NBA Playoffs: Hawks vs. Celtics Game 2 recap, full highlights
The Atlanta Hawks suffocated the Boston Celtics with great defense and won again in Game 2.
Final. 89. 125. 72. 18
It isn’t always pretty in the NBA.
On Tuesday night, the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics engaged in a game that was ugly offensively and it was a sight for sore eyes. The Hawks began rolling early offensively, while the Celtics struggled to find any shot. Things were so bad for the Celtics, that at the end of the first quarter, they only had seven points on the board.
Isaiah Thomas was struggling all night to find his shot for the Celtics, but he was hardly alone on the Celtics roster. Meanwhile, the Hawks were just as imposing on defense with great rim protection. The Hawks would set a franchise record with 15 blocks in the game.
In the second and third quarter, the Hawks were just as bad offensively as the Celtics were and it allowed Boston to stay in the game and cut the deficit a bit despite Jared Sullinger struggling down low and the team getting no significant contributions from anyone.
The Celtics were at their best on Tuesday, when Evan Turner was subbed in for Sullinger and the offense had a little more flow to it. However, the Celtics were still missing their shots so bad, that Kyle Korver was able to pace the Hawks comfortably ahead with his tremendous three-point shooting.
Al Horford would hit a few more big shots to maintain Atlanta’s large lead and the Hawks would come away with a huge win to take a 2-0 series lead.
Full Highlights
"Not today!" -Amir Johnson (Probably) https://t.co/nnCfFrXeuR
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 20, 2016
Hustle real hard! https://t.co/n8JHMBCH8U
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 20, 2016
Bazemore with the steal & 3! #NBAPlayoffs https://t.co/XczylUBtnz
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 19, 2016
Three Stars
3. Thabo Sefolosha
Sefolosha had a huge night off the bench for the Hawks. Along with 12 points, he added six rebounds and blocked a couple of shots as well. He was part of the great defense the Hawks put on the floor.
2. Kyle Korver
It wasn’t the best offensive night for the Hawks, but Kyle Korver was on fire from deep. He was 5-7 from three and finished with 17 points.
1. Al Horford
Horford was a monster on both ends of the floor. Along with his 17 points, Horford had five huge blocks in a record night for the Hawks.
Betting Odds
The Hawks came into the game as a 6.5-point favorite. They covered the spread with their win.
What’s next?
The two teams will meet in Boston for Game 3 of the playoffs on Friday.
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