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Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

Tatum scores 29, Celtics overcome early hole to take 2-0 series lead over Hawks

By Matt Dolloff
Apr 18, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives top the basket against Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter (12) in the second quarter during game two of the 2023 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Jayson Tatum scored 29 points to go with 10 rebounds and six assists, powering the Celtics to a 119-106 win over the Atlanta Hawks to take a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series. The Hawks built an early 11-point lead, only for the Celtics to outscore them by 24 from that point on.

The Hawks started hot, jumping out to a 22-11 lead, on the strength of some balanced scoring. After that, the Celtics closed out the first quarter on a 17-3 run to take a 28-25 lead into the second quarter.

Robert Williams gave the C’s an offensive spark off the bench with a 3-for-3 quarter, while Malcolm Brogdon’s half-court heave at the buzzer went down to put the Celtics ahead entering the second. The Celtics also tightened up their defense after the Hawks’ early run with four steals and two blocked shots as a team.

  • The Celtics’ run only continued through the second quarter, as they brought a 61-49 lead to halftime. The C’s responded to the Hawks’ 22-11 run to start the game with a 50-27 run from there to the half.

    After a slow-ish offensive start, Tatum took over in the second quarter, scoring 14 of his 29 points while shooting 6-of-9 (nice) from the field. The C’s shot 54.3 percent as a team in the first half, compared to just 41.7 percent for the Hawks.

  • The Celtics’ run continued into the third quarter, as they went up by as many as 20 points. But after the C’s went up 79-59, the Hawks closed the third on, coincidentally, another 22-11 run to make it 90-81 entering the fourth quarter. Dejounte Murray heated up for the Hawks in this quarter, scoring 13 points.

    For the C’s, Jaylen Brown led the way with eight third-quarter points as part of a balanced attack. Tatum and Marcus Smart scored six, while Al Horford added five.

  • The Celtics pulled back away in the fourth quarter, again leading by as many as 20. The Hawks tried one last rally, but it was too little too late. Derrick White was the Celtics’ closer in this one, scoring 14 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter.

    Up Next: Game 3 between the Celtics and Hawks is set for Friday night, with a 7 p.m. ET tipoff time.

    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.

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