The Boston Celtics (11-3) visited the Atlanta Hawks (9-5) on Wednesday. Boston wanted to push its winning streak to eight games. Atlanta wanted to build on Monday’s victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. The Celtics got 44 points from their bench in a 126-101 victory over the Hawks.
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 22 points on 10-for-17 shooting and five rebounds. Jayson Tatum scored 19 points on 6-for-19 shooting with eight assists and seven rebounds. Trae Young scored 27 points for Atlanta on 10-for-23 from the field overall and slung 9 assists. Dejounte Murray scored 19 points on 9-for-17 shooting and dished 5 assists.
Here are three observations from the Celtics’ victory over Atlanta.
Celtics Lab 154: What’s true, false, or too soon to tell about early-season Boston Celtics trends with Chris Forsberg https://t.co/2oHapGkZNQ
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) November 15, 2022
The third quarter was the big separator
A 9-point lead heading into halftime left some degree of doubt regarding the game’s outcome. But, fear not, Boston. A 7-for-12 effort from downtown in the third quarter rendered the fourth quarter nothing more than a formality.
The Celtics won the frame by 10 points, they went into the final scene with a 19-point lead, and that was all she wrote.
— Dr. Justin Quinn (@justinquinnn) November 15, 2022
3-point shooting overwhelmed the turnover and offensive glass battles
All five Celtics starters committed at least 2 turnovers to lead a 14-turnover performance on the night. Atlanta only committed 9 turnovers on the night. So, Atlanta was plus-5 in taking care of the ball.
Boston amassed 6 offensive rebounds on the night. Atlanta pulled down 14 of their own misses. The Hawks were plus-8 on the second chances.
So, how does Boston win a game in which they spot Atlanta 13 extra offensive plays and 3 free throws? That would be the power of the 3-point shot. The Celtics shot 21-for-46 from deep, while the Hawks shot 7-for-32 from beyond the arc.
It doesn’t matter how many of the “little things” battles you win. You get outshot from 3 by 14 makes, you’re losing 9 times out of 10.
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— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) November 17, 2022
The Celtics are really, really deep
Payton Pritchard scored 14 points on 5-for-8 shooting in 24 minutes off the bench. On paper, not that big of a deal. But, Pritchard was struggling to find minutes in the rotation through the first 14 games of the season. He got some minutes in this game because Marcus Smart was out with right ankle inflammation.
The Celtics also won the bench battle by 21 points. They have a point differential of plus-7.1 through 15 games — tied for best in the NBA. Oh, and Robert Williams III hasn’t touched the court yet.
— Dr. Justin Quinn (@justinquinnn) November 14, 2022
The Celtics have no shortage of depth, and they’re picking back up right where they left off last season.
The Celtics (12-3) will visit the New Orleans Pelicans (8-6) on Friday. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m., Eastern time. You can catch the action on NBC Sports Boston.
PHOTOS – Celtics at Hawks: Boston crushes Atlanta on the road 126-101 https://t.co/dspNGX5Eds
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) November 17, 2022
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