this season? https://t.co/RuQ7AQwrZl
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 9, 2023
Looking ahead
At the time of this writing, the official postseason schedule hasn’t been announced, but expect the Celtics to have a week or so of rest before the first round begins. This should give Boston a chance to nurse any lingering injuries and head into the playoffs with a clean bill of health.
The Celtics will have home court advantage this spring, save a possible series with the Milwaukee Bucks. Boston and Milwaukee have nearly identical home and road records, so there may not be much of a competitive advantage in that regard either way.
It was a stellar regular season for the Celtics, and Boston has a bonafide chance to bring home the Larry O’Brien Trophy. On the playoffs we go!
🚨NEW CELTICS LAB PODCAST🍀🏀🚨@CelticsLab spoke with @JackSimoneNBA of @celticsblog and Heavy as they preview the Celtics playoffs!
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— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) April 9, 2023
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