Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Loss in Game 3 vs. Hawks: Boston Struggles to Find Balance as Atlanta Extends Series
The Celtics knocked down 15 threes in the first two frames, a franchise record for their most makes beyond the arc in one half.
But a lack of resistance defensively, including not getting bodies on bodies consistently enough, led to the Hawks producing 34 points in the paint, including ten on second-chance opportunities. Atlanta generated 74 points through 24 minutes, the most in franchise history in one half of a playoff game.
That exemplified Boston's inability to play complementary basketball, struggling to pair effective offense with lockdown defense.
Now, a deep dive into what stood out as the Hawks earned a 130-122 win, ensuring this series goes at least five games.
1. The Hawks started the game with Clint Capela on Marcus Smart instead of Al Horford. The hope was it would translate to him being more present at the rim, helping off the Celtics' floor general. But Boston quickly capitalized with Jaylen Brown getting a deep seal and swishing a turnaround jumper.
2. Derrick White picked up his second foul less than four minutes into the game. In came newly minted Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon, who drilled a three and dished out two assists in two minutes.
Brogdon registered eight points on 3/4 shooting and distributed three assists in 8:13 in his first shift.
3. In a surprise move, Joe Mazzulla leaned into his bench, surrounding Jayson Tatum with Brogdon, Robert Williams, Sam Hauser, and Grant Williams for the first time in this series.
The latter quickly capitalized on his first playoff minutes, burying a three from the left corner. He finished the period with six points, making both his shots from behind the arc, two assists, and a steal.
4. Despite Boston knocking down 9/16 threes (56.3 percent), making seven more than Atlanta in the first frame, a poor close to the quarter, especially on defense, resulted in just a 37-33 lead after 12 minutes.
The hosts also parlayed four offensive rebounds into eight second-chance points, highlighting the visitors' need to do better getting bodies on bodies and win the race to 50/50 balls.
Extended possessions also helped the Hawks produce a 20-8 advantage in points in the paint.
5. Defensively, the Celtics were abysmal in the second frame. They gave up 41 points as Atlanta shot 73.9 percent from the field, including 6/9 (66.7 percent) from three-point range.
The hosts produced 14 points in the paint, entering halftime with a 34-10 edge in that category.
They also got 35 points from their bench, including 15 on 6/6 shooting from Bogdan Bogdanovic and 12 from Saddiq Bey, who knocked down all four of his attempts.
The Hawks also got ten points and seven assists from Trae Young in his most impactful half of the series so far.
Still, even after such a lopsided second quarter, including being on the wrong end of a 20-5 run, the Celtics are only down seven, 74-67, with an entire half in front of them.
That's largely due to making 15 threes, a franchise record for a half in a playoff game.
Now, it's time for them to tighten up defensively.
6. Boston got a terrific performance from Marcus Smart on Friday. The Celtics' floor general was at the center of holding Atlanta to 26 points in the third frame and keeping the visitors within seven for much of the second half.
Smart finished with 24 points, a team-high eight assists, and matched Jaylen Brown for a game-high three steals.
7. But the Hawks' backcourt also stepped up. Young stuffed the stat sheet with 32 points, leading all participants, nine assists, six rebounds, and two blocks. Dejounte Murray registered 25 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
With 45.4 seconds left in the final frame, the duo accounted for 14 of the hosts' last 15 points, including back-to-back corner threes that put Atlanta up six with 1:40 left. Young added to that with a floater and two free throws, extending the lead to 128-121 with 36 seconds remaining.
Their efforts are at the root of why the Hawks staved off the Celtics in the final frame, pulling out a 130-122 win, ensuring this series goes at least five games.
Up Next
Game 4 between the Celtics and Hawks tips off Sunday at 7:00 p.m. EST. Inside The Celtics will have content related to the game before, during, and afterward. And follow @BobbyKrivitsky on Twitter for updates and analysis from pregame to post.
Further Reading
Ime Udoka 'Serious Candidate' to Become Head Coach of Celtics' Division Rival
Malcolm Brogdon Discusses Winning Sixth Man of the Year: 'I'm In a Really Good Situation'
[Film Room] Derrick White's Assertiveness Leads to 26 Points, MVP Chants as Celtics Take 2-0 Lead
The Celtics Discuss Their Game 1 Win vs. the Hawks: 'We Can't Take Our Foot Off the Gas'
