Call it what you want – the disappointment bowl, the clash-of-the-underachievers, the mediocrity matchup – tonight’s game featured two teams that haven’t fulfilled preseason expectations. Recently, they’ve each flipped their fortunes, with Boston winning seven of their last ten and Atlanta entering the game on a five-game win streak.
And tonight, the Hawks played dominating basketball whenever the Celtics got close, winning the game 108-92 and extending their winning streak.
The opening five minutes had more intensity than a typical late-January game. De’Andre Hunter – Atlanta’s defensive ace – opened the game with a steal and proceeded to draw a foul on Jayson Tatum.