The Boston Celtics made a huge statement when they crushed the Milwaukee Bucks 140 – 99 on their home turf! The best team in the east had no response for the blistering Celtics, could that be a sign of things to come for the Hawks?
NBA Play-Offs
Celtics v Hawks
15 April 2023 – 21:30
Game 1
Celtics 19/100 | Hawks 34/10
The Celtics ended the regular season with an impressive record of 57 wins and 25 losses, one of the best records in the league this season. The only team with a better record in the league were the Milwaukee Bucks, a side that they comfortably brushed aside recently.
They boast a squad full of talent in Jason Tatum, Jaylen Brown and last season’s defensive player of the year, Marcus Smart. The Celtics should not have a tough time making it to the eastern conference final. One of the most complete teams In the league, from defence to attack, they have players who protect the paint and score as well.
Tatum and Brown have a combined 56,7 points per game this season, if they keep this up, they can blow away the Hawks with three games to spare. It will be a highly contested series but the Celtics can cruise through this round if they keep up their momentum.
The Hawks come into this series against the Celtics having won only just one of the previous eight matches against the Boston outfit. That last win was in the first round of the 2016 playoffs. Most people are expecting the Celtics to cruise through to the next round, but not without the Hawks putting up a fight.
With reinforcements coming in last summer, the Hawks look a different team from previous years, star man Trae Young will go into this series full of confidence. The Atlanta franchise recruited star forward Dejounte Murray from the San Antonio Spurs and the 26-year-old has had an amazing season. Averaging 20.5 points per game and 6.1 assists, he will be looking to make a name for himself in the Hawks faithful.
If the Hawks are to defy the odds and beat the favourites, the key to victory will be Young. He has an impressive average of 10.2 assists per game and an astonishing 48 points play-offs career high! They will need to be on their A-game if they are to stand any chance of going through to the next round.
Verdict: Boston Celtics 19/100
This contest all but seems over before it has begun. The Celtics have had a better season. They also boast a better squad and individual quality enough to make it through to the next round at a canter.
