Three Celtics combined to score 50 of Boston’s season-high 66 second half points on Saturday night. They did so while shooting a spectacular 85 percent from the field (17-of-20) in Boston’s 15th straight win, a 110-99 victory over the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena.
Kyrie Irving (19 second half points), Jaylen Brown (17 second half points) and Jayson Tatum (14 second half points) put on an absolute show in the come-from-behind win, helping Boston’s offense reach arguably it’s peak level this season over a 24 minute span. Let’s examine what made each of their nights so promising, for now and the future.
Irving: The 25-year-old point guard continues to play his best basketball as a Celtic during “winning” time, but he’s still played far below his offensive potential in his first few weeks in Green. The All-Star was shooting career lows from the field and 3-point range entering Saturday night, while averaging a pedestrian 20 points per game. In Atlanta, we saw shades of the offensive juggernaut that the Celtics need him to be on a nightly basis for the better part of 48 minutes, specifically if this team wants to contend. Whether it was creating separation out of nowhere for his 3-point looks or crossing over defenders that are a little too eager to contest his jump shot, this was Irving at his best and he put on an absolute show. He didn’t miss in the second half, hitting all six field goals, including three 3-point attempts, and all four free throws.
In the @celtics' 15th consecutive victory, Kyrie scored a game-high 30 PTS & only needed 12 field goal attempts to do it! #Celtics pic.twitter.com/hBRMCwW6ll
— NBA (@NBA) November 19, 2017
Kyrie Irving draws a little attention, I'd say pic.twitter.com/MOBYzNEPYN
— John Karalis ?? (@RedsArmy_John) November 19, 2017
Late game buckets from Kyrie Irving. #Celtics pic.twitter.com/MsZslT1a6U
— NBA (@NBA) November 19, 2017
Jaylen Brown na vitória do #Celtics sobre o Atlanta Hawks pic.twitter.com/i22r2oRWiK
— NBA das Mina (@podnbadasmina) November 19, 2017
Jayson Tatum... Coast to Coast! #NBARooks pic.twitter.com/tluT76ULt3
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) November 19, 2017
THE ROOK IS TAKING CONTROL ?#SunLifeDunk4Diabetes pic.twitter.com/Tbmf7zwOfy
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 19, 2017