Boston's Scoring Drop-Off Against Atlanta Was More Than Just Bad Luck

Hawks' Unlikely Offensive Explosion

Look, the Celtics dropping two straight to the Hawks in Atlanta wasn't just a fluke. Boston had a 30-point lead in the first game, up 68-38, and still found a way to lose 120-118 in overtime. That's not just blowing a lead; that's a complete collapse in offensive execution down the stretch. They shot 44.4% from the field in the fourth quarter and overtime, a significant dip from their scorching first half.

But let's give some credit where it's due: the Hawks just kept pouring it on. Dejounte Murray went absolutely nuclear, dropping 44 points on 17-for-26 shooting, including 6-for-9 from deep, in that first comeback win. That's a 65.4% effective field goal percentage, a masterclass in efficient volume scoring. His usage rate was through the roof, and he delivered.

Thing is, Atlanta wasn't just relying on one guy. In the second game, a 123-122 win for the Hawks, Bogdan Bogdanovic had 22 points off the bench, hitting 6-of-9 threes. That kind of bench scoring, especially from beyond the arc, is a killer. The Hawks, as a team, shot 46.2% from three in that game, far above their season average of 36.4%.

Celtics' Cold Spells and Shot Selection

Here's the problem for Boston: they looked complacent. After putting up 68 points in the first half of the first game, they managed just 50 in the second half and overtime. That's a huge drop-off in scoring pace. Their shot selection got lazy. Jayson Tatum, despite putting up 37 points in the first loss, shot just 13-for-34. That's a 38.2% clip, which is simply not efficient enough for your primary scorer in a tight game, especially when you consider how many of those were contested mid-range jumpers.

The second game saw similar issues. Jaylen Brown had 24 points, but he was 9-for-20 from the field. And what about the free throws? Boston, a good free-throw shooting team, missed critical ones. In the first game, they shot 67.9% from the line (19-for-28). You leave that many points on the board, especially against a team that finds its rhythm, and you're asking for trouble.

This isn't just about missing shots; it's about the quality of the looks. When a team gets comfortable with a big lead, they often settle for harder shots, less ball movement, fewer open looks. The Celtics fell into that trap, and the Hawks, playing with nothing to lose, capitalized by hitting high-percentage shots and getting to the rim.

I think these two losses are a wake-up call. The Celtics have been so dominant, especially at home, that they might have forgotten what it feels like to truly grind out offensive possessions when the other team is locked in. Their offensive rating, which is usually elite, tanked in those crucial fourth quarters.

Boston will likely cruise through the rest of the regular season, but if they get into the playoffs and revert to these cold spells and hero-ball shot selection, they'll be vulnerable. They need to maintain that offensive discipline for all 48 minutes, no matter the opponent or the lead.

My bold prediction: The Celtics will win the Eastern Conference, but they'll drop at least two games at home in the playoffs due to similar offensive lapses against a hot-shooting opponent.