4 takeaways as Celtics lose to Hawks in stunning NBA Cup upset

The Celtics blew a 15-point second half lead and fell to a shorthanded Hawks 117-116 on Tuesday night time to win their opening matchup of pool play in Group C of the Emirates NBA Cup. The Celtics had been 16.5 level favorites coming into the sport.

Boston shook off a sluggish begin to seemingly take management of the sport within the second quarter, constructing a double-digit lead at half behind 20 factors from Jaylen Brown and 14 factors from Derrick White. The Hawks performed with out 4 rotation gamers for the matchup together with All-Star guard Trae Younger, main them to begin two-way guard Keaton Wallace and play at an obstacle all night time lengthy.

The Celtics led by as many as 15 factors within the second half however the Hawks erased that deficit behind dominating within the paint with 68-32 edge down low over Boston together with 18 second likelihood factors. Onyeka Okongwu hit a go-ahead outback within the last minute whereas Jaylen Brown (team-high 37 factors) missed a possible game-winner as time expired. Derrick White additionally added 31 factors within the setback for the hosts whereas Dyson Daniels led 5 totally different Hawks in double figures with 28 factors.

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Boston had their two-game successful streak snapped and fell to 9-3 on the 12 months. Boston’s subsequent NBA Cup sport will come towards the Cleveland Cavaliers subsequent Tuesday night time at TD Backyard.

The Celtics may have a fast turnaround on Wednesday night time, going through off with the Brooklyn Nets for the second time this month at Barclays Middle.

Listed below are 4 takeaways on the Celtics on Tuesday night time:

Jaylen Brown finds his offensive groove after hip points: The All-Star struggled along with his offensive rhythm in his return following a four-game absence in Milwaukee, going simply 4-of-13 from the sector in 37 minutes. Brown appeared much more snug towards a lackluster Hawks protection. He erupted for 16 first quarter factors and led all scorers with 20 at halftime whereas going 7-of-12 from the sector. The small ahead did most of his injury from contained in the arc early however did knock down a pair of key 3s within the fourth quarter. Brown additionally feasted within the paint towards Atlanta, attending to the free throw line 10 occasions and going 11-of-15 from contained in the arc. He did battle along with his free throw capturing (6-of-10) late within the fourth quarter.

A shock rotation tweak by Joe Mazzulla: Historically, the Celtics have cut up up relaxation time for his or her two stars. Most of this 12 months, Tatum has performed the complete first quarter whereas Brown has taken a relaxation within the last couple of minutes of the body. Nevertheless, with Brown in such an awesome first quarter rhythm on Tuesday night time, Mazzulla elected to roll with each of his stars for the complete first quarter, the primary time that’s occurred through the common season of their careers in keeping with NBC stats guru Dick Lipe. The transfer labored out properly as Boston’s reserves held their very own beside Derrick White and Jrue Vacation to begin the second quarter. It will likely be intriguing to see whether or not this was an anomaly or an choice that Mazzulla may flip to extra usually to assist his stars get into an early sport rhythm.

Celtics cope with uncommon bout of sloppiness that bites them: The Celtics watched their 15-point second half lead get erased halfway by way of the fourth quarter and will solely blame themselves for his or her struggles. The staff piled up a season-high 20 turnovers, a really uncharacteristic quantity given their previous-high on the 12 months was 15. Most of these miscues got here method of careless passes and Boston’s stars had been entrance and heart for these woes, piling up 9 turnovers mixed. The Hawks scored 19 factors off these Boston turnovers, serving to to maintain them within the sport all night time regardless of a tough 3-point capturing night time.

The Hawks could have gained the Dejounte Murray commerce already: It’s solely been ten video games and an harm to Murray with the Pelicans could affect my verdict right here considerably however it’s arduous to not like what Atlanta bought within the deal for Murray. Dyson Daniels appears to be like like a keeper already for his defensive potential at age 21 regardless of a dependable 3-point stroke. Throw up two extra first spherical picks and a serviceable backup in Larry Nance Jr. and it’s an awesome return for breaking apart a backcourt duo in Murray and Trae Younger that wasn’t going anyplace anytime quickly.