Through the first two games of the Celtics-Hawks series in Boston, the Celtics dominated wire-to-wire. As the series shifted to Atlanta the Hawks certainly seemed to pick up some home court momentum. Behind a monster second quarter, the Hawks came away with a 130-122 victory at State Farm Arena in Game 3 on Friday night.

The biggest change in this game was the Hawks’ two stars heating up for the first time in this series. Trae Young finished with a game-high 32 points on 12-of-22 shooting, including 15 points in the fourth quarter alone. Dejonte Murray was also a problem, scoring 25 points on 11-of-21 shooting and adding six rebounds and five assists.

• While Young and Murray did plenty of damage in the fourth quarter, the second quarter of this game was really what did the Celtics in. Leading by four points after a high-scoring first quarter, the Celtics were outscored 41-30 in the second 12 minutes. The Celtics did manage to tie the game early in the third quarter after that run, but only briefly and didn’t have a tie or lead for the rest of the game.

  Rebounds were also an issue for the Celtics. Atlanta topped them 57-38 on the glass, and has 23 second-chance points to Boston’s nine.

  Jayson Tatum led all Celtics scorers with 29 points on 9-of-22 shooting. Marcus Smart added 24, and Malcolm Brogdon had 17 off the bench.

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  Apr 21, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) tries to control the ball against Atlanta Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter (12) during the first half during game three of the 2023 NBA playoffs at State Farm Arena. Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

• Perhaps the biggest development for the Celtics in this game was the play of Grant Williams, who played 18 minutes after not seeing the floor in Games 1 or 2. Williams contributed 14 points on 4-of-4 shooting, with all of those shots coming from deep. He also had two rebounds, two assists, and a steal.

  With the Hawks’ win, the Celtics won’t get the sweep but still have a 2-1 advantage in the series. They’ll try and get back in the win column in Game 4 on Sunday, which would give them a chance to win the series at home in Game 5 on Tuesday. Game 4 coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday on 98.5 The Sports Hub and the Sports Hub BetMGM Celtics Radio Network.

• Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].

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