Hawks (1-3) at Celtics (3-1) Round 1 Game #5 4/25/23

[Phantom255x]

Hawks 96
Celtics 113

Feeling a big game from Tatum tonight to officially close it out. 37 points from him. Jaylen and White have very solid games as well. I think we'll take a double-digit lead into halftime and then Atlanta will pretty much fold after that. There's a lot of pressure on ATL to score without Murray (arguably their most consistent scorer this series) but we'll overwhelm them for stretches.

[Vermont Green]

Last season, Atlanta had 43 wins and 39 losses without Dejounte Murrray but with Kevin Huerter.

This season, with Dejounte Murray but without Kevin Huerter they went 41 and 41.

Dejounte Murray does not move the needle that much for this Hawks team. He has been played out of position on that team and in a role that he is not best suited for namely sharing the ball with a ball-dominant PG in Trae Young. This has reduced his impact and thus his importance.

Those stats reflect the season.  Also, they lost Gallinari from last season, and I am sure some other changes.

That does not reflect what I have seen in the last 4 games.  Murray has been very important.  He has hit big shots.  He is probably the main reason they were not eliminated in 4 games already.  What he did in the regular season doesn't matter the last 4 games.

For 1 game, teams actually have a way of playing well when they lose a player.  Look at MIL in Game 2.  You see it all the time.  I hope the Celtics don't let that happen in this game.

So yes, I believe Murray has been a very important player in these 4 games (really more the last 3).  And yes, ATL could get inspired and come out and be a tough out even without Murray.

[Who]

Basically, if the C's lose this game AT HOME without D. Murray then this team is in trouble in the sense that it's all mental.

There is zero excuses losing this game. I want a 35-point blowout win.

There is no excuse to losing to ATL without Murray.
There is no excuse to losing to ATL with Murray.

Either way, they are a thoroughly mediocre team that should have no hope of beating BOS if BOS plays reasonably. Not even well. Just at a reasonable level.

[86MaxwellSmart]

Stomp them into Dirt tonight and move on.

[mobilija]

Stomp them into Dirt tonight and move on.

Best plan I've heard so far!

[Phantom255x]

Got to say, there's like no buzz for this series whatsoever lol. I asked my friend (big C's fan as well) "excited for the game" and he's like "oh wait that's today?" 

Even national media is barely talking about this series

[SHAQATTACK]

White with triple double .
Al with 22 points

[liam]

GGAAAAAMMMMMMMEEEEEEEE TTTTTTIIIIIIMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEE!!!!!

[celts55]

I think this game will tell us a lot about the Celtics. It’s a game everyone says they should win, 13 point favorites. It would be easy to come out flat. I’m hoping to see a killer instinct and put Atlanta away early.

[ozgod]

Let’s hope they don’t switch off because Murray isn’t playing

[SHAQATTACK]

Refs hate Hawks now 

[radiohead]

Take that open three Al

[SHAQATTACK]

Lit Tate way off

[Phantom255x]

Young may go off tonight lol

But we can keep up!

[celticinorlando]

Need to make it harder on young. He’s going to shoot 40 times tonight