Hawks 117, Celtics 106

 

Time to play America's favorite genning game: in what quarter of last night's game did the Celtics underperform? 

Ig you guessed the first, you are correct! The Celtics played like shit in the first, giving up 38 points to the Atlanta Hawks while only scoring 18 themselves. They let the Hawks go on a 12-0 run in the first five minutes of the game, followed by a 12-2 run. 

The Celtics outrebounded the Hawks in the game, 51-38, but committed 16 turnovers to the Hawks' nine The Hawks three-point percentage (42.9) was higher than the Celtics (26.5) and they completed twice as many three-pointers (16) as Boston (eight). Just a terrible performance by the C's all around: Brown scored 21 points, but Pritchard, Hauser, and Simons all followed with only 12 points each. Probably the most telling statistic is the Celtics were -30 when Pritchard was on the floor and -24 when Brown was on the court.

The Celtics are 5-5 in their last 10 games. Even without Tatum playing, this team could and should do better. With the loss, the Celtics move into a tie with the Knicks for first place in the Division and for second in the Conference. 

Friday, the Sacramento Kings (12-36) will come to the Garden. I expect better things from the Celtics then.