POST GAME - ORLANDO - AWAY

Stars, studs and duds: 'Porous' Celtics defense in fourth

CSNNE

SHERROD BLAKELY

The fourth quarter rolled around Friday night and we saw something from the Boston Celtics we haven’t seen in a while – really crappy defense.

While they still rank among the NBA’s best defensive squads, their play in the fourth quarter of Friday’s 119-114 loss was certainly not one of their shining moments.

Boston allowed Orlando to shoot 55 percent (11-for-20) from the field in the fourth quarter, in addition to sending them to the free throw line 21 times (they made 13).

“We played really porous defense in the fourth quarter,” Celtics head coach Brad Stevens told reporters after the loss. “We made bad decisions on defense. Didn’t’ challenge the right guys.”

Losing to Orlando is one thing. Considering the Magic had lost eight straight coming into Sunday’s game, they were overdue to get off their losing skid.

But for them to do so and Boston’s defense or rather lack of defense, being a major contributor to Orlando’s victory. Not surprisingly that does not sit well with the Celtics players.

“That’s something we try to establish ourselves, on the defensive end,” Marcus Smart told reporters after the game. “And stop those easy buckets. We gave them too many.”

Smart added, “They made a lot of tough shots. But we let them get comfortable early. Once you get comfortable, those tough shots become easier and easier to you and the basket looks like it’s bigger. We have to stop that from the get-go.”

Here are the Stars, Studs and Duds from Sunday’s game:


STARS

Evan Fournier

Shots were falling most of the night for Fournier who gave the Celtics problems all game with his shooting from the field and frequent trips to the free throw line. He finished with 24 points on 6-for-8 shooting which included four 3-pointers.

Mario Hezonja

The Celtics gave him way too many good looks to start the game, allowing him to get into a nice rhythm as he finished with 17 points off the bench.

Marcus Smart

It was a strong night for Smart at both ends of the floor, scoring a career high-tying 26 points which included him making five of his nine 3-point attempts.


STUDS

Avery Bradley

The good news is that Bradley had 22 points for the Celtics. The bad news? He needed 21 shots to get it, one of the more glaring examples of how inefficient Boston’s offense was on Sunday.

Aaron Gordon

He really is starting to come on strong for the Magic in ways beyond just being an athletic, high-energy player. He had a double-double of 19 points and 14 rebounds in addition to dishing out five assists from the power forward position.

Nikola Vucevic

Much of Orlando’s offense goes through Vucevic and unlike Friday’s game in Boston, he made the Celtics pay dearly. He finished with a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds along with seven assists.


DUDS

Boston’s 3-point shooting

The Celtics are a jump-shooting team of course, but they have to be smarter about it than they were on Sunday. Boston took a franchise-record 46 3-pointers, connecting on just 16 3-pointers (they shot 9-for-34 in the second half).

Jae Crowder

This was not one of Crowder’s better games this season, scoring just five points on 2-for-8 shooting. In addition to struggling with his shot, Crowder – and the Celtics as a team – had major problems defensively which factored in the Magic shooting 53.7 percent from the field.
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STUDS AND DUDS: CELTICS FALL TO MAGIC, ENDING THEIR FIVE GAME WIN STREAK

WEEI

By Sam Packard

Jan 31, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Mario Hezonja (23) shoots around Boston Celtics forward Amir Johnson (90) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

The Celtics saw their five-game winning streak snapped in a 119-114 loss to the Magic on Sunday in Orlando.

The hosts prevailed on the strength of a 72-point second half, overcoming a 14-point deficit in the third quarter to lead by as many as 11 in the fourth.

The Celtics cut the deficit to 3 with 14 seconds left to play on a four-point play by Marcus Smart, but the comeback fell short.

Evan Fournier (24) and rookie Mario Herzonja (17) led the Magic, combining for 41 points off the bench. Four other Magic scored in double figures.

Smart matched his career-high with 26 points including seven in a five-second span during the frenetic comeback. Isaiah Thomas had 23 and Avery Bradley added 22.

The (27-22) Celtics are now tied with the Atlanta Hawks for fourth in the Eastern Conference, one-half game behind the Chicago Bulls.

For a complete box score, click here.

STUD OF THE NIGHT Marcus Smart

Smart continued his hot streak from distance, nailing a season-high five 3-pointers. Since taking advantage of last week’s blizzard to spend an extra day practicing his stroke, Smart has shot better than 50 percent from long distance.

DUD OF THE NIGHT Jae Crowder

It was a rare off-night for Crowder, typically one of the team’s most consistent performers. He finished with only 5 points and 5 rebounds and compiled an ugly plus-minus of minus-15.

VINE OF THE NIGHT Smart channels his inner Steph Curry to beat the buzzer at the end of the first quarter. This was Smart’s third made three in 54 seconds.


WHINE OF THE NIGHT Inconsistent Sully

After a double-double on Friday, Jared Sullinger only grabbed four rebounds and scored five points in 17 minutes. The Celtics could have used his production, as they were out-rebounded 50-21 and outscored in the paint 46-32.

STAT OF THE NIGHT Live by the Three, Die by the Three

The Celtics shot 58 percent from three in the first quarter, making 7-of-12. In the final three quarters, the C’s kept chucking but did not find the same success, finishing 16-46 from beyond the arc. The 46 attempts were the most in franchise history, breaking the previous record of 38 set in 2003.

112288

We gave up back-to-back 30+ point quarters in the 2nd half.

Sully didn't show up.

Tobias Harris completely outplayed Jae.

Bradley couldn't throw the ball in the ocean but kept trying. 8-21 and 3-12 from 3. Shouldn't a coach say something, like, take it inside?

Kelly sucked. 3-9 and 0-5 from 3. His last shot was blocked, so let's leave that one out since everybody knew it was going to be a 3 and probably him. Still, that's 3-8 and 0-4.

IT, Jonas and Smart made the flight to Orlando. Smart was absolutely unconscious. He has to figure out how to lock that focus in.

Half our fgas were 3s. On a team of mediocre, at best, 3pt shooters that's bad coaching.

Evan Fournier and Mario Hezonia with career nights. I wouldn't mind Hezonia in green. A 6'8" SG. Aaron Gordon with an offensive game he didn't have when he came out of Arizona.


bob


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