Game 7 Recap: Celtics save their worst for last

I love this team. Just a gritty bunch of blossoming youngsters and gutsy players. The future is ridiculously bright for this team.

But… tonight was BRUTAL.

The Celtics offense – an Achilles heel all season long – bottomed out tonight in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics fell to the Cavaliers, 87-79, in a game that was right there for the taking.

It wasn’t just about the horrible shooting (35% FG, 18% 3 FG). It was about the lack of movement and passing. And the dribbling. Oh my god, the dribbling. This stat (from some point in the 3rd quarter) pretty much summed it up:

The Celtics are 9-39 (0-10 3-pt) when creating their own shot (shot without an assist opportunity). They are 16-31 when shooting directly off a pass.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 28, 2018

Oddly enough, the Cs had just 5 turnovers.

I love Jaylen Brown. LOVE him. But tonight he was an unmitigated disaster. Terry Rozier (2-14, 0-10 3 FG) was colder than a witch’s tit. Marcus Smart (1-10 FG) wasn’t much better.

Al Horford started great (14 points) but could muster just 3 points in the 2nd half.

Now let’s talk about JAYSON TATUM. The rook (24 points, 9-17 FG, 7 rebounds) was magnificent. And despite this gut-wrenching loss we’ll always have this moment:

OH MY GOD JAYSON TATUM JUST KILLED LEBRON JAMES AND LET HIM KNOW ABOUT IT pic.twitter.com/PlM0WXXJA0

— John Karalis 🇬🇷🇺🇦 (@John_Karalis) May 28, 2018

LeBron’s the greatest player in the history of civilization on this planet and all others. Now let’s talk about something else, ok?

This “block” by LeBron was actually a foul. And despite repeated slow-mo replays, neither Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy or Mark Jackson had the balls to mention that it was an obvious foul.

https://twitter.com/World_Wide_Wob/status/1000922514686701569

Box score

“Training camp can’t come soon enough,” – Brad Stevens in the post game presser.