The Boston Celtics continue to roll up the East from behind. The eighth win in a row was against the Atlanta Hawks, with Jayson Tatum once again dominating. Minnesota remains close in the west in the fight for direct playoff spots thanks to Anthony Edwards.
Boston Celtics (33-25) – Atlanta Hawks (26-30) 105:95 (BOXSCORE)
- What a furious second half by the Boston Celtics and what a performance by Jayson Tatum, who after a few weaker games with 38 points (13/27 FG, 4/10 trebles) and 10 rebounds led the hosts’ comeback after a weak first half . The forward scored 16 points in the third quarter alone, with the 23-year-old looking extremely determined, as this powerful foul drive against Onyeka Okongwu showed.
- Boston won the third leg 42-23, turning a 15-point deficit into a double-digit lead of their own. Boston’s defense had already kept the team in the game to some extent, after the change the throws were made from a distance, which smacked the ring in the first half. Previously, it was longtime newcomer Derrick White (14, 4/13, 5 assists) who hit the only triples for Boston.
- After the break, the Hawks only scored 40 points, and Trae Young (30, 9/26 FG, 8/8 FT, 10 assists) couldn’t turn things around in the fourth quarter. The playmaker lacked the best play partner in John Collins (strained foot), instead only De’Andre Hunter (10, 4/15) and the extremely strong sixth man Bogdan Bogdanovic (26, 9/20) scored in double figures.
- In the case of Boston, this was distributed somewhat more evenly. Jaylen Brown (17, 6/16, 8 rebounds) didn’t have a good evening, but Robert Williams (10, 14 rebounds) and Marcus Smart (13, 7 assists) convinced with strong individual defense. Daniel Theis was in the arena again, but was unable to play due to a lack of documents after his trade from Houston. For the Celtics it was the eighth win in a row, temporarily the Celts are now pushing past the Raptors in sixth place in the Estern Conference.
Indiana Pacers (19-39) – Minnesota Timberwolves (30-27) 120:129 (BOXSCORE)
- Obligation fulfilled. The Wolves stay on the heels of the Nuggets in the fight for the last playoff spot in the West and have Anthony Edwards to thank for feeling it right this Super Bowl afternoon. With 37 points (13/25 FG, plus 4 steals), the top pick of 2020 played his seventh game with at least 30 points this season.
- In a game with little defense, the guard could really let off steam. Edwards hit seven threes (five in the third quarter) and also delivered highlight dunks like this one. But such an idea was also necessary because Karl-Anthony Towns was in foul problems for almost the entire game and ultimately only played 22 minutes on the field. With 15 points (5/12) and 13 rebounds it was enough for the usual double-double.
- Otherwise, Towns was decently represented by Naz Reid (13), as the Pacers hardly put up any resistance at their own basket. In attack, on the other hand, almost everything went through new signing Tyrese Haliburton (22, 6/12 threes, 16 assists), and the Pacers stayed in the game with numerous offensive rebounds (22 pieces). At the beginning of the third quarter, Wolves were still 18 points ahead, but twelve minutes later the lead was almost gone.
- Edwards and D’Angelo Russell (23, 8/14) ultimately managed to win quite confidently. The guests hit 53 percent from a distance, Indiana just 29. This was mainly due to Buddy Hield (13, 1/13 3FG), who shot ticket after ticket. Lance Stephenson had 21 points, forward Oshae Brissett had 22 points and 13 rebounds.
