Boston Celtics prevailed over Atlanta Hawks, securing their place within the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals, because of the spectacular 62-point contribution of star gamers Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, who demonstrated exceptional expertise and finesse.
The Celtics displayed their defensive prowess within the latter phases of the sport, holding off the Hawks’ late rally to seal an exhilarating 128-120 victory.
The Celtics, making an attempt to get again to the NBA Finals after falling to the Golden State Warriors final season, received the best-of-seven collection 4-2 to line up a convention semi-final showdown with a Philadelphia 76ers staff led by Joel Embiid and James Harden.
Trae Young, the hero of the Hawks’ 119-117 come-from-behind victory in sport 5 that prolonged the collection on Tuesday, scored 30 factors with 10 assists.
But Young ran out of fuel within the second half, scoring simply 5 factors after the break and ending the sport nine-for-28 from the sphere.
Brown scored 32 factors and Tatum had 30 for the Celtics, who used an 11-0 run within the fourth quarter to lastly take management of a sport that featured 22 lead adjustments and was tied 15 instances.
“I think in that fourth quarter, four minutes left, we made winning plays,” Tatum instructed broadcaster TNT. “We talked about it before the game – do whatever it takes.”
The lead modified arms seven instances within the fourth quarter alone. Former Hawk Al Horford put the Celtics up for good with a three-pointer with 3:35 remaining.
Tatum adopted with one other three-pointer, Brown produced a block and Tatum slammed house a Horford miss to cap the 11-0 run that had the Celtics up by eight with 2:07 to play.
Atlanta would not get the deficit beneath 5 factors the remainder of the best way.
Marcus Smart scored 22 factors, Malcolm Brogdon added 17 off the bench and Horford chipped in 10 for the Celtics.
“I thought Smart was tremendous, especially late in the fourth quarter,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla mentioned. “He got us organized and then he was the triggerman. They were blitzing; he made the right plays.”
Young, whose 38 factors in sport 5 included a game-winning three-pointer, mentioned he could not shake Smart within the second half.
“Marcus was being way more aggressive,” Young mentioned. “In the second half, he was more just connected to me. Then, they picked up the physicality. It was tough.”
Hawks coach Quin Snyder mentioned the Celtics had been an excessive amount of ultimately.
“Tatum and Brown were a handful, which we expect,” Snyder mentioned. “We blitzed their pick and roll, hit them on the dribble, hit them on the pass and when we didn’t, they could make plays. When we did, you’re susceptible to the three.”
The Celtics made 18 of their 42 three-point makes an attempt, Brown draining six from past the arc and each Boston starter making at the very least one trey.
Even so, Snyder mentioned: “We were right there. It’s a tough game.”
“You’ve just got to tip your cap sometimes and give credit where it’s due,” Young added.
The second-seeded Celtics, the best seeds left within the East after the Miami Heat’s upset of the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks, host the third-seeded 76ers in sport one on Monday.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
