The Celtics faced a tough challenge in Game 3 against the Hawks, knowing that the Hawks were determined to avoid elimination after losing the first two games of the series.
Playing on the Hawks' home court, the Celtics knew that it would be a challenging matchup.
The Hawks were motivated to win and extend their season, making them the more desperate team on the court.
This article highlights the difficulty the Celtics faced in Game 3 and the importance of the Hawks' sense of urgency in the matchup.
In Game 3, the Hawks set a playoff franchise record by scoring 74 points in the first half, shooting an impressive 65 percent from the field.
Despite a slight drop in shooting percentage in the second half, the Hawks finished the game shooting 56 percent overall and 44.1 percent from behind the arc.
This strong offensive performance allowed the Hawks to withstand the Celtics' 21-for-48 (43.8 percent) shooting from three-point range, as the Celtics suffered their third loss of the season when making 20 or more three-pointers in a game.
The Hawks' efficient scoring and ability to weather the Celtics' three-point shooting proved to be a key factor in their victory in Game 3.
Despite the Celtics having their chances, they were unable to secure a win against the Hawks in Game 3.
While the Hawks had an exceptional offensive night, the Celtics' offensive performance, particularly their barrage of 3-pointers in the first half, helped them stay in the game.