Celtics can’t rebound, fall to Hawks 116-123

For the 2nd straight night, the Celtics failed to come up big on National TV.

Boston came out flat again, allowing the Hawks to build up a 16 point lead at the half that they would push up to 20 at one point in the 3rd quarter. The Celtics made a couple of runs in the 2nd half to cut it to single digits late in the game. However, they rant out of gas and time in the end.

Marcus Smart really put his stamp on this game. He hit 5 three pointers, made key steals, and never gave up on the game. If more of his teammates shared his effort all night they might have won this one going away.

Sadly the Celtics were plagued (once again) by lack of rebounding, allowing the Hawks repeated second chance points. It didn’t help that Avery Bradley and Kelly Olynyk combined to shoot 1 for 13 from three either.

Predictably Isaiah Thomas had 35 points and Crowder added 24 of his own. Horford, however, came up short in his old stomping grounds with just 4 points.

The winner of the Random Rotation Player That Goes Off On The Celtics award went to Taurean Prince who dropped in 20 points. Millsap added 26 and Hardaway Jr. added 23.