The Atlanta Hawks managed to keep their season alive with a stunning, 119-117, victory over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday evening. Trae Young played a season-high 44 minutes and finished with 38 points in the victory, including the go-ahead basket, an ice-cold triple over Jaylen Brown, with 1.8 seconds remaining in the ball game.
After struggling mightily in the first four games of the series*, John Collins poured in 22 points, and nailed four three-pointers. Jaylen Brown was the high-man for the Celtics, scoring 35 points on a highly-efficient 15-23 shooting clip.
*(Collins averaged 7.5 points-per-game on a ghastly, 32% shooting mark from the field in games 1-4)
Despite the Hawks coming out on top, the Celtics were in the driver’s seat for the majority of the game, and had a 10-point lead going into the 4th quarter, and a 13-point lead with a little over 6 minutes to play. However, thanks to some incredible shot-making from Young and Collins, as well as some great defense, the Hawks finished the game on a 23-8 run – sending the series back to Atlanta for Game 6.
Boston finished with a +22 advantage in points in the paint, and a +16 advantage in fast-break points, but Atlanta was able to claim victory thanks in part to their +21 advantage from beyond the arc. The team’s 19 three-pointer’s made were a series-high, and it was even nice to see the likes of Onyeka Okongwu getting in on the three-point party.
The Hawks will look to keep this energy rolling into Game 6 on Thursday night. They will be boosted by the return of Dejounte Murray, and with their season hanging in the balance yet again.
Tip-off for that one is at 8:30 p.m. eastern from Atlanta’s State Farm Arena. ‘Till then… go Hawks!
