The Celtics defeated the Falcons in Game 6 on the road 128-120 to close out the first round of the series 4-2. Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for 62 points for the winners, with Marcus Smart adding another 22 points.
Some expected Boston to sweep Atlanta in the first round but that was not the case. Tatum understands the narrative. After the game he was asked if this series would help the Celtics in the next round.
“Absolutely,” said the 25-year-old forward. “I know the story that we’re supposed to sweep them or we’re supposed to be a picnic, but the playoffs for that reason are so special. Every game is different, every series is different. And I would say at this point the playoffs didn’t go as well as everyone expected.
“There was some high level basketball being played by individual players, a team and great coaching. It was a great test for us. They definitely tested us coming here in this environment.
“They had absolute confidence throughout this game and you could see that in the way they played, the shots they were taking, the crowd just went in. That was a fun game to be a part of, a fun game to win.”
Boston will face Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.