How the hell can a professional basketball team play 48 minutes and only take four free throws?
If you think I’m going to blast NBA officials, you’re wrong. This criticism is directed at the Celtics.
The 2020-2021 Boston Celtics are just not that good. We are halfway through March and this team still does not play inspired basketball on both ends of the court for long enough stretches to win games. It’s that simple.
And when we are treated to inspired basketball, it only takes one bad shot or one bad foul to reverse the momentum.
Don’t get me wrong, the Jazz are quite good. Led by Jayson Tatum (29 points, 12-24 FG) and Jaylen Brown (28 points, 12-21 FG), the Cs led for significant stretches of this game, including by two points heading into the 4th quarter. But with the game on the line late, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert executed, while the Celtics stars did not.
To be fair to the Jays, when Kemba is average (16 points), Smart lays bricks (2-10 FG), and the bench provides very little (outscored 45-24), Boston isn’t going to beat anyone good.
Remember when we thought the Celtics needed a deadline deal to compete for a championship? At 20-19 and a measly 1.5 games ahead of the 9th place Chicago Bulls, we now need a deadline deal just to stay in the playoffs.
I believe the kids call this being in your bag pic.twitter.com/2xKDUDlmK9
— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) March 16, 2021
Just an awesome pass from Robert Williams to Jaylen Brown: pic.twitter.com/u0s5KjP8UR
— Chris Grenham (@chrisgrenham) March 17, 2021
https://twitter.com/Marc_DAmico/status/1371990270355574792?s=20
Great sequence here from Jayson Tatum starting with the defense on Gobert and ending with the alley-oop to Robert Williams: pic.twitter.com/tvun7otBcq
— Chris Grenham (@chrisgrenham) March 17, 2021
#Celtics end 3Q on an 11-2 run, lead #Jazz 79-77 in a defensive-minded, tough game. Brown 15, Theis 15, RWilliams 10; Clarkson 17, Ingles 14, Mitchell 13.
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) March 17, 2021
Utah goes on a quick 10-2 run to start the fourth quarter, causing Brad Stevens to call a timeout. Weird game, in that Utah has made seven more 3s, nine more FTs and only leads by 6.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) March 17, 2021
Rudy Gobert sends it away on TNT!
87-81 UTA lead in the 4th pic.twitter.com/srTWF4OjSi
— NBA (@NBA) March 17, 2021
brrrrrrrr 🕷#TakeNote | @spidadmitchell pic.twitter.com/rnMqJqLmMk
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 17, 2021
Critical possessions for Utah net a Mitchell 3 and Gobert FTs. Critical possessions for Boston result in Smart missed 3s. Sigh.
— Chuck M. (@McK_Chuck) March 17, 2021
After tonight's loss, the Celtics are now 0-8 on the season against the NBA's five best teams in standings (Jazz, Suns, Nets, Sixers, Lakers)
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) March 17, 2021
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