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Three Takeaways: Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks

By Ryan Eggers

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 19: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics and Vince Carter #15 of the Atlanta Hawks exchange handshakes at the beginning of the game on January 19, 2019 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 19: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics and Vince Carter #15 of the Atlanta Hawks exchange handshakes at the beginning of the game on January 19, 2019 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 19: Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics defends against Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks on January 19, 2019 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 19: Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics defends against Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks on January 19, 2019 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Defending the pass

The Boston Celtics are fourth in the NBA in assists given up, allowing only 22.7 per game on the year. They allowed 28 against the Hawks last night, including 19 in the first half.

Blame it on the rest, blame it on the jet lag – the Celtics made the Hawks offense look like a well-oiled machine last night, at least in the first half. Anytime early in the game when Boston looked like it could be on a run, a poor defensive set would end in an easy momentum-stopping bucket for Atlanta.

While the Hawks only made 12 threes on the night, they often came at the right time. They took 41 overall, and many were uncontested; the evening could’ve been a lot uglier for the Celtics if some of those threes eeked in.

This has been part of a disturbing trend in 2019, a trend that saw the team drop three straight right before their current winning streak. The Celtics have to remain engaged on both ends of the floor for 48 minutes, even against teams like Atlanta. While they escaped unharmed last night, their lack of urgency in stopping passing lanes and staying sharp on defense as a whole will come back to bite them in May.

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