It was definitely not the ending that we wanted to see, but this is the NBA, and on any given day teams can catch you off-guard. With most of the frontcourt gone and 3 new bodies to infuse into the system, this is the most vulnerable the Celtics will probably be, and the Lakers knew it. Let’s get into what we like, and didn’t like.
Up
1. I-S-A-I-A-H T-H-O-M-A-S
Man oh man, this guy can straight up ball. Without any knowledge of our offense or defense Thomas came in and was easily our best offensive weapon. One of the most important things that really separates him is that his off the ball game is as effective as advertised. That allowed Stevens to play him and Evan Turner, our two best shot creators, in the game together. This will be huge for our offense, especially when Kelly Olynyk, and his ability to space the floor and pull bigs out of the paint, returns. Thomas finished with 21 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. We’ll get to why he wasn’t around to win us the game later.
2. Smart getting aggressive
Marcus Smart has come out the break struggling to shoot from long-range, going 2/14. However, Smart got to the line 7 times, giving him 16 total free throws over the past two games. As we all have documented, Smart has struggled to get to the paint, but it’s good to see that when his shot is struggling he is willing to take it to the hoop to get himself going. More steady improvement by the rookie.
3. Jae Crowder making his presence felt offensively
After a horrendous game against Sacramento, Crowder played aggressive, but within himself. The veteran did an excellent job defending both the 3 and 4 positions when called upon, and made his presence felt at the other end, dropping a team high 22 points shooting 8/14, and going 5/5 from the line. He also was able to grab 7 rebounds.
4. Avery Bradley keeps shooting
After one of his best games of the season against Sacramento, Bradley had another impressive 20 point night. It may have taken him 20 shots to get there, but with the Celtics searching for any type of offense, he was the one who continued to stay aggressive and look to take the big shot. That was highlighted by the game tying three at the end of regulation that capped a furious comeback. He left his prints on other aspects of the game as well, finishing with 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals to go along with his big points production.
Down
1. Tony Brothers
No one likes an official that imposes his will on the game to the point he becomes a storyline. Both teams were pegged with a bunch of ticky-tack and sometimes phantom calls in an attempt to keep the game from getting too physical. However, Celtics were hit with the biggest shots when Brothers ejected Thomas by giving him two techs for one reaction of a phantom call, then fouling out Marcus Smart after he made a great steal on Nick Young to potentially tie the game at 103. It’s also worth noting that on that play he missed a clear double-dribble and travel by Jeremy Lin which happened directly in front of his sideline. People go to NBA games to watch some of the most talented basketball players in the world go at each other every night. Nobody wins when a referee with an inflated ego decides he’s bigger than the game and disrupts the competitive nature of the game.
2. Defending the high pick and roll
The Lakers basically ran the same high pick and roll play all night, and the Celtics couldn’t stop it. Lin ended up being the main the beneficiary of that going for 25 points and 6 assists.
3. Turnovers when it counts
Though the Lakers turned the ball over one more time than the Celtics (17-16). The Celtics had 7 turnovers in the fourth quarter leading to the Lakers taking a commanding lead late in the 4th.
4. Bad loss hurts in standings
With a win the Celtics would have been half a game behind the Pacers/Pistons/Hornets who are in a 3 way tie for ninth. Instead the Celtics are a game and half behind them and two and a half games behind Brooklyn for the 8th seed. We still have ways to go, but Celtics can’t continue to lose games they are supposed to win if they have any playoff aspirations.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
