Chowder and Champions
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3 Celtics who must lock in vs Hawks in 2023 NBA Playoffs opening round

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 11: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts after hitting a three-point basket against the Atlanta Hawks in the final minutes of the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on March 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 11: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts after hitting a three-point basket against the Atlanta Hawks in the final minutes of the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on March 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

2. Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart vs Trae Young and Dejounte Murray

Marcus Smart defensively is a major factor in this opening round series.

With the Hawks having a backcourt duo in Young and Dejounte Murray, the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year is going to be challenged.  Young is going to get his, but the Celtics defense as a whole has to make the other players on the court beat them, get the ball out of Young’s hands and more into Murray’s hands.

While Murray is good, he doesn’t have the ability to single-handedly beat the Celtics like Young could if he gets going.

That’s where Smart could and probably will get under Young’s skin.

There is already a history there as Smart initiated an altercation with Young on the court during the Celtics 134-125 victory over the Hawks in a game back in March.  The altercation led to Smart being ejected from the game and also a $25,000 fine.

With how competitive both players are, that will spill over to this first-round matchup.  As for the Celtics making sure this first-round matchup doesn’t become a long series, Smart will have to keep his head in the game while also trying to get in Young’s head.

To do that, he must play sound defense and on the offensive end continue to be the playmaker he is by getting Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown the ball where they want it.  He can also make Young play some defense by posting him up a bit.  Make the game physical with the Hawks leading scorer and most importantly make someone else have to step up and score for Atlanta.

Overall, the tenacity of Marcus Smart will be key to how this series starts and obviously how it ends.

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