The Boston Celtics are on a mission to get back to the NBA Finals for a second consecutive year. They fell just short last year, losing to the Golden State Warriors in six games. This year, they want to return and get over the hump.
The first hurdle on their path to a championship is the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks upset the Miami Heat in the first game of the NBA Play-In Tournament in the Eastern Conference, earning the No. 7 seed. All of the positive momenta that they built from winning that game on the road have been erased by the Celtics.
Boston has played two very strong games out of the gate, winning both Game 1 and 2 by 13 points apiece. Jayson Tatum has been excellent, recording a double-double in each game, going for 25 points, 11 rebounds and two assists in Game 1 and following that up with 29 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in Game 2.
While he has been leading the way and had the game-sealing blocked shot on Trae Young in Game 2, he made sure to praise the performance of his teammates. Derrick White is who Tatum believes deserved the spotlight following Game 2.
“We’re so much more of a dynamic team when D-White is asserting himself and being aggressive and not being passive,” Tatum said. These last two games (White) being aggressive, making the right play, attacking the rim and not necessarily waiting makes us that much more of a better team.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks & Boston Celtics Updates
White has been magnificent. He is second on the team, averaging 25 points per game, to go along with 6.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists. White is making the most of the advantageous positions he is being put in by playing off of Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
“(Tatum and Brown) get a lot of attention. It just opens up the court for myself,” White said. “When the opportunity is there I just have to attack and do what I do.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks & Boston Celtics Updates
White, along with Marcus Smart, has been an integral part of slowing down Young as well. Young has struggled once again with his efficiency, shooting a combined 14-of-40 overall and 3-of-13 from 3-point range. He has also struggled with turnovers, as he has been credited with 11 in two games.
“I can be better,” Young said. “I didn’t shoot the ball really well. I had some turnovers where I was just driving and it just left my hands. But I’m going to be better at home.”
The Hawks certainly hope so. If they want to have any chance of getting back into this series, they will need Young to play at a high level. Dejounte Murray has certainly held up his end of the bargain, scoring 26.5 points with 7.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists in the two games.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks & Boston Celtics Updates
But, the Celtics have too much firepower for only one player to carry the load. Young and Murray both need to be playing at a high level to compete with Boston and even then, that may not be enough. If White continues playing at the level that he currently is, there may not be a team in the NBA, let alone the Eastern Conference, capable of slowing them down.
Want the latest in NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here.
