The 9-2 Boston Celtics opened up their NBA Cup, aiming for a three-game winning streak on Tuesday November 12th, when they face the visiting 4-7 Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks start the NBA Cup without leading scorer Trae Young due to right Achilles tendinitis, adding to an already extensive injury list. Boston’s fifth home game of the regular season, takes place on the colored green home court of the NBA Cup.
Jaylen Brown opened the scoring for Boston with a three-pointer from the top of the key. JB then added a layup and a free throw as he opened up the game scoring Boston’s first 6 points.
Boston struggled shooting the ball from long range, going just 3-12 from three to open the game. Jaylen Brown who played the entire first quarter paced the Celtics through the first quarter with 16 points. A late corner three from Sam Hauser saw Boston take a narrow lead 31-29. Boston struggled to contain the dribble allowing Atlanta to score 18 paint points in the quarter.
Coach Mazzulla played Tatum and Brown the entire first quarter and they both sat out the opening portion of the second quarter. To start the second quarter the team looked to Pritchard and White to keep the scoreboard ticking. Both players hit three pointers in a stretch of play where it appeared the coaching staff were trialing some possible new lineup combinations. Mazzulla had played a total of 10 players midway through the second quarter.
With 5 minutes to go in the half, Boston started to ramp up the intensity. An energetic blocked shot by Queta got the crowd involved. Boston started to make it’s three pointers late in the second quarter as the team made 6-13 threes. Al Horford scored his first two triples ending the half with 6 points whilst Derrick White added 14 points. White was involved in the highlight play of the half, with a perfectly timed lob pass to Jaylen Brown who sailed in from the wing for a two-handed rim rocker.
After an entertaining first half of NBA Cup basketball, Atlanta’s young players would keep the game within striking distance, as Boston led by 11 points, 65-54. Atlanta’s physicality in the first half was highlighted by the fact that they out rebounded Boston 33-22, 11 of which were offensive boards.
The third quarter wasn’t overly pretty to watch, Atlanta forced a fair share of deflections as Dyson Daniels had 4 steals after three and Boston’s turnover count was high with 14. Midway through the third quarter Atlanta went on a 18-7 run as Boston’s largest lead of 15 points started to evaporate. Atlanta outscored Boston behind Larry Nance’s hot shooting who was 4-5 from three, with 16 points after three quarters. Nance was certainly a surprise performer for Atlanta, after logging a DNP a week ago, when these two team’s last met. The third quarter would end at 91-84 for Boston.
It would be more of the same to start the fourth as Atlanta battled back into the game down just 2 points. An Onyeka Okongwu offensive rebound followed up by a Jalen Johnson mid range jumper saw the scores tied for the 10th time of the game at the seven minute mark.
Derrick White’s three point shooting kept Boston in the game in the fourth, as he would go on to score a season high in points with 31. Not to be outdone, Jaylen Brown would also tally a season high in points, adding 37 of his own. With scores tied at 108 apiece, Derrick White would step into a long three pointer as the Boston crowd finally found it’s second half voice.
Jaylen Brown then looked to finish off the Hawks with a three pointer of his own and a fade away elbow jumper. But in the final seconds Atlanta came up big as Okongwu got a tip-in with 7 seconds to go in the game to grab the lead 117-116. Boston then passed the ball out of court, in what would be a 20th team turnover. Jaylen Brown forced another turnover and Brown had a chance to win with a last second shot, but it rimmed wide of the bucket.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25730104/usa_today_24747145.jpg)
Atlanta hustled and played Boston tough all game. Atlanta finished the game with 20 offensive Atlanta rebounds and Dyson Daniels forced 6 steals scoring 28 points. Jalen Johnson would also finish the game with a triple double for the Hawks.
The Boston Celtics next Group C opponents in the NBA Cup will be a big test for the team as they face the conference leading Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday November 19th in game 2, of the tournament. The Chicago Bulls, and Washington Wizards round out five team Group C.
