Atlanta Hawks (21-19) at Boston Celtics (29-12) Game #42 1/18/25

We now have reached the midway level of the Celtics season as they face the 21-19 Atlanta Hawks tonight. It’s the third time this season that these groups will play, with Boston successful 123-93 on November 4th and shedding 117-116 on November twelfth in an NBA Cup sport. All time, the Celtics are 245-150 in opposition to the Hawks.

The Hawks have been a enjoyable crew to observe this season. Trae Younger is main the NBA in complete assists and assists per sport this season and Jalen Johnson has taken his sport to a fringe All-Star stage. In the meantime, De’Andre Hunter is a Sixth Man of the Yr candidate and Dyson Daniels has additionally performed very properly this season averaging 13.0 factors, 5.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and a league main 3.1 steals per sport this season.

They went to the semi-finals of the NBA Cup and performed the Bucks shut and misplaced however since that time they’re 7-6 with blowout losses to the Nuggets, Lakers and Clippers. Since shedding within the NBA Cup, Atlanta is eleventh in offense and twenty second in protection. This can be a crew that’s floating in common proper now however they’re higher than the Pelicans and Raptors, who each performed the Celtics robust, Toronto even beat Boston.

The Hawks beat the Bulls on Wednesday 110-94 behind a profession excessive 27 factors from Keaton Wallace. Atlanta didn’t have Younger, Hunter, Johnson or first general decide Zaccharie Risacher in that sport, so it was a formidable win for a crew that needs to be properly rested.

That is additionally the second leg of a back-to-back for the Celtics, who crushed the Magic 121-94 final evening. Jayson Tatum scored 30 factors, Kristaps Porzingis scored 23 factors and Jaylen Brown scored 20 factors within the win. It was the perfect the Celtics have seemed just lately as a result of they haven’t performed properly in current weeks.

Damage Information

For the Hawks, DeAndre Hunter and Trae Younger are possible with Jalen Johnson questionable. In the meantime Kobe Bufkin, Larry Nance Jr. and Cody Zeller all stay out.

For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis are all questionable. Count on Horford to be out with this being the 2nd evening of a back-to-back. Porzingis mentioned final evening that he believes he has an opportunity to play.

Tatum landed humorous on his shoulder final evening however remained within the sport.

Key Matchups

Trae Younger vs. Derrick White

As talked about, Younger is main the NBA in assists per sport and complete assists for the season. He has additionally performed properly in opposition to the Celtics throughout his profession, averaging 24.4 factors, 7.6 assists and three.2 rebounds per sport in 18 profession common season video games in opposition to Boston. Throughout the 2023 first spherical collection these groups performed, Younger averaged 29.2 factors and 10.2 assists per sport in that collection. He sometimes performs properly in opposition to the Celtics. It should possible be Derrick White who’s tasked with guarding Younger. White has struggled offensively as of late, capturing 32% from three for the reason that begin of December. He can’t let that have an effect on his protection as a result of Younger has confirmed he can damage the Celtics.

DeAndre Hunter vs. Payton Pritchard

This isn’t a typical matchup of men who shall be guarding one another however a battle of two of the highest sixth males within the league. Everyone knows Pritchard’s story, he’s having a profession yr averaging a profession excessive 14.5 factors per sport whereas capturing 47% from the sphere and a profession excessive 41.5% from three. In the meantime, Hunter has been a starter his complete profession, solely coming off of the bench in six video games whereas beginning 200 over the primary 4 seasons of his profession. Final season, he got here off of the bench in 20 video games and this yr he has come off of the bench in 25 video games. Averaging a profession excessive 19.4 factors a sport whereas capturing a profession excessive 43% from three, Hunter has develop into excellent and really comfy coming off of the bench.

Jayson Tatum vs. Dyson Daniels

This doesn’t seem to be a typical matchup however Daniels has been the first matchup in opposition to Tatum for the Hawks this season, ought to Tatum play. In line with NBA Superior Stats Participant Monitoring evaluation, Daniels guarded Tatum for 9:31 of sport motion on November twelfth and 6:16 on November 4th. When guarded by Daniels this season, Tatum has scored 16 factors and dished out 9 assists whereas capturing 43% from the sphere. For his profession Tatum has averaged 24.9 factors, 7.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists per sport in opposition to the Hawks.

Keys to the Recreation

Defending the ball: The Hawks had 16 steals the final time these two groups performed, that led to twenty Celtics turnovers. Atlanta is second within the NBA in steals per sport this season at 10.3 per sport and Dyson Daniels leads the league in steals per sport at 3.1. The Hawks get quite a lot of steals however aside from that their protection has not been good this season. If the Celtics can keep away from turnovers, they need to be in a great place. The primary time these two groups performed the Celtics solely had 12 turnovers and received by 30 so defending the ball is a key a part of the sport.

The three level line: After all everyone knows that the Celtics lead the NBA in three pointers tried and made per sport this season at 48.2 makes an attempt per sport and 17.6 makes per sport. Nevertheless, what you may not know is the Hawks have been actually dangerous at guarding the three level line this season. Giving up a league worst 15.2 three pointers made per sport at a league worst 38.1%. Over the past 15 video games, the Celtics are solely making 15.1 threes per sport so it is going to be vital that they’re able to make their open appears tonight.

Depth on each side of the court docket: The Celtics are a greater crew than the Hawks are, even with Al Horford possible out tonight due to the second leg of a again to again. A variety of the Celtics struggles just lately have been as a result of their effort has lacked on protection throughout video games. The Hawks haven’t performed since Wednesday and quite a lot of their key gamers did not play in that sport so they are going to be rested and they’re taking part in the defending champs so that they’ll be able to play tonight. In the meantime, the Celtics are taking part in the 2nd leg of a again to again. Will probably be crucial that the Celtics play with good effort tonight, on each side of the court docket.

Tip off is at 7 pm, extra like 7:10, on NBC Sports activities Boston, FanDuel Sports activities Community Southeast and NBA League Cross. Radio is on 98.5 The Sports activities Hub and WZGC.