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Boston Celtics: 3 keys to a victory as the C’s host Atlanta

ByAustin DeCouta|
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 13: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against Bogdan Bogdanovic #13 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half of a game at TD Garden on February 13, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 13: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against Bogdan Bogdanovic #13 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half of a game at TD Garden on February 13, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
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After suffering just their second loss of February on Sunday night, the Boston Celtics will look to get back on track as they host the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday to mark their first outing of March.

Possessing the best record in the NBA since the start of January (19-8), Boston will look to continue their strong second half.

One of the most glaring issues in the loss at Indiana was the absence of Al Horford.

With Sunday serving as the second half of a back-to-back, Horford’s minutes were expected to be limited. However, after the fifteen-year vet logged 37 minutes in Detroit, Ime Udoka opted to give the big man the entirety of the contest off.

With Horford expected to rejoin the lineup on Tuesday, Grant Williams will likely slide back into his typically seventh man role.

In the absence of Horford, it was Daniel Theis who saw an increase in minutes off the bench. The German-born big produced five points, five boards, and one block in fifteen minutes of run.

On the other hand, Atlanta is coming off a home victory Saturday night against Toronto, by a score of 127-100. Trae Young had the hot hand, dropping 41 points and 11 dimes.

It seems when Atlanta plays well, Young is efficient from the floor. During Saturday’s win, he was 17-24 from the field but just 1-4 from deep. In his last two games, Young is just 1-9 from beyond the arc.

For the Boston Celtics, it’s important to get back to their defensive identity as they battle Atlanta. The 128 points posted by Indiana were the most allowed by the shamrocks since December 3rd against Utah (137 points).

Heading into Tuesday night, the C’s have an empty injury report. Atlanta will likely be without stud forward, John Collins, once again as he continues to deal with a foot injury that has kept him out since February 11th. The Hawks will also be without Lou Williams, who has been ruled out with a hip injury.

At the time of this writing, the Celtics are -6 on the spread and -260 on the money line.

With that being said, let’s take a look at three keys to the game, as Boston looks to get back on track:

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