Well, it was bound to happen at some point.
For the first time this season, the Celts had their first “bad” loss of the season.
Not just because of the result or who they lost to but also because of how it happened.
It’s been 3 YEARS and hundreds and hundreds of games which is what makes it all so frustrating.
This is only the 3rd time since 2009 (!!)
that the Celts have done something like this on a basketball court.
So you could see why people might be a little annoyed with their play in this loss.
It’s simply not who they are.
There was no resistance defensively and the Hawks simply wanted it more.
It was essentially the exact opposite of what makes this team so good.
What matters is the process and how Jaylen continues to see the floor.
- It’s extremely annoying to see this team waste awesome Derrick White performances.
I appreciate that after this disasterclass performance everyone is saying the right things, which is nice.
Unfortunately, talk is cheap.
It’s time to show it on the actual court.
- Alright, we can move on.
How rare is that?
Prior to that stretch they were 36-0 including the playoffs.
They lost the quarter by 8 points.
How is this even possible?
Turnovers and offensive rebounds.
The two things that kill the Celtics regardless of what version you’d like to choose.
Remember those early Heat series?
They’d lose those playoff games due to turnovers, points off turnovers, and late game rebounding.
Look at each of their losses this year and what do you see?
Turnover issues and poor late game rebounding.
It’s really that simple.
If you rebound and take care of the basketball, your offense makes you unbeatable.
If you fuck around and lose the margins, you get nights like last night.
Due to their ball pressure and aggressiveness on the glass, the Hawks finished with a 100-75 FGA difference.
That is legitimately insane.
There’s no chance for an OREB, no chance for extra possessions and maybe a big momentum bucket.
You know who got those?
The Hawks, which is why they deserved this win.
He did re-sprain it late in the game, but that doesn’t excuse his first 3 quarters.
They are yet to show that this version of the team can handle physical ball pressure.
The Nets did it and it took an OT win to save that game.
Guess what the Nets are going to do tonight?
Be aggressive with their ball pressure and their physicality.
Joe essentially admitted this after the game which is another annoying part of this whole ordeal.
They know what teams are going to do and still don’t seem ready to handle it.
- Tough night for the bench to be a complete non-factor offensively.
That should never, ever happen at home.
you’re able to have one of those things, but you cannot have both.
If the shots aren’t falling, then the defense has to be legit.
If the defense is legit, then you have to make your clean looks.
Siakam 5-7 from deep, Kyle Anderson 3-5, Larry Nance Jr 5-6.
He’s played well over 500 career games and not once had he made 5 3PM.
So yeah, the Basketball Gods made their point.
- I mean, explain this?
If this isn’t the Basketball Gods proving a point I’m not sure what is.
This ball didn’t go in
If that drops, the game is over.
We embrace them, and we move on.
The missed FTs and laziness with the ball are exactly how you lose games.
The thing is, it was everyone.
- Sadly, this is only half of the story.
Basically, when games get tight, they simply cannot keep their opponent off the glass.
Over the final 5:44, they gave up 4 OREBs.
It was the final nail in the coffin.
That shit is so annoying.
Instead, it ended up being 3 points for the Hawks.
That’s inexcusable
So hey, you take this loss on the chin and you turn the page.
Play to your standard, and you are essentially unbeatable.
Fuck around, and you aren’t going to like what you find out.
