Thursday, November 17, 2022

Celtics 126, Hawks 101: Top scorer Jaylen Brown helps C's claim eighth consecutive victory


The Celtics essentially led wire-to-wire in a 126-101 blowout over the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday night at State Farm Arena.

Jaylen Brown finished with a team-high 22 points, while Jayson Tatum had 19 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in the C's eighth straight victory.

Grant Williams added 18 points, with Sam Hauser (5-of-6 from 3-point territory) and Luke Kornet (a perfect 7-of-7) each contributed 15 points apiece off the bench.

Boston was without Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring) for a fourth consecutive game and Marcus Smart (ankle) -- who came up big in the team's comeback win at home over the Oklahoma City Thunder Monday.

Derrick White netted 16 points to go along with 10 assists as the starting point guard and Payton Pritchard chipped in 14 points on 4-of-6 attempts from behind the arc as his back-up to help the Celtics improve to a league-best 12-3 on the season.
"We got a lot of guys that can do a lot of things. That's just a credit to the depth we have," said White in his postgame interview. "Every person that goes out there, we think can contribute and do good things, and we came here on the road and got a good win."
Atlanta was held to 41.6% shooting, including 7-of-32 (21.9%) from long distance, despite Trae Young leading all scorers with 27 points (nine assists), but on 23 attempts from the field. Dejounte Murray put up 19 points, five assists and De'Andre Hunter had 13 points for the Hawks -- who fell to a 9-6 record.

The Celtics limited the home team to just 8-of-24 in the first quarter and 0-6 from 3 as the deficit grew to double-digits early (30-18). The Hawks trailed by as many as 16 before cutting it 62-53 at the break.

Boston used a 23-12 run to make it a 20-point lead with 4:36 remaining in the third period that eventually ballooned into a 31-point advantage in the fourth -- the largest of the night with 4:41 left to play.

The NBA's leading offense shot 54.5% overall and knocked down 21 treys on 45 attempts (45.7%).
"Our guys focus, they execute and do a great job working on points of emphasis," said interim head coach Joe Mazzulla in postgame presser.
The Celtics continue their mini road-trip in New Orleans Friday when they take on the Pelicans.

Game Notes:

Boston handed out 29 assists on 48 made shots to the Hawks' 21 assists on 42 baskets. The C's out-rebounded Atlanta 49-45, but were outscored in the paint 58-50.


Joel Pavón




Photo used courtesy of The Associated Press

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