1. Ridiculous First Half Scoring Show
The Boston Celtics went completely nuclear on the Atlanta Hawks, profitable 132-106. Boston had an unimaginable scoring evening, particularly within the first half. They scored 82 factors and 52 of these factors got here within the second quarter alone. By way of Dick Lipe on X, that 52 level second quarter is the 2nd highest quarter in Celtics historical past, solely trailing the 54 level 4th quarter they scored vs. the San Diego Clippers on 2/25/1970. Within the first half, Boston shot 30-48 (63%) from the sphere and 14-24 (58%) from three.
2. Jaylen Brown’s Homecoming
On the day earlier than this recreation, Jaylen Brown went again to his previous highschool, Wheeler Excessive Faculty in Marietta the place he bought his quantity retired. Brown was a 5-star recruit popping out of Georgia and in his 2014-2015 senior 12 months, Brown averaged 28 factors and 12 rebounds to assist lead Wheeler to a 30-2 file and a 6A state title.
This homecoming should have impressed Brown on this recreation, ending with 41 factors on 14-30 taking pictures in solely half-hour.
Brown was automated from the soar on this recreation, scoring 18 factors within the first quarter. His first basket of the sport noticed him slicing by the lane for a floater on the quick break. The subsequent bucket got here on a swap with Onyeka Okongwu. Brown attacked the basket, initiated contact, and completed over the Hawks huge man. The third basket got here on a midrange jumper over Nickeil Alexander-Walker much like his fourth basket which was a midrange jumper over each Jalen Johnson and Mouhaned Gueye. His fifth basket after Jordan Walsh set a pleasant display that resulted in a large open three. The ultimate bucket was his better of the quarter the place he drove on Okongwu, bought him to leap, and completed the layup for an And-1.
The second quarter is the place Brown scored his subsequent 11 factors, beginning off with one other good layup over Vit Krejci. His second basket was possibly his finest play of the evening the place he bought fouled by Krejci on the best way up. Brown then blindly threw up a circus shot that went in, trying like Michael Jordan. Brown completed the quarter bullying smaller Hawks defenders. His third basked got here on one other midrange jumper over Alexander-Walker whereas his remaining basket noticed him put CJ McCollum within the weight room on a driving layup.
By the third quarter, you might inform Brown was within the zone and he set the tone together with his first shot coming from simply inside the emblem for a deep three. His subsequent basket concerned Luka Garza setting an excellent display that Brown was capable of go round for a reverse layup. Brown continued to assault Gueye for his remaining two buckets. He went to work within the midrange with a half-spin right into a driving layup for an And-1 on his third basket. Then he completed off his homecoming with a wonderful midrange jumper.
3. Sam Hauser, Flame Thrower
Sam Hauser is arguably the most effective shooter in NBA historical past to put on quantity 30. Nicely, possibly not, however when he’s scorching, Hauser can flip into prime Steph Curry and utterly takeover a recreation. On this matchup towards Atlanta, he completed with 30 factors on 10-21 taking pictures from three. His taking pictures numbers are a little bit bit skewed because of the truth that he was shot-chucking within the fourth quarter to try to break the Celtics all time file for threes in a recreation held by Marcus Good at 11. Hauser does occupy 3 of the highest 10 most three pointers in a recreation in Celtics historical past, this being the second time he hit 10 threes in a recreation, the primary coming towards the Wizards on 3/17/2024.
Hauser did break an NBA file nonetheless, trying essentially the most threes in NBA historical past with out taking a two-point shot. All 21 of Hauser’s shot makes an attempt got here from past the arc, breaking the earlier file that was initially held by J.R. Smith, Malik Beasly, and Malik Monk at 17.
After hitting one three within the first quarter, Hauser went on a tear within the second quarter, taking pictures 6-6 from past the arc. The primary three of the quarter was a working pull up jumper after relocating on a Gueye try. The second got here after working round a Garza display right into a pull up jumper over McCollum. The third was extensive open from the nook after some good ball motion. Hauser was feeling himself by the fourth one the place he bought a immediately three over a late contest by Jalen Johnson. The fifth got here on a large open three from the wing on a pleasant move from White. Lastly, he ended the quarter together with his finest play of the evening. After Brown missed a 3, Hauser stole the ball from McCollum and multi functional movement threw up a warmth test over Krejci that had the Celtics bench going loopy.
4. Neemias Queta Unimaginable Effort
One thing that’s going to be misplaced in Brown’s 41-Level Homecoming efficiency and Hauser’s 10 Three Pointer Recreation is how stable Neemias Queta was. Queta completed with 14 factors and seven rebounds on 5-7 taking pictures but it surely actually felt like he was aggressive on the boards and looking his shot early on.
This play on the 8:41 mark of the second quarter is an ideal instance of what I’m speaking about. After Simons threw up a lob that Queta couldn’t deal with, Gueye bought the rebound for the Hawks. Queta didn’t hand over on the play nonetheless, stealing the ball away and going again up for a thunderous two-handed jam.
The opposite play I’ve to indicate is that this vicious poster that Queta had on Vit Krejci. With White dealing with the ball, Queta was capable of slip out of a display to obtain the ball in a large open lane to the basket. Krejci nonetheless needed to indicate some defensive effort and paid the last word value. Click on! Click on! Welcome to your Kodak Second, Vit Krejci.
5. Derrick White Did a Little of Every part
Derrick White completed this recreation fairly fairly on the scoring entrance with 7 factors on 3-4 taking pictures however his fingerprints had been on each different a part of this recreation. White tied his Celtics profession excessive with 12 assists on this recreation alongside 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block. White was capable of exhibit his protection on the opening play of the second half. White intercepted a Jalen Johnson move and took all of it the best way again for a simple two factors.
I’d say his finest help of the evening got here on his remaining one within the third quarter. White was across the high of the three level line and fired a cross-court move to a large open Hauser within the nook for 3.
6. Baylor Scheierman Stepped Up
When Payton Pritchard was dominated out of this recreation with left ankle soreness, Baylor Scheierman was elevated to the beginning lineup for the second time in his final three video games and he was a constructive contributor. Scheierman crammed up the stat shat, ending with 9 factors, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and three steals whereas taking pictures 3-6 from past the arc. Baylor was exhibiting off early on this recreation, getting a pleasant move from Brown and hitting a no-dip three within the nook.
The three steals is the large factor I need to spotlight from his recreation tonight. The primary one got here when he doubled Jalen Johnson and was capable of take it away. This led to a quick break alternative for the Celtics that resulted in a large open three from Anfernee Simons. The second steal got here when Johnson handed it to Okongwu below neath the basket the place Scheierman was capable of wrestle the ball away from him and go the opposite manner. The final steal might need been my favourite nonetheless, intercepting a move from McCollum and diving within the flooring to get possession of it. These hustle performs are what I like to see out of Baylor Scheierman.
7. Unimaginable Ball Motion
Once I consider essentially the most lovely performs on a basketball courtroom, someplace on the high of that record is gorgeous ball motion resulting in a basket. There’s something so soothing about seeing three passes alongside the perimeter into a large open three or simple bucket beneath. The Celtics did an excellent job of this towards the Hawks, ending with 27 assists as a crew. My favourite of the evening got here within the second quarter the place the ball began with Scheierman passing it to Queta. Queta handed to Hauser and slipped in direction of the basket. Hauser then discovered White extensive open within the nook who instantly zipped it to the block for Queta to place in a large open layup.
Not solely did the Celtics go on a scoring barrage on this recreation, they had been additionally capable of stifle the Hawks offense all evening lengthy. Atlanta completed the sport taking pictures 38-102 (37%) from the sphere and 15-46 (33%) from three whereas committing 11 turnovers. Boston additionally completed with 9 steals and eight blocks on the evening, actually imposing their will on a Hawks crew that didn’t even appear like they needed to be there. It felt like Atlanta was taking part in a preseason recreation on the market and Boston took full benefit of it.
The Celtics have performed an excellent job at rebounding the basketball of their win towards the Warmth on Thursday and that carried over into this recreation. Boston out-rebounded Atlanta 55-47 and nearly each participant on the Celtics completed with a minimal of two rebounds on the evening regardless of what number of minutes they performed. That is the kind of power that Joe Mazzulla appears for relating to being dominant on the glass. If Boston can proceed to rebound at this fee, I ponder in the event that they don’t look to commerce for a middle on the deadline and trip with the rotation of Queta and Garza with Jayson Tatum coming again.
10. Maine Celtics Appearances
Anytime there’s a blowout of this proportion, by the fourth quarter the two-way gamers usually get their probability to shine. On this case, Ron Harper Jr. and Amari Williams had been capable of play and confirmed some good flashes. Harper Jr. performed 6 minutes within the fourth quarter and completed with 3 factors and three rebounds on 1-2 taking pictures. The Celtics ran a pleasant play that began with Xavier Tillman on the block who handed it again out to Scheierman on the three level line. Baylor then whipped a move to Harper Jr. the place he was capable of knock down the extensive open three.
Williams performed your complete fourth quarter and completed with 3 factors, 4 rebounds, and a couple of blocks. Nevertheless, I’d say his finest play of the evening got here on his 1 help. Simons discovered Williams who was slicing to the center of the ground. Williams being a wonderful facilitator with the ball in his fingers, discovered Hugo Gonzalez again on the wing for a large open three.
The 2 blocks that Williams had had been additionally fairly spectacular, exhibiting strides in his defensive recreation. The primary one got here when Corey Kispert was attempting to go coast-to-coast however Williams chased him down the entire manner and blocked his shot. It was known as a goaltending however the Celtics reviewed it and bought it overturned. His second block was additionally nice, assembly his fellow rookie Asa Newell on the summit to ship it again.
I really like when the Maine Celtics guys get to return up and exhibit for the large membership. Amari Williams impressed me essentially the most because the final time we noticed him play. He regarded much more athletic and didn’t look misplaced on the courtroom. Granted it got here in rubbish time, however I ponder if the spectacular play he’s proven in Maine this 12 months will get him a spot taking part in extra minutes in Boston in some unspecified time in the future this season.
