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Celtics Wrap: Boston Falls In Double OT Thriller Vs. Knicks
It was the third loss for the Celtics in their last four games

NESN by Greg Dudek

BOSTON — The Celtics lost to the Knicks for a second time within a week as New York took down Boston, 131-129, in a double overtime thriller on Sunday night at TD Garden.

The loss, which was Boston’s third in its last four games, dropped the the Celtics to 45-20 while the Knicks won their ninth straight contest to improve to 39-27.

ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
.It’s rather strange, but the Celtics are having major issues protecting double-digit leads.

After blowing a 28-point advantage to the Brooklyn Nets, Boston seemed well positioned to get back into the win column against the Knicks. The Celtics took a 14-point lead with 6:27 left after a Grant Williams 3-pointer.

But then the Celtics, as they have become prone to doing, took their foot off the gas pedal and the Knicks came storming back. And New York didn’t even have its best player in Jalen Brunson, who was out with a foot injury.

Boston mounted a furious rally on its own, but that’s a very dangerous game to play as they found out. The Celtics forced overtime, but it really shouldn’t have got to that point. They couldn’t take care of business in regulation when they had the chance and it cost them.

STARS OF THE GAME
— Immanuel Quickly did plenty of celebrating on the famed parquet and he had plenty of reason for it. The third-year guard was a difference-maker for the Knicks, tallying a career-high 38 points while grabbing eight rebounds, dishing out seven assists and collecting four steals.

— Jayson Tatum was his usual self for the Celtics. He poured in a game-high 40 points to go along with 11 rebounds and six assists.

— Julius Randle turned in a big-time performance for the Knicks. He netted 31 points to go along with nine rebounds.

WAGER WATCH
DraftKings Sportsbook set Al Horford’s over/under for rebounds at 6.5 with +120 odds on the Over. It took the Celtics big only until halftime to surpass the mark and he finished with 14 total rebounds. A $100 wager on the prop bet would have netted $220.

UP NEXT
There is no rest for the Celtics as they play the second leg of a back-to-back Monday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who Boston just defeated this past Wednesday at TD Garden. Tipoff for this contest is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

112288

Another day, another ugly loss, and I have no confidence in Joe to right this ship.


Bob


.

Boston we have a problem!

I am laying this on Joe Mazzulla. Sorry coach, you won a lot of games in the earlier part of the season but now that the teams are getting ready for the grind, you don't seem to have it together.

We got the ball with game tied and 11 ticks left in regulation. The guys had clawed back. Call a timeout. Let them clear their head, get a little bit of their legs back! But no.

Then there is team identity. We are a soft team. I understand this drive and kick offense. But we also have to be willing to get physical inside.

When Jaylen went down, Smart was also out. We had a team that was moving the ball beautifully. Now, with Jaylen and Smart in the lineup, we are stagnant again. What will be the identity of this team coach? Do we have one yet?

Very frustrated. We need to be settling in and honing down our execution. Not seeing that.

bobheckler wrote:Another day, another ugly loss, and I have no confidence in Joe to right this ship.


Bob


.

+1

It’s not all on Joe, Brad decided to go with RWill and Al this year. Without Rob we have weaker defense and not enough rebounding. Brogdon also has an injury history and now he’s out. We have great depth WHEN healthy, with those 2 out; suddenly other teams can beat us as J’s can’t carry team enough. Quickley was getting to the basket at will, that doesn’t happen with Rob. We are going to have the same problem going into playoffs and next year, we are trying to rely on an unreliable player and an old player that plays great; but also can’t rebound enough. Anyone feel confident RWill can be healthy and ready for playoffs, then stay that way throughout for intense playoff grind?

Back to Joe, he had a chance if we were healthy, he’s not a good enough or experienced enough coach to pull this off with our depleted roster IMHO.

prakash wrote:Boston we have a problem!

I am laying this on Joe Mazzulla.  Sorry coach, you won a lot of games in the earlier part of the season but now that the teams are getting ready for the grind, you don't seem to have it together.

We got the ball with game tied and 11 ticks left in regulation.  The guys had clawed back.  Call a timeout.  Let them clear their head, get a little bit of their legs back!  But no.

Then there is team identity.  We oare a soft team.  I understand this drive and kick offense.  But we also have to be willing to get physical inside.

When Jaylen went down, Smart was also out.  We had a team that was moving the ball beautifully.  Now, with Jaylen and Smart in the lineup, we are stagnant again.  What will be the identity of this team coach?  Do we have one yet?

Very frustrated.  We need to be settling in and honing down our execution.  Not seeing that.

Agreed he totally blew the game right there. A great coach would have relished that opportunity to give his team the best chance and call a great play that he should know by the pace of and players match up strengths going at that team the whole game. Inadequate coaching right there

Mo Bamba, Mason Plumlee, Naz Reid all would have been much better options than Kornet, Blake and Muscala. We don’t have enough interior defense and rebounding against any playoff level team without Rob.

Well, PHI, thanks for the gift but you can have it back.  Thanks for trying WAS.  Good effort.  Better than ours.

Back to blowing leads again.  Very sophomorically inexplicable for our team at this time and level.  Definitely 2 steps back.

Oh great.  A B2B tonight vs. CLE.  Let's sit out more people this game and officially make this a losing streak.  While I don't think it is possible to lose six more games than CLE over the next 17 games, we might want to go ahead and make reservations for 3rd in the East for the playoffs.  CLE will get one back tonight.      

db

P.S.  Just to end my self-induced Celtic pity party before dboss deservedly slaps me face back into reality, the alleged greatest Celtic team ever assembled was 0-2 vs. Utah head-to-head record during 1985-86 season.  Now granted that was against a team out West, but a losing head-to-head record can occur during a great season for whatever reason(s).  Our head-to-head losing records are a lot closer to home with playoff-ready CLE and NYK and we may have to figure our way out of things if we meet either in the playoffs or hope other teams take care of business. Can't count on that.  3rd right now would give us BKN in the 1st round and avoid CLE and NYK altogether.  2nd would possibly give us the Heat, Hawks (let's avoid them with a new coach with an anticipated  wild hair idea of knocking off a top seed in the first round just for kicks/what have we got to lose attitude) and TOR.  Unless MIL goes on an even crazier spell than us and we keep silver platter gifts presented to us over the next 17 games, finishing 1st place in the East is now gone.

cowens/oldschool wrote:Mo Bamba, Mason Plumlee, Naz Reid all would have been much better options than Kornet, Blake and Muscala. We don’t have enough interior defense and rebounding against any playoff level team without Rob.

Cowen, you are 100% correct! And you are relying on a 35-36 year old Horford to play major minutes as your big!

This is on Brad not Joe!

112288

112288 wrote:

cowens/oldschool wrote:Mo Bamba, Mason Plumlee, Naz Reid all would have been much better options than Kornet, Blake and Muscala. We don’t have enough interior defense and rebounding against any playoff level team without Rob.

Cowen, you are 100% correct!   And you are relying on a 35-36 year old Horford to play major minutes as your big!

This is on Brad not Joe!

112288

Grant Williams played 44 minutes and gave us 9 points and 6 rebounds, Naz Reid is consistently more productive than that in 15-19 minutes a game. This kind of production from GWill is not worth 20 million per IMHO. GWill had over a week off to rest and fine tune his game during all star break and he’s in terrible offensive slump that is hurting team and probably costing him millions.

I apologize. Yesterday was my son-in-law's birthday. I couldn't go to the party due to illness (non-covid). It was relayed to me by my wife that all he wanted for his birthday (from me) was for me to cheer for his team (the Knicks).

I did.

The nausea we all felt yesterday was due to the axis of the entire world going off-kilter due to my decision.

Again, I apologize.

gyso wrote:I apologize.  Yesterday was my son-in-law's birthday.  I couldn't go to the party due to illness (non-covid).  It was relayed to me by my wife that all he wanted for his birthday (from me) was for me to cheer for his team (the Knicks).

I did.

The nausea we all felt yesterday was due to the axis of the entire world going off-kilter due to my decision.

Again, I apologize.

GYSO I’ll forgive you……….in a month or two!

Another horrible loss.

Our man to man defense is terrible. We couldn't contain Quickly and played Barrett soft. We kept letting Barrett get to his left hand easily. We needed to be physical with Barrett. Quickly, on the other hand, just flat out smoked us. He just had a game. However, we let him turn the corner too many times. Also our interior defense and rebounding was horrible. Robinson just killed us on the offensive boards. Yes, Rob Williams would have helped, but I agree with Rosalie that Blake should have been given a shot. He's tougher than Muscala. Blake would have fought his ass off to get a rebound or take a charge. No doubt Muscala is the better shooter, but we needed more toughness last night. Joe made the wrong choice and Brad put us in a box with a center that can't stay healthy.

Letting 10 seconds run off the clock, down two was not good either. Down two with 22 seconds left you have to go fast and get as many shots as possible. Yes, we ended up with a good look, but it was all or nothing. We also botched the final play of the first OT. Took too long. JT probably had a clean 17 foot look, but tried to drive it and didn't have the time. This really isn't on the players, this is coaching. Joe just relies on the players. Doesn't use timeouts correctly. Yes, these guys are pros, but sometimes a little guidance is helpful. He is too hands off.

Now we have to go to Cleveland with no Rob or Al. Looks bleak, so we will probably win.

Yes...this is on Brad. He should have gotten better interior help and Joe is just too immature to make the wise decisions a more experienced coach (Thibs) would make. Sad to see the season slipping away.

bobc33 wrote:

gyso wrote:I apologize.  Yesterday was my son-in-law's birthday.  I couldn't go to the party due to illness (non-covid).  It was relayed to me by my wife that all he wanted for his birthday (from me) was for me to cheer for his team (the Knicks).

I did.

The nausea we all felt yesterday was due to the axis of the entire world going off-kilter due to my decision.

Again, I apologize.

GYSO I’ll forgive you……….in a month or two!

Banner 18 will heal all wounds. Remember, in the playoffs, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!

gyso wrote:

bobc33 wrote:

gyso wrote:I apologize.  Yesterday was my son-in-law's birthday.  I couldn't go to the party due to illness (non-covid).  It was relayed to me by my wife that all he wanted for his birthday (from me) was for me to cheer for his team (the Knicks).

I did.

The nausea we all felt yesterday was due to the axis of the entire world going off-kilter due to my decision.

Again, I apologize.

GYSO I’ll forgive you……….in a month or two!

Banner 18 will heal all wounds.  Remember, in the playoffs, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!

Yeah, anything is possible. There is the "possible" and then there is the "likely". I don't see this team winning a ring. I see them exiting in round two. Tatum continues to miss layups (and he isn't the only one-Horford is missing bunnies too). We have Tatum and Grant chirping at the refs all the time and the team not getting back on defense. Then we have Rob Williams injured AGAIN with a hammy, and those things can take a long time to heal. White and Tatum said that they will figure it out, but what else do you really expect them to say?
Jaylen is at least as good a basketball player as Tatum. Maybe Tatum's wrist is hurting more than he is letting on, but if not, if this is what he is, he would make a very good supporting player but he is definitely not the kind of guy who can dominate on most nights. I haven't looked up his shooting percentage but it doesn't seem excellent to my eye. I think he is overrated.

I just am having such a hard time wrapping my head around this total disaster that has happened to my Celtics. I thought in Nov/Dec we may be peaking too soon, we could not be beat. Is it a head trip??? I know the reaction is to blame Joe, and he does bear some responsibility, but, Brad should have looked at this team closer and realized that we had weaknesses that needed addressing. Heck, go back to the start of the season, everyone was yelling for a big, a wing. something. The only move me made was Muscala. Not good enough Brad. Injuries have just put this team ten steps back. Marcus has not been the player he was at the first of the year, and I cannot talk about Rob, I get sick where to go??? what to do??? Pressure is getting to them, no doubt

"The fish smells from the head."
...Governor Mike Dukakis. 1988.

The Celtics have now posted a 4-6 record in OT games this season.  

Our various lineups cannot play effectively in a switch everything defense.   All it takes is for a single weak link to break the chain.

Last night the Knicks were hunting mismatch situations.  

But let's not beat around the bush.  The Celtics are losing games this year because their defense is simply not as good as it was last year.  So much focus is on the offensive side of the ball that fans forget that defense wins championships.

A deeper look reveals that the Celtics are not as good defending the paint and they are not as good defending the 3 pointer.  

Last season the Celtics were #1 in defending the 3 point shot.  This year they rank at #11.  Last year the Celtics were ranked #2 in not allowing points in the paint.  This year they rank at #10.

One reason why this has happened is because Ime was a far superior coach to CJ and this team cannot defend the paint and the perimeter without RW.

Brad recognized that we needed to add a padlock to our center depth but he did nothing but half step his way to a cheap rotation guy  who is best suited to stretch the floor.  It is patently absurd to consider Muscala as an option that can play in a switch everything defense or be a force in the paint.

What troubles me is that Brad knew the type of center that we needed and could have added him.
Tonight the Celtics will likely start Muscala in the middle and we are likely to lose to the Cavs again.  

So now what do they do?

Hope and pray that RW can get on the good foot and/or change up their defenses.

My uninformed and less than expert advice would be for the Celtics to play more zone defenses.  Our puppy level coach may want to take a page out of the playbook used by Eric Spoelstra.  He is a really smart coach that understands how to mask matchup weaknesses.  He does this by employing a variety of zone defenses.  I do not anticipate changes to the defense by our coach.

More than anything else, players play hard when the coach coaches them hard and helps to instill a high level of mental toughness.  This season's edition is soft.

It would be very difficult for me to assume that SIASJ can acquire a level of coaching excellence that can help this team win this year.  The guy still has no clue on the need to call timeouts in single possession games.

Yes dboss. The fish smells drom the head. When we lost Ime we lost a lot.

It is hard to be positive when things go bad for my favorite team, but I refuse to turn my back on them.  Yes, I yell at the TV during games so much that our dogs take to howling and leave the room.

That said, it could be worse.  We could be Knicks fans, or worse, Charlotte.  Season after season of futility and failed lottery picks resulting in nothing.  The Knicks are one of the hottest NBA teams ATM.  Does anyone think they have much of a chance to go very far in the playoffs?  No.  But we do and that's what I am holding on to.

I find it amazing how fast Brad can go from being a team-building genius to being an absolute failure in a matter of a few games.  Rinse and repeat.  

I've posted this comment before: There is just not enough available busses for some of you folks.

my flag is still flying outside my door, it will stay there all season into the playoffs. I am not jumping ship, I am one concerned die hard fan. I sit in my living room and talk to my bobblehead Jaylen Brown statue, we chat about what is going on, and what needs to be done. Then the games come and some just surprise me with their play. I am sometimes shocked at how many put the blame on Jayson Tatum's shoulders. What more can this kid do???? I agree he should have better shot selection, but sometimes you would think he was the 15th player on the team with the garbage thrown on him I will be here tonight, and every night here on in. Am I disappointed? You bet But I am of the belief that the sun will shine again on my guys. I can only stay negative for just so long and then my green blood takes over. So........don't bother reading my posts, I am rambling, I know, but, this team will turn it around sooner than later, I pray

Rosalie,

+100. Thank you!

db

Rosalie,

I understand that giving up leads, missing shots, playing poor defense, players being injured, players being too old, players being too young, players being too  . . whatever, are all things that drive the discussion on this board.  Discussions are great, it is good that patterns are being seen and options to fix things are being presented.

What I find disturbing is that after a tough loss, the total lack of respect shown here to members of the Celtics, from the players down to the owners.   There are some downright nasty things being said about people in order to make one's point.  I don't even know if I am putting this properly in words, but I feel like one doesn't need to trash someone else's reputation first in order to raise up their "answer" to the problem.

I also understand that sometimes these things are said "in humor".  Sure.  

I don't know what else to say, except it is not a good look.

Go Celtics!!!

This is a fine team but it still needs quality back up depth at center and better coaching - the latter if for nothing else to demand more defensive intensity especially after running up a big lead.

Brad is no failure.  He has made significant additions to the roster.

I belive he needed to go all in to add a center

Last year we could have used another quality rotation guy.

The way I see is that you have to finish the task at hand to be a great gm, coach or player.