Young and Tatum clash in Atlanta-Boston matchup

Updated Jan. 27, 2022 3:02 a.m. ET

Associated Press

Boston Celtics (25-24, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Atlanta Hawks (22-25, 12th in the Eastern Conference)

Atlanta; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Two of the league's top scorers, Trae Young and Jayson Tatum, meet when Atlanta and Boston face off. Young is fifth in the NBA averaging 27.7 points per game and Tatum is eighth in the league averaging 26.0 points per game.

The Hawks are 13-15 in Eastern Conference games. Atlanta ranks sixth in the Eastern Conference with 44.7 points per game in the paint led by Clint Capela averaging 10.2.

The Celtics are 17-13 in Eastern Conference play. Boston ranks seventh in the league with 10.8 offensive rebounds per game led by Robert Williams III averaging 3.9.

The teams meet for the second time this season. The Hawks won 110-99 in the last matchup on Nov. 18.

TOP PERFORMERS: Young is shooting 45.3% and averaging 27.7 points for the Hawks. Kevin Huerter is averaging 1.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Atlanta.

Tatum is shooting 42.7% and averaging 26.0 points for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown is averaging 3.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Boston.

LAST 10 GAMES: Hawks: 5-5, averaging 112.7 points, 40.9 rebounds, 25.6 assists, 6.6 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.5 points per game.

Celtics: 7-3, averaging 108.7 points, 48.0 rebounds, 24.5 assists, 6.6 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 97.0 points.

INJURIES: Hawks: None listed.

Celtics: PJ Dozier: out (acl), Bol Bol: out (foot).

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