Tatum also had 10 rebound. Robert Williams had 10 points and 14 boards. Jaylen Brown scored 17, Marcus Smart had 13, and Jaylen Brown 17 points.
Tatum said, “We’re just boiling right now.” Tatum scored 16 points in the third period as the Celtics outscored Hawks 42-23.
Atlanta’s Trae Young led the way with 30 points and 10 assists. The Hawks were within reach until the end of the fourth quarter. Clint Capela grabbed 17 rebounds and Bogdan Bogdanovic had 26 points to finish the game.
Atlanta led by 10 points at the half, but lost it quickly in the third quarter.
“I think in the third quarter we got distracted by officiating. “They got in the penalty early, and they had 42-point quarter,” Atlanta coach Nate McMillan stated. That was what made the game different. “We were just unable to recover from that.”
After losing their first two games against the Hawks this season the Celtics trailed 55 to 45 at halftime, and Young allowed Young to score an early basket to begin the third.
Boston responded with a 12-0 run, and they dominated the remainder of the period. In the third, the Celtics made 13 out of 18 shots. Tatum made a pair 3 pointers in the final period, and added a dunk with just three seconds left to make the Celtics lead 87-78.
Tatum was not done. Tatum made a turnaround jumper and then a 3-pointer to bring the Hawks within 89-84. The Hawks called a timeout at 6:32.
Boston didn’t lose its momentum after the break. Young missed the basket, and Grant Williams scored another 3-pointer from the Atlanta bench. The Celtics maintained a large lead throughout the game.
The Hawks held Boston to just 18 points in the fourth period, while Atlanta managed only 17.
Young stated that “We played really well defense up until the third quarter.” “We just need to be solid for the four quarters, and we have to do better offensively down the stretch.”
ALMOST BREAK TIME
The Celtics’ streak under Ime Udoka is the longest. His patience was tested several times in the first months of the season.
Brown stated that the team’s chemistry was fine and that it’s the Celtics overall play which has improved.
“We lost some games that we didn’t deserve to have earlier in the season. Brown stated that now we have the opportunity to play some of those teams again and are looking to win some games. “We had a lot guys making plays right now, and that’s what you need to do in quarter four. We have been winning — defensively, with timely baskets and by sealing out the games.
TIP-INS
Hawks: F John Collins was injured in the foot and will likely be out for at least three more games. Collins sustained a foot injury against San Antonio on Friday and didn’t return. The Hawks announced that an MRI showed the strain and Colins would be re-evaluated after a few more days. With 1:55 remaining, the Hawks challenged Young’s offensive foul.
Celtics: Had a difficult start from the outside and made only 4 of 20 3-pointers during the first half. Derrick White, who was playing his first game since he was traded to Boston by San Antonio on Thursday, scored 10 points and finished the match with 14.
UP NEXT
Hawks host Cleveland Tuesday night
On Tuesday night, the Celtics will be in Philadelphia.
