The Celtics took a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Hawks with Sunday's 129-121 victory in Game 4. Though Atlanta only led for 1:04, the Hawks were able to keep the game close, until Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown slammed the door shut in the fourth quarter.
After a slow start, Tatum and Brown responded well, each totaling 31 points on a combined 20 of 42 (47.6%) shooting. It marked the 23rd time in their tenure together that they each recorded at least 30 points apiece, with the Celtics advancing to 22-1 in such games.
The Jays combined for 28 fourth-quarter points, scoring or assisting on 10 of Boston's 12 fourth-quarter buckets and coming through with multiple timely makes. Coming off a tough second half in Game 3, the Jays needed to bounce back and they answered the call.
As a team, Boston had six players in double figures, with another six shooting 50% or better from the field. The Celtics had a fantastic night offensively, putting up 129 points on 46-for-89 (51.7%) shooting from the field and 16 of 40 (40%) from three. The ball movement from the Celtics continued to impress on Sunday night, with the team racking up 25 assists. They have recorded at least 25 assists in every game this series.
Here are three takeaways from Boston's Game 4 victory:
Jaylen Brown ditches the mask
Brown has been wearing a protective mask due to a facial fracture he suffered in mid-February, but he ditched that mask on Sunday night.
"Maybe it was all in my head," Brown said after the game. "I just needed a different look."
That different look paid off. Brown started the game 1 of 7 but would go on to shoot 11-for-15 (73.3%) after ditching the mask.
He was much more aggressive after losing the mask, with 12 of his 22 second-half points coming in the paint, and another four at the free-throw line.
Aggressive play was the key to a bounce back game for Brown, and he did just that on Sunday night.
Robert Williams makes his presence felt
Joe Mazzulla had Robert Williams deliver a message on Saturday. It was simple: "Get an MFing rebound."
Williams came through with that in Game 3. In 15 first-half minutes, Williams snagged 12 rebounds while the Hawks totalled just 20 as a team. Williams' 12 first-half rebounds were the most in a playoff game by a Celtic since Kendrick Perkins in 2008, when Big Perk snagged 13.
Williams finished the night with 13 points on 4 of 5 (80%) shooting and 15 rebounds, as he continues to show how much of a game-changer he is when he is fully healthy.
Couldn't put 'em away
The Celtics closed the first half on a 12-4 run, as they built a 12-point heading into the half. Boston could have put the Hawks away with a strong third quarter, but the C's just couldn't do it, as they were outscored 34-27 in the third quarter, letting the Hawks right back into it.
Slow second half starts were a major problem for Boston throughout last year's Finals run, and they have continued into this postseason.
Boston has been outscored 123-102 in the third quarter through four games this series. The Celtics have totalled 18 turnovers in those third quarters and have been outrebounded 49-35, with Atlanta shooting 52.5% from the field.
They might get away with it now against a team like Atlanta, but this isn't going to fly against teams like Milwaukee and Philadelphia.
Boston needs to play better to start the second half, or this could become a big problem again.
