Celtics-Hawks: Five Observations

The Hawks allowed the Celtics 71 first-half points and just 36 second-half points. There’s the difference in the ball game. The Celtics shot 58 percent from the field and 59 percent of 3-point range in the first half. Those numbers dropped to 31 percent and nine percent in the second half. The Celtics committed 12 of their 15 turnovers in the second half. The Hawks scored 67 first-half points and 51 second-half points.

2. All Millsap

Millsap had quite a first half, finishing one rebound shy of a double-double in the first 24 minutes. Millsap had 14 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks through the first two quarters. He had quite a second half too. For the game, he finished with a season-high 31 points, 16 rebounds, five blocks, three assists and two steals. Millsap has 30 blocks over the past eight games.

3. Long-range shooters

The Hawks tied a season-high with 17 3-pointers, matching the total they had at the Wizards on March 23. Paul Millsap was 5 of 7 from long range to lead the charge. Jeff Teague and Dennis Schroder had three each, Kent Bazemore and Al Horford had two each and Kyle Korver and Mike Scott had one each. That’s seven different players converting from behind the arc.

4. Bazemore’s quick five

Kent Bazemore had quite a sequence early in the second quarter – scoring five points in 12 seconds. Bazemore hit a 3-pointer and fell back into the Celtics bench. After getting up and back on the court, he stepped in front of a Jonas Jerebko pass and drove to the basket for a layup. The five points cut a six-point Celtics advantage to one, 44-43, with seven minutes left in the first half. Bazemore finished with 14 first-half points.

5. Milestone watch

Teague recorded five first-half assists. The fourth helper moved him ahead of Joe Johnson (2,653) for fifth in franchise history. Teague finished the game with 24 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Teague has scored 20 or more points in four straight and five the past six games.