Boston still has glaring late-game issues

[EmpireFalls]

I know they’re pencilled in as championship favorites by everyone but they have yet to solve the late game calculus. No one can truly create an advantage off the dribble, they don’t have a truly great ball handler, and it just devolves into 3s and rushed shots. They were clearly terrified to drive and go inside tonight, especially Tatum and Brown. And it’s not just tonight, I watched the exact same issues show up in Charlotte of all places earlier this month.

What can they do to solve this?

[RB34]

Death, taxes and a Celtics thread after every loss.

[Bobbymcgee]

Wait, I thought it was Marcus Smart's fault?

[Zeno]

They are down Porzingas and that changes a lot. Time will tell though if the mentality to just keep chucking regardless of the situation will persist or not this year in the playoffs.

[LordCovington33]

But but … we told in another thread that teams need to be focused on next season as they will not lose.

I think they will be fine and the close games (although losses) will give them something to learn from.

[TinmanZBoy]

chucking 3s without great shooter....

[DonaldSanders]

Ahh yes, Steph Curry giving the Celtics the Night-Night, no greater joy.



(Sorry Bisme)

[AussieCeltic]

I think it's a little recency bias coming into play. Let's take a closer look at some of the tight games they've had.

The wins

vs 76ers - Down 1 with 2:30 to play. Win by 6
vs Grizz - Down 2 with 1:33 to play. Win by 2
vs Raptors - Down 2 with 1:38 to play. Win by 3
vs Knicks - Down 2 with 2:03 to play. Win by 4

The losses (all away games)

vs 76ers - Down 14 with 2 mins left. Lost by 3. Had a chance to tie but KP missed a 3.
vs Wolves - Wolves tied on a 3 with minute left and neither team scored. Went to OT and lost by 5.
vs Hornets - Celtics had a 9 point lead with 2 minutes left.
vs Warriors - Tied game with a minute left. Celtics had 5 looks on one possession (4 wide open) including a layup from Brown and a wide open tip from Horford.

The only concerning game for me was the Hornets game. I think the Warriors and Wolves games, the Celtics had great looks but just couldn't convert on the day. It happens - especially on the road. No team is going to be perfect in these situations. Curry and Klay hit some huge shots down the stretch which you just have to live with sometimes.

Of the 6 losses, only 2 have been by double digits and 3 went to OT.

[FarBeyondDriven]

when defensive intensity increases at end of games and more attention is given to Tatum, taking him away, they don't have anyone else they can rely on. When Tatum is "choking" it's because he knows this and puts pressure on himself to get it done anyway, presses, and comes up short. Doesn't matter who is coaching them, it's been the case for half a decade since the system hasn't changed. Maybe Porzingis can be that guy. Have to wait and see.

[jdm_dc_fan]

I know they’re pencilled in as championship favorites by everyone but they have yet to solve the late game calculus. No one can truly create an advantage off the dribble, they don’t have a truly great ball handler, and it just devolves into 3s and rushed shots. They were clearly terrified to drive and go inside tonight, especially Tatum and Brown. And it’s not just tonight, I watched the exact same issues show up in Charlotte of all places earlier this month.

What can they do to solve this?

Brown went 7/8 from the FT line and only took four 3’s and he’s scared to go in the paint? Lol you clearly only watch Boston when it’s against your team lol

[AussieCeltic]

This was last year but still shows how efficient Tatum and Brown have been in the clutch

Read on Twitter

?s=46

[LordCovington33]

Ahh yes, Steph Curry giving the Celtics the Night-Night, no greater joy.



(Sorry Bisme)

Curry will have plenty of time to sleep later, on his sofa while watching other teams compete in the playoffs.

[Scarletfire81]

Not really fair because they were missing KP. He’s been a major difference maker this season, it was just one game anyway.

[svart]

Ahh yes, Steph Curry giving the Celtics the Night-Night, no greater joy.



(Sorry Bisme)

Curry will have plenty of time to sleep later, on his sofa while watching other teams compete in the playoffs.

yeah, maybe, but for now he's the C's daddy.

Don't take away the little petty pleasures we have this season

[svart]

Not really fair because they were missing KP. He’s been a major difference maker this season, it was just one game anyway.

Dray - out
GPII - out
CP3 - illness
Wiggs - ilness
Podz - got hurt middle of the game.

Not quite at full strengt here as well

[Statlanta]

It’s funny because Bill Simmons thought getting rid of Smart would solve this when it only shuffles culpability with other teams role players.

Everyone’s favorite underrated player Derrick White isn’t getting go-to-guy touches at the end of games.

[Wargreymon]

Porzingis didn’t play so I wouldn’t put too much weight into one game to make that kind of proclamation

[Big J]

Porzingis didn’t play so I wouldn’t put too much weight into one game to make that kind of proclamation

Warriors were missing Draymond & GP2 though.

[Scarletfire81]

Not really fair because they were missing KP. He’s been a major difference maker this season, it was just one game anyway.

Dray - out
GPII - out
CP3 - illness
Wiggs - ilness
Podz - got hurt middle of the game.

Not quite at full strengt here as well

Yeah and Tatum twisted his ankle to start the game. All around this is one game & neither team was at full strength. Hard to gauge anything from it.

[The_Ghost_of_JB]

chucking 3s without great shooter....

Honestly that sums it up. I was watching the game as I was like WTF they are going to shoot 60 3s. Turns out I was close they shot 58 of them and missed a team record of 41 of them. Although normally Hauser is a pretty solid shooter but he missed 7 threes. Regardless your original point still stands.