FanPost

Who Is Really To Blame for That Stinger of a Loss?

At 9:03 in the fourth, PP makes a great steal and leads to a lob to Rob courtesy of DWhite. The Celtics go up 10 against Miami with no Smart, Brown, Horford, along with Brogdon in an away game. Felt like the Cs had the Heat’s number with how they were executing in the second half.


The joke’s on me, unfortunately.


When you go on Twitter, you’ll see almost everyone pointing fingers at who is most to blame for the final possession that involved a Tatum turnover that closed the deal for this match-up.


The Boston Celtics lost in a close one to the Heat with a score of 98-95. Make no mistake about it, the way the Cs executed after going up 10 in the fourth, they have no one else to blame but themselves.


Let’s get to it.


The Cs got themselves into a great momentum entering the second half with an 8pt lead as Tatum displayed an incredible MVP showcase. Wherein he had complete control of the game and was able to dictate the pace he wanted to play in.


He had the vision on full effect as he was able to find open teammates like at 2.9 seconds in the second as he draws two defenders, dishes out a nice assist to a cutting Kornet for the hammer.


Then there’s the scoring prowess from a deep three-ball to give the Cs the lead, and strong attacks to the basket. He was in full effect from then on.


JT dropped 31 points on 50% shooting from the field and 40% for his three-balls, monster 14 boards, and dished out 7 assists. He had a great game, but then comes the turnovers.


JT had 7 total turnovers with one crucial TO that sealed this game up as everyone from the Cs on the court looked deflated, especially Tatum.


Which goes into my main point for this blog, yes Tatum made a bad read, but let’s not act as if Tatum hasn’t grown tremendously in reading doubles and attacking zone defenses.


Let’s also put into consideration that they should have never been in that kind of situation when they were up 10 at 8:47 in the fourth.


Just look at this atrocious scoring drought and the Cs being unable to stop the bleeding:


Highsmith 3PT Made

Miss Pritchard 3PT

Miss White Floater

Miss Tatum 2PT Jumper

Highsmith 3PT Made

Adebayo Hook Shot Made

Miss Tatum Floater

Adebayo Dunk Shot Made

Timeout

Miss Pritchard Floater

Adebayo 2PT Jumpshot Made

Miss Grant Floater

Miss White 2PT Jumper

Herro 3PT Jumpshot Made

Miss White Jumper

Tatum And-One Shot Made


Just a brutal stretch.


They were however able to tie the ball game at 95 all, courtesy of a Grant triple from his favorite corner spot.


Bam makes a jumper to give his team the lead, and the brutal Tatum turnover occurs.


Watching that play unfold again after just rewatching the whole game, I’m left with the impression that if atleast one or two guys had some movement for Tatum to take advantage of as this forces the defense to scramble, we could have had a different outcome.


Grant was open at his corner spot with Herro eyeing both him and DWhite, due to a lack of movement, Herro was able to steal the pass and cause the turnover.


Some are also saying the team could have benefitted from a timeout by Joe. While I can’t completely knock that argument, I also did notice how quickly that play ensued even if one will say that Joe should have spotted how there weren’t much options for JT to take advantage of due to a lack of movement form the offense and Tatum making his move to attack too late as he was forced to give up the ball off the double team.


He saw that the ball was in the hands of his best player to make a play, and if he did call a timeout, Spoelstra would have the perfect trap for Tatum coming out of the ATO.


I do however felt that Joe could have used an earlier timeout during the team’s scoring drought as Miami could not be stopped to the point in tying the game and eventually getting the lead.


If JB, Al, Smart, and Brogdon were available the "no-timeout style of coaching" would work as your main weapons and starters are already used to these kind of situations and have shown that they are more than capable in stopping a bleeding and a scoring drought.


And also, Grant needed to be better for this game. I think the team could have used a strong outing from Grant, albeit an efficient shooting night, but also due to some inconsistent aggression and missing bunnies at the basket.


This also leads to an important factor, which is the Cs lacking three starters and an important scorer coming off the bench who also happens to be perfect in attacking zone defenses.


Is that an excuse for the team blowing a 14pt lead and a 10pt lead in the second half? No, but to an extent. An extent because of how outside of Tatum, Grant, Rob, and White, the rest of the available guys are no accustomed to long playing minutes while also in high pressure games.


75% of your offense missing? Expect scoring droughts to happen.


My two cents? Yes, this loss stings due to how they were in complete momentum and ended up fumbling it. But like I said in my previous blog, tough to beat teams when your depth is depleted along with most of your starters out.


I’m confident this team will respond, so it’s onto the next.

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