BOSTON – Points in the paint: 68 for Atlanta, 36 for Boston.
Second chance points: Atlanta 16, Boston 9.
Fast break Points: Atlanta 16, Boston 10.
Being outperformed in one or two of those categories often spells defeat.
But to be beaten in all three?
It’s a wrap.
Even though the Hawks rallied in the fourth quarter for a 109-101 win over Boston, the Celtics’ demise was being played out well before their late-game collapse.
Boston Celtics
“They wanted it more than we did,” said Jae Crowder.
For a team that prides itself on being resilient and able to withstand the roller coaster of emotions that come about in any NBA season, Friday’s loss was a significant step backwards.
And while there is clearly no easy fix, the Celtics have little choice – for now at least – other than to look from within in order to get back on track.
Danny Ainge, Boston’s president of basketball operations, recently said he wouldn’t mind adding another high-impact scorer to the roster.
But until then, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens will do what he can to get his current group of players in a better flow at both ends of the floor that will give them a better chance at success.
“It’s our only option, right?” Stevens said. “I focus on the 15 guys in the room. I don’t focus on all the other stuff going on.”
Here are the Stars, Studs and Duds from Friday night’s game.
STARS
Paul Millsap
He was indeed the difference-maker down the stretch for Atlanta, making one clutch basket after another. He finished with 20 points (18 coming in the second half), eight rebounds and four assists.
Dennis Schroder
As important as Millsap was in the game’s final moments, it was Schroder whose dribble penetration and defense that gave Boston problems most of the game. He finished with a team-high 22 points off the bench to go with five assists and four steals.
Isaiah Thomas
Once again Thomas delivered a big performance for Boston, only to see his efforts still not enough for a Celtics win. He led Boston with 29 points on an efficient 6-for-12 shooting night. He lived at the free throw line, converting 14 of his 15 attempts. He also had six assists and two steals.
STUDS
Jae Crowder
Crowder has never had a game in the NBA where he scored like he did on Friday, tallying a career-high 24 points on 8-for-13 shooting while grabbing 10 rebounds for his second, double-double this season.
Al Horford
There were others who were more impactful for the Hawks, but that shouldn’t diminish from what was a solid performance by Horford. He had his sixth double-double this season, scoring 21 points on 10-for-19 shooting to go with 10 rebounds, two assists and three blocked shots.
DUDS
Avery Bradley
This was the second straight game where Bradley’s impact was not felt at either end of the floor. He had trouble keeping Atlanta’s guards from getting to the spots on the floor they wanted to, and he missed six of his eight shot attempts to finish with just four points.
Kelly Olynyk
He had eight points on 3-for-5 shooting, but this was definitely not a good game for the 7-footer. He played 15 minutes but still managed to turn the ball over four times. None loomed as large as the one in the fourth quarter when the Hawks took a shot that was going out of bounds. Rather than letting it go out of bounds, he tried to keep it in play and grabbed it with one foot out of bounds. The turnover was quickly converted into a 3-pointer and the Celtics were never the same afterwards.
Celtics Turnovers
Olynyk’s fourth quarter gaffe was bad, but he was by no means the only player turning the ball over on Friday. In fact, Boston wound up turning it over a season-high 21 times which accounted for 18 points for the Hawks.