The Boston Celtics fell to a 57-16 record after most had thought of it to be a concerning second loss in the same week to Atlanta. Boston first gave up a 30 point lead in Tuesday nights game, to Thursday night’s loss being a back and forth battle with the Trae Young less Hawks. Although Boston struggled throughout the game with rebounds and being able to contain Dejounte Murray Head Coach Joe Mazzulla thought differently.
“No those were good reps for us, we went to that on purpose. We had an opportunity to practice stuff that we are going to need to get to,” said Mazzulla on Kristaps Porziņģis guarding Murray.
Though Murray did score 44 points those were off of 44 shot attempts, shooting 40 percent overall for the game. Murray did capture all of Atlantas overtime points with 11 including the game winning shot. He scored 66 points combined in the two games against Boston, leading the Hawks to their fourth straight victory.
With around six seconds in overtime was a contested Jaylen brown midrange to put the Celtics up a single point, next would game a game winning midrange shot by Murray with 0.1 on the clock.
“We ran an action but Atlanta kinda blew it up, So I just made a play towards the ball, KP found me and I made a tough shot and it went in. It was supposed to a rip screen, trying to see if we can get a layup towards the rim. But Atlanta’s physicality kinda blew it up,” said Brown.
Boston next will take on the Pelicans in New Orleans, with a different mindset than most fans would expect. As many would have liked for a Celtics tone setting victory against the Hawks Thursday night, they seem to have been taking this final stretch of games as a learning approach. The Celtics have already locked up the eastern conference, with a chance to do the same with the overall standings in the NBA.
Guard Jrue Holiday returning after missing a few games from a shoulder injury, always making impacts for the team, being one of their best defensive pieces on the court. Holiday not be phased by the loss and ready for the New Orleans Saturday evening.
“Just go to the next city, the next game. Give me a good meal and some good sleep,” said Holiday on how he will move on from the loss.
Boston heads into their final nine games with the Oklahoma City Thunder on April third giving them a chance to secure the top seed in the NBA.
Featured image above: Dejounte Murray hits a game-winner over five-time All-Defensive team guard Jrue Holiday. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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