Celtics (2-0) at Hawks (0-2) Round 1 Game 3 4/21/23

[Phantom255x]

This team does have that "fear of prosperity" feel to them. Every time they feel some hype/momentum, that's when they have letdowns or go "down to earth". And they seemed to experience it yesterday too, up 2-0 in the series and feeling good, they sort of have a letdown on defense and effort.

With that said, they do seem to play their best when their backs are against the wall, and while I'm still very confident the C's win this series anyway, I'd say tomorrow qualifies as that. They do not want to let ATL just get back into this series and tie it up 2-2. I think we see a more spirited and complete effort tomorrow night from the team on all fronts. I'd be stunned if ATL shot like that again this series too 

[Redz]

Not a game they should have lost, but Atlanta did make some very difficult shots under extreme pressure and got some good bounces to keep possessions late.  They deserve a little credit here.  Hate to see the series extended.  Get em in 5 and move on. 

Moving on is the only thing that matters in the end.

[Celtics2021]

By my count, 15 out of 20 NBA champions have lost at least one game in the first round since they went to a best of 7 format.  A close road loss when they were up 2-0 says pretty much nothing about this team’s chances.

[Who]

It feels like there are less sweeps these days. The three point shot has made games more variable. One hot shooting night from a team gives them a great chance at stealing a win even in a series where they are vastly overmatched.

[SHAQATTACK]

Disgusting, we will never win a title with Joe Mazzulla.

sooooooooo re hire IME?

Iiiiiiiiiiiiii meee oooh 
Wee bit late now 

i am just asking? will he answer??

who is better? ime? or joe?

the guy we fired

[Goldstar88]

Not a game they should have lost, but Atlanta did make some very difficult shots under extreme pressure and got some good bounces to keep possessions late.  They deserve a little credit here.  Hate to see the series extended.  Get em in 5 and move on. 

Moving on is the only thing that matters in the end.

They also beat Miami at home in the play-in game to make the playoffs. Hawks have talent and a good coach. I expected them to get a game.

[SHAQATTACK]

Kinda had to know a let down was eminent after the first two dominant games. Typical NBA stuff.. home team battles back with everything they got to save face .

Next game :

Will the REAL championship bound team please stand up .

My picture!    TP.

[PAOBoston]

Thought the defensive effort was pretty sad, especially in the first half. I’m honestly not sure Atlanta can replicate that effort again. I was hoping for the clean sweep to just take care of business and be ready for the 76ers. Hope they come out with intensity in game 4 and win comfortably.

[SparzWizard]

Jayson Tatum stated he will take all the blame for last night's loss.

Tatum, you great but man it's not entirely your fault. Joe Mazzulla is equally blamed for this show too. And Horford was just a no-show tonight. Reemphasize that we need his replacement this offseason.

[Phantom255x]

Btw, Grant Williams looked good last night. In fact he looked like one of our best players on the court

Maybe play him more Mazz?? It’s not just about matchups, but trying to preserve Timelord and Horford. If he can eat up some minutes and let Timelord/Horford not play heavy minutes every game then that’d be great. In the first two games with huge leads he still didn’t get any minutes. Have to be thinking “long term” in the playoffs as well.

Hell, even Griffin for a few minutes wouldn’t have hurt last night when we needed rebounds. Griffin even with his limitations typically hustles and grabs the boards pretty well

[footey]

most  troublesome was that we shot very well especially from 3, and didn’t turn it over much. Quickness of Hawk guards becoming an issue. Also badly outrebounded. Going smaller would address the former, going bigger the latter. Conundrum.

[Phantom255x]

Sounds like Smart won't play tomorrow, according to Smart himself

We should still beat ATL in 5 even if Smart has to miss the next two games. I wouldn't mind just resting him a bit and making sure he's ready for the next round

[SparzWizard]

Sounds like Smart won't play tomorrow, according to Smart himself

We should still beat ATL in 5 even if Smart has to miss the next two games. I wouldn't mind just resting him a bit and making sure he's ready for the next round

Marcus not playing? We in troubleee

[Silas]

Sounds like Smart won't play tomorrow, according to Smart himself

We should still beat ATL in 5 even if Smart has to miss the next two games. I wouldn't mind just resting him a bit and making sure he's ready for the next round

Maybe a PP sighting!

[ozgod]

Celtics were kinda relaxing with their 2-0 series ,   Hawks were in desperation mode = loss for Celtics .   It takes a team made of KG types to destroy all opponents, whoever is in you way run over them attitude . Dray Green does for Warriors , impresses the never let up on anybody mindset.

These Celtics are pretty easy going bunch as a whole .  They are winners,  but not killers.

This is really it...they periodically need to be reminded to grind opponents into the dust. They don't have that chip on their shoulder that someone like KG or PP had. Then again, PP and KG had suffered years and years of disappointment before having a team that could win it all, and they didn't want to waste their opportunity. Our kids have been successful since they've gone into the league so maybe they haven't been tempered by that adversity of finishing in the lottery.