Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

Celtics ride dominant first half to Game 1 victory over Hawks

By Matt Dolloff

Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 29 points, as the Celtics dominated the first half then held off a late rally to beat the Atlanta Hawks 112-99 in Game 1 of the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

Boston built a rather casual 10-point lead after one quarter, mainly on the strength of Jayson Tatum’s shooting and their defense against the Hawks’ Trae Young. Tatum scored 13 points on 6-of-10 from the floor in the first quarter alone. Young, mostly with Derrick White defending him 1-on-1, scored just two on 1-of-7.

  • The onslaught continued in the second quarter, as the Celtics’ bench kept on scoring while the starters took turns on the bench. White stepped up with 16 points in the first half, to go with his tenacious defense. The Celtics shot 60 percent as a team in the first half, compared to just 33.3 percent for the Hawks.

    The big highlight for the C’s in the second quarter was a slick bounce-pass from Marcus Smart to Jaylen Brown, who finished with a thunderous dunk.

  • After building a 74-44 halftime lead, the Celtics tied the NBA record for the biggest halftime margin in history.

    The Hawks did their damndest to make Game 1 interesting down the stretch, going on a 39-22 run from the third quarter into the first four minutes of the fourth. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla called a timeout after the Hawks began the fourth on an 8-2 run.

    And Mazzulla’s team responded, coming out with a quick 11-4 run to build their lead back up to 20. The Hawks battled back to within 12 after that, as the C’s shooting went ice-cold.

  • BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 15: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics takes a shot against John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs between the Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden on April 15, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

    BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 15: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics takes a shot against John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs between the Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden on April 15, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

  • Al Horford stopped the bleeding with a three-pointer to make it 110-95 with under three minutes remaining, and the C’s were able to hold off the Hawks’ rally from there.

    Game 2 between the Celtics and Hawks will take place on Tuesday night at TD Garden, with a 7 p.m. tipoff.

    Click here for complete Boston Celtics coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

    Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

NEXT: Full Schedule For Celtics-Hawks Playoff Series

Sign me up for the 98.5 The Sports Hub email newsletter!

Get the latest Boston sports news and analysis, plus exclusive on-demand content and special giveaways from Boston's Home for Sports, 98.5 The Sports Hub.

*
*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Tags
,,,,