Recapping and handing out player grades for the Atlanta Hawks’ match up with the Boston Celtics on Friday night.
The Atlanta Hawks got out to a rocket start Friday night, getting out to an 18-point 1st quarter lead, seeming like they couldn’t miss a shot.
Turnovers and fouls a plenty let the Boston Celtics get back into it, but the Hawks were still able to carry a slim 55-53 lead into the half. The C’s shot 17 free throws in the first half, not too far under their 21.7 per game average on the season.
The Hawks had trouble holding onto the ball, with good defense and bad passes leading to a lot of fast break looks for Boston.
John Collins had a great 1st half, scoring 14 on 5 of 8 shooting, also providing 7 rebounds and a few highlight dunks.
GOOD EVENING AND LET US ALL SIT DOWN TO WATCH SOME @ATLHawks BASKETBALL #TrueToAtlanta pic.twitter.com/Df0eSqUcW0
— Bally Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnBally) January 4, 2020
It took less than a minute into the 2nd half for the Celtics to take the lead, which they slowly grew.
Before things got out of hand however, Trae Young caught fire, hitting a few threes and a handful of floaters.
Atlanta entered the 4th down 82-80.
It wasn’t all good however, as just a few minutes into the third, John Collins took a fall to the tailbone, and had to go back to the locker room to be checked out. Later, he was officially ruled out with a back contusion.
John Collins won't return. Hawks are saying it's a back contusion.
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) January 4, 2020
In the 4th, the C’s looked like they were ready to finally pull away, growing their lead to a game-high of 8, before a mini Hawks run got them right back in it.
Trae Young laid it in just as the clock hit 2:00 in the 4th to pull within two. Jaylen Brown missed two free throws, then sent Alex Len to the line with a chance to tie.
He made 1 of 2, setting the Hawks up for a win or tie with seconds left.
With just seconds left remaining, Young dribbled up the floor, attempting a step back for the lead. It was blocked by Daniel Thesis, and the game ended.
It was a heck of a fight by the now 7-28 Atlanta Hawks, especially on the road against a tough Boston squad. Final score was 109-106.
For more on the game, we’ll be handing out some player grades on the next slides: