Share

Atlanta, San Antonio Claim NBA Playoff Victories

That is a lesson the Boston Celtics are learning the hard way, as Tuesday night’s 89-72 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 2 of their first round series showed them in painstaking detail. Isaiah Thomas, a 4-for-15 mess in Game 2, poured in 42 points, and the Celtics dumped the Hawks 111-103 at TD Garden.

Advertisement

It seems the C’s are missing Bradley with the way they played in Game 2, something which can not be repeated if they do not want to face a 0-3 hole. He finished with 17 points Tuesday. The Celtics have struggled scoring in the first-half dating back to last week’s regular season finale, in which they used a dynamic second-half to defeat the Heat.

Atlanta’s Al Horford scored 17 points and blocked five shots, and Jeff Teague scored 13 points and had six assists.

The Celtics were once again hit in the mouth in the first quarter, spotting Atlanta a quick 24-3 lead that included four 3-pointers from Kyle Korver, who had scored seven points in his previous two games against the Celtics.

San Antonio’s suffocating defense held Memphis to franchise lows in total points and points in a quarter 12 years to the day after establishing those records on its way to a series sweep. With the game decided, the rookie made his first career playoff appearance in the closing minutes, getting on the court with little-used veteran guard Kirk Hinrich. “We have to start off with more energy”.

Atlanta cooled off in an ugly second quarter, allowing Boston to chip away at the lead.

The Celtics are only shooting 34% from the field and have committed 26 turnovers. Thomas is averaging 21.5 points through two games, but he has done it very inefficiently, as he is shooting just 33 percent from the floor.

For the Hawks, Dennis Schröder suffered an ankle injury in the final minutes of Game 2. The team could do nary a thing right, as they missed shots, turned the ball over and were largely ineffective. The Hawks went ice cold from the floor, connecting on 13 of 43 field goals in the second and third quarters.

“They threw a heck of a blow coming out of the first quarter, and some nights you’re just on the wrong side of that”, coach Mike Budenholzer said. The top-seeded Cavaliers received seven 3-pointers by shooting guard J.R. Smith and four from point guard Kyrie Irving in the 20-of-38 shooting effort.

Both teams will have to make changes in Game 3 in order to continue to move forward strong. And, unlike the Celtics, the Hawks have the offensive weapons capable of taking advantage of those looks when presented with them.

“The outplayed us in every category that first quarter”, Celtics coach Brad Stevens said, telling no lies.

“I guess we’ll see what happens”, he said.

Atlanta obviously feels good where it stands, but Korver said the team is wary of awaits them in Boston.

“Any time that you’re in the seat that I am, you’re trying to figure out any which way to get the best possible shot”, Stevens said. Even guard Marcus Smart is playing with bruised ribs, but is expected to practice Thursday. Recalled G/F Lamar Patterson from the D-League before the game to bolster depth.

Advertisement

Curry didn’t participate in the shootaround before Game 2 so his absence wasn’t a surprise.

Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics get ready for Game 3