Since Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown took charge of the Celtics in 2019, the team has adhered to certain patterns. They consistently rack up victories, often fueled by impressive offensive performances from Brown and Tatum during the regular season. Despite occasional unexpected challenges, like their recent defeat against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Celtics still manage to secure playoff berths. Despite some nail-biting moments, they often emerge victorious in series matchups, positioning themselves for a shot at the championship. This season, it appears that the pieces are falling into place, though setbacks like the recent loss to the Cavaliers are reminders of games they should have dominated.
There’s no need to panic just yet.
The Cavaliers put up a strong fight, and despite Darius Garland’s previous struggles alongside Donovan Mitchell, the two players suddenly found their rhythm in the third quarter, hitting 7-of-10 three-pointers while the Celtics failed to make any of their attempts, going 0-for-8. As Eddie Palladino famously put it, “That’s your ballgame.”
Boston appears to have a level-headed perspective on the loss, with Jayson Tatum particularly articulating how the team has consistently rebounded from defeats throughout the season. Tatum, as reported by Jay King of The Athletic, acknowledged that external expectations often paint the Celtics as invincible, but in reality, they understand that winning every game by a wide margin is not feasible. He emphasized their resilience, pointing out that despite experiencing 16 losses this season, they have consistently bounced back and responded positively to setbacks.
The Celtics actually suffered 18 losses this season and didn’t always bounce back smoothly, evident from their four instances of consecutive defeats. This trend aligns with what was discussed earlier.
However, there’s no need to sound the alarms just yet. The remedy for this loss appears to mirror what was needed after their Game 2 loss to the Miami Heat last round. Boston simply needs to improve their shooting while also containing Donovan Mitchell’s playmaking abilities. Despite his scoring prowess, Mitchell’s facilitation kept Cleveland competitive in the first half, which was a significant factor. Moreover, if the Cavaliers return to their usual performance from beyond the arc, which is average at best, it could work in Boston’s favor.
There’s a call for greater urgency from the Celtics, as highlighted by Jaylen Brown’s remarks after the loss. Brown emphasized the importance of maintaining focus, especially in the playoffs, where missed shots should not affect defensive efforts. According to Brown, regardless of shooting struggles, the team must remain committed to defensive assignments and intensity.
Bouncing back in Game 3 shouldn’t pose a significant challenge for the Celtics. They’re a talented team, capable of recovering from setbacks, as they’ve demonstrated earlier in the postseason. Thursday’s disappointing performance appears more like an isolated incident rather than a recurring issue. While it’s not a critical blow, prolonged struggles could alter the narrative moving forward in the playoffs.
