The Boston Celtics aim for a three-game winning streak on Tuesday when they face the visiting Atlanta Hawks in the first NBA Cup group stage game for each team.
All 30 teams were placed into six groups of five within their conference for the NBA Cup, with the Celtics and Hawks in East Group C with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards.
The Hawks are coming off Saturday’s 125-113 home loss to the Bulls, which came one night after Atlanta dropped a 122-121 decision on the road against the Detroit Pistons. The Bulls outscored the Hawks 65-43 in the second half, and 35-15 in the fourth quarter.
“Early in the second half, they went straight to their bench,” Atlanta guard Trae Young said. “The guys they brought in were just running. They weren’t even really running any plays, they were just running fast. It can definitely wear you down. Coach (Billy) Donovan is obviously a really good coach and he’s been in this game for a while. He saw what was going on and they used that to their advantage.
“We all know when a team (plays back-to-back nights), you want to get up and down and make them tired. … We’ve played three back-to-backs in the first two-and-a-half weeks. Nobody’s gonna feel bad for us. We have to fight through it.”
Atlanta’s Clint Capela had 20 points with nine rebounds, while Jalen Johnson also had 20 points. The Hawks have lost seven of their last nine games after a 2-0 start.
“We gave too many fast-break points to them and they got confident,” Capela said. “Once a team gets confident like that it makes your job harder. … I think we got a little static on offense not knowing what to do. There were a lot of guys going one-on-one without really creating something.”
Boston overcame a 17-point first-half deficit to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 113-107 on the road Sunday. Jayson Tatum had 31 points, 12 rebounds and six assists as the Celtics started the second half on a 12-0 run and held the Bucks to 38 points in the final two quarters.
“I think we just picked up the intensity,” Boston’s Jrue Holiday said. “Knowing that they came out and hit shots (early), not getting too ahead of ourselves or two down on ourselves. Getting back to Celtics basketball.”
Boston also received a 14-point performance from Jaylen Brown, who returned after missing four games with a hip flexor strain. He was 4 of 13 from the field in 37 minutes and had five rebounds and four assists.
“Felt better physically,” Brown said. “Not all the way there yet, but I was able to throw my weight around and explode a little bit better. So I felt better today, but it’s a long journey, a long season. Taking care of your body is important.
“They shot the ball well and we still figured out a way to win, so I’m glad this was my return game.”
