The Boston Celtics suffered a major setback on Monday night as they let a commanding 30-point lead slip away, ultimately losing 120-118 to the Atlanta Hawks. This defeat marked the Celtics' biggest blown lead since 1996, leaving fans disappointed and opening the door for social media mockery.

However, it's important to maintain perspective. The Celtics should not be embarrassed by this late-March loss to the Hawks, considering their remarkable 11-game lead in the standings and their early clinching of the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. While their reputation took a hit due to late-game struggles and iso sets from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, those who closely follow the team know that they have consistently handled their business throughout the season.

The disparity in three-point shooting was a decisive factor in the game. The Hawks outperformed the Celtics, hitting an impressive 50 percent (18-for-36) from beyond the arc, while the Celtics struggled with a disappointing 28.9 percent (11-for-38). Particularly in the second half, the Celtics struggled to find their rhythm, going just 1-for-15 from three-point range.

Several Celtics players had a tough night from deep, including Sam Hauser (2-for-10), Kristaps Porzingis (1-for-4), Tatum (2-for-7), and Brown (2-for-7). On the other hand, the Hawks capitalized on turnovers, outscoring the Celtics 15-6 in points off turnovers despite having slightly more turnovers themselves.

The crucial shot that sealed the victory for the Hawks came from De'Andre Hunter, who hit an improbable three-pointer in the closing seconds of the game. If he had missed, the Celtics would have had another chance to secure the win. However, Hunter's shot fell, closing out a game that had dramatic twists and turns until the very end.

Reflecting on the loss, the Celtics acknowledged that they became complacent after building a large lead. Kristaps Porzingis stressed the need to avoid developing bad habits and take responsibility for their lapse in focus. Tatum candidly admitted that they "f-ed the game up" but expressed confidence that they could bounce back.

It's worth noting that the absence of Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, who won Eastern Conference Player of the Week and suffered a hand sprain, respectively, played a part in the Celtics' struggles. Their presence could have potentially alleviated the offensive stagnation witnessed in the final minutes of the game.

Looking ahead, the Celtics understand that their sights are set on the playoffs, with maintaining the health of their key players being their top priority. Their next significant games will occur after the regular-season finale on April 14th.

In an interesting twist, the Hawks and the Celtics will face each other again in their next respective games, adding more intrigue to their ongoing back-and-forth battle. The Celtics will conclude the month of March with a match against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.

While the loss to the Hawks was undoubtedly a disappointment for the Celtics, they remain focused on their larger objectives. As they take the lessons learned from this defeat, the Celtics aim to regroup and come back stronger as they continue their pursuit of a successful playoff run.

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