How the Celtics became their failures against the Hawks

The NBA has a poetic way of rewarding you for your strengths and making you pay for your shortcomings. For the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks last night, fate played the hits in the biggest moment.

No matter how poorly they played, Boston gave themselves chances to win down the stretch. The bench was nonexistent, shooting was just about average and the Celtics’ offense came down to Jaylen Brown and Derrick White making shots when they needed to. The Celtics shot nine whole percent better than the Hawks from three, reaching their fabled 40% mark that usually signifies a win.

But counting stats can only get you so far, even when the Celtics’ shot themselves in the foot so many times they…