The playoffs haven’t started yet, but it sure felt like a potential postseason preview in State Farm Arena on Thursday night. In what could potentially be a #1 vs. #8 matchup next month, the Celtics lost to the Hawks 123-122 in overtime.
It was the first time that head coach Joe Mazzulla had his preferred starting lineup of Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis since March 7th in a loss in Denver.
Much has been made this week of the Celtics’ clutch time performance and with a 102-101 lead with just over five minutes left, the game turned into another test of Boston’s mettle.