If you just blinked, you might have missed a historic scoring run. Honestly, tonight was one of those nights where the rim looked like the size of the Atlantic Ocean for the guys in green. If you're looking for what is the score of the celtics basketball game, the Boston Celtics just absolutely dismantled the Atlanta Hawks with a final score of 132-106.
It wasn't even as close as that 26-point margin suggests.
The Second Quarter Explosion
The game was actually somewhat competitive for about twelve minutes. Then the second quarter happened. Boston dropped 52 points in a single frame. Think about that for a second. That is more than some teams score in an entire half during a gritty playoff game.
Sam Hauser was the catalyst, looking like a literal flamethrower out there. He hit 10 three-pointers on the night, most of them during that insane second-quarter stretch where the Celtics seemingly couldn't miss if they tried. They went 11-of-15 from deep in that period alone. By the time the halftime buzzer sounded, it was an 82-51 "laugher," as the broadcast crew put it.
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Jaylen Brown's Masterclass
While Hauser was the spark, Jaylen Brown was the engine. He finished with 41 points on 14-of-30 shooting. He was aggressive from the jump, getting to the line 12 times and making 11 of them. With Jayson Tatum not being the primary focal point tonight, Brown took the keys and drove the offense right through the heart of the Atlanta defense.
The box score shows a level of efficiency that should scare the rest of the Eastern Conference:
- Jaylen Brown: 41 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST
- Sam Hauser: 30 PTS (10/21 from 3PT)
- Neemias Queta: 14 PTS, 7 REB
- Derrick White: 7 PTS, 12 AST (Total floor general mode)
Why the Hawks Couldn't Keep Up
Atlanta had no answer for the ball movement. Boston finished with 27 assists, and it felt like the ball never touched the floor. The Hawks, meanwhile, struggled to find any rhythm. CJ McCollum had a rough night, shooting just 4-of-14 from the field.
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It sorta felt like Atlanta was playing checkers while Boston was playing some high-speed version of chess. The Celtics' depth was on full display too. Even with Payton Pritchard sidelined due to an ankle injury, the bench didn't skip a beat. Neemias Queta stepped into the starting lineup and provided a physical presence that Atlanta's bigs just couldn't handle.
Looking at the Numbers
When you analyze what is the score of the celtics basketball game, you have to look at the "Four Factors." Boston shot 50.5% from the field and 42.3% from three. When a team shoots that well on 52 attempts from behind the arc, you're basically toast.
The rebounding battle was also a slaughter. Boston outrebounded Atlanta 62 to 54. They dominated the glass, which limited the Hawks to one-and-done possessions for most of the middle two quarters.
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Key Game Statistics
- Final Score: Boston 132, Atlanta 106
- Field Goal %: BOS 50.5% | ATL 37.3%
- Three-Pointers: BOS 22 | ATL 14
- Free Throws: BOS 18/22 (81.8%)
What This Means for the Standings
With this win, Boston moves to 26-15 on the season. They are currently sitting in the second spot in the East, trailing only the Detroit Pistons, who have been surprisingly dominant this year. This road win is huge for momentum, especially coming off a tight victory against Miami just a couple of nights ago.
The Celtics' defense, led by Derrick White’s three steals and a block, kept Atlanta under 30 points in each of the first three quarters. It was only in the fourth, when the "human victory cigars" like Ron Harper Jr. and Jordan Walsh came in, that Atlanta managed to put up 32 points to make the score look a tiny bit more respectable.
Final Insights and Next Steps
The Celtics are clicking. If they keep shooting over 40% from deep as a team, they are essentially unbeatable. This game proved that even when the stars aren't all aligned, the system creates open looks for guys like Hauser and Baylor Scheierman (who notched 9 points and 7 rebounds in a solid start).
What to do next:
- Watch the highlights: Specifically, find the Sam Hauser second-quarter reel. It’s pure basketball art.
- Monitor the injury report: Keep an eye on Payton Pritchard’s ankle. They’ll need his spark plug energy as they head into the next stretch.
- Check the schedule: The Celtics play the Hawks again on January 28th. Expect Atlanta to come out with a chip on their shoulder after getting embarrassed at home.
Boston is officially a juggernaut again. If you missed the live action, the 132-106 scoreline tells you everything you need to know about who owns the East right now.