smith2373 wrote:PierceFan4ever wrote:OpiumDose wrote:
You're right, but I think the fact that it was a home game is the issue here - at least for me. They finished regular season with an impressive 37-4 at home and I expected them to defend their home court for a while - in my opinion that's what title contenders are supposed to do. Instead they dropped it against injury depleted 8th seed. It's frustrating and disappointing. If they had gone up 2-0 or 3-0 and then dropped one away game I don't think reaction would be as strong as it's right now.
Bingo. It’s the fact this team always losses home games throughout the playoffs which is why each series goes 6-7 games. They couldn’t take care of home court against the hawks after making it a priority last season to protect home court. This season they talked about protecting home court and did so during the regular season but right away in game 2 they already dropped one against an 8th seeded team which is a concern for the later series if the Celtics even advance.
Celtics haven’t had a winning record at home in the playoffs since 2018
2023: 5-6
2022: 6-6
2021: 1-1
2019: 2-2
2018: 10-1
We’ve dropped a home game in 10 of our last 12
playoff series (excluding the bubble) with multiple losses in 6 of those 10 series
It’s baffling how much this team struggles
They lost 4 games at home all year...
It would be a legendary failure to not get out of the first round.
One that would cost just about everyone their job for Any other team but business as usual here guaranteed.
Edit*
To clarify I'm saying that it would be horrendous for them to lose at home in the playoffs at the previous pace you mentioned given their massive success this year at home.