The Celtics Once Again Had Another Opportunity For A Big Momentum Win And Once Again They Failed Miserably

Adam Glanzman. Getty Images.

Heading into this game I talked about what a big opportunity it was as this team continues to try and climb themselves out of this hole of mediocrity. At some point, you have to start winning games like last night. I understand the Celts were without two starters, I understand that the Hornets were at full strength. I still don't really care. My tune doesn't suddenly change because the Celts lost this game. I won't sit here and now tell you that eh, it wasn't that big of deal. No no, it was absolutely a big game. For starters, you were chasing CHA in the standings and could have gotten as close as 0.5 behind them. Now, they sit 2.5 back. It would have guaranteed at least a split in the H2H series which could matter come Spring, and you were at home. While the Celts have been better since the calendar flipped to 2022, they are still struggling to put together that string of big momentum wins. They were looking to go 2 games over .500 for only the 3rd time this season. They've never been able to even get to 3 games over .500 at any point in the season. No matter how you want to dress that up, the reality of that situation is very bad. Pathetic even. 

On a night where they were shorthanded and facing a good team, the Celts needed their two best players to rise to the occasion and carry them. We needed one of those "no way I'm letting us lose" type of performances. We've seen them before, so I don't really consider that all that crazy of an ask. Sadly, that did not happen. In fact, the opposite happened. You could make the case the Celts played without Rob, Marcus, and Jayson in this game. That wasn't great. 

Instead what we got was a team that did everything we as fans know they shouldn't do. Their coach made very questionable rotation/strategy decisions. They were careless. Essentially, they played losing basketball. They may have been bailed out against the Bulls and pulled one out of their ass against the Pelicans playing this way, but more often than not when you play like the Celts did last night, this result is what you're going to get. You're going to lose. 

Big picture, the Celts actually moved up a spot last night. They trail WSH by 0.5 for the 8th spot and guess who comes up next. So, while last night could have been even worse, the Cavs, Wizards, and Raptors all losing lessened the blow. It doesn't excuse what we saw the Celts do, but their overall standing didn't really change. Their ability to climb still exists, but it will require them to not play like assholes. That, we can't guarantee.

With that said, let us begin

The Good

- Even if you sort of throw out his last 2 made threes with the game pretty much over, I still thought Dennis was very solid in this game. On a night where someone had to step up and be a consistent secondary scorer, that's exactly what Dennis did and he did it in an efficient manner

It was Dennis' offense that kept the Celts in this game early. When both Tatum and Brown couldn't throw a pea in the ocean, Dennis stepped up. He had 8 points on 3-5 in the first quarter with 3 assists and only 1 TO. He backed that up with another 50% shooting effort in the second quarter as well. In the second half, he finished 4-7. 

Now he had all sorts of problems on the other end which we'll get to, but overall I thought his night was solid. He did exactly what his role asked him to do. I wonder what this stretch of solid play (outside the PHI game) is doing for his trade market. Given his cost and the fact that there are plenty of point guard needing teams right now, I'm not sure Dennis' value will ever be higher. While part of me at times feels like this roster needs his production and they should just ride this season out, the logical side of me knows they can't just sit on this asset and have it leave for nothing. Even if all you get is a late 1st or something, that's a situation you have to consider as you continue to build forward. I think everyone sort of knew the deal heading into this season. Dennis knew he would get an opportunity to showcase, the Celts knew they were getting a hired gun that wasn't going to be part of their future. We've now reached the part of that agreement where everyone could now get what they want. Maybe Dennis goes to a team where he could start, Celts get back an asset for the future/different need. If he keeps playing like this, there should be a market for him.

- Remember in the last blog where I started to wonder if Al was beginning to find his shot again? Well, I'm starting to become even more intrigued. Al finished with a solid 13/10/4 on 5-7 shooting (2-4 from deep) in his 31 minutes. Over his last 4 games Al has recovered a little bit with 11/6.8//2.8 averages on 59/40% splits. Not bad!

The big part is making the open looks, especially from deep. That's where he's really struggled this season, but last night he was a solid 2-4 on his "wide open" threes. He even made a big one from the corner in the fourth quarter while the Celts were still making a push and the game was in balance. It's not exactly rocket science to know how important it is for this offense for Al to knock down his open looks and be that safety valve. I'm not saying the offense needs to run through him or anything, but I'm also suggesting that maybe on nights where nobody can seem to shoot, give the guy that is actually shooting well some more looks. Only 7 FGA is far too low in a game where the entire team outside of Dennis is shooting like dogshit.

- I considered putting Jaylen here because his second half was pretty good. 50% shooting and 6 assists with only 1 TO. But I have to be firm. I didn't love his approach for the most part in this game, and his defense left more to be desired. As a leader on this team, he has to be better, so let's move on.

The Bad

- Man, where to begin. I feel like I begin this section the same way in every one of these blogs because honestly there is so much to choose from. Most of these games play out the same so that's why you might feel like you've read this before. I say let's begin with how careless this team was to start the game off. Nothing like committing 5 TOs in the opening quarter. That's how you give a good team confidence, the Hornets shot 55% in that first quarter and the Celts allowed them to hang around. Name a time that has worked out for them in the past. 

Every time we see one of these games unfold, it all starts with the same issue. Careless turnovers. How many first quarters are we going to see where this team has 5+ giveaways in 12 minutes? Last night they had 4 turnovers in the first 5 minutes! It's so infuriating because these are self inflicted wounds. It's losing basketball. This team loves to make things harder on themselves and the only issue with that is their offense is so insanely inconsistent that it's not like these turnovers don't matter. If anything, they are 2x as painful. It didn't take long to see why.

- Right on cue, after a first quarter where the Celts own carelessness prevented them from getting separation, they followed it up with the classic 2nd quarter collapse. You know what I'm talking about. It's part of the script to every one of these bad losses. See for yourself

You've seen a 2nd quarter like that a whole lot this season. It was also a nice glimpse into the approach that would ultimately be their undoing. Over half of their 2nd quarter FGA were 3PA. They shot 26%. On a team that had only a goddamn Plumlee in the paint, the Celts refused to do anything other than shoot threes. God is that frustrating. So what happened? They went cold like they usually do, the Hornets got momentum and that was that. Game over. The Hornets took the lead at 45-43 with 4:39 left in the 2nd quarter and the Celts never even tied it the rest of the way.

In fact, they scored just 5 points over the final 5:32. Another massive scoring drought in the second quarter. I know everyone was quick to pump their chest that the Celts were winning games without Smart, but we're seeing what not having his playmaking ability does to this offense. That's not to say those same things didn't happen when he was in the lineup, but they desperately needed someone to step up and be a pass first player to help get more efficient looks. Look at that starting group. Al was the only one with an assist in that quarter. That cannot happen. 

- I'm sorry, but if Enes is on the floor I'm going to need him to grab this rebound

I mean come on. Yeah the Hornets went on to miss their three, but that's not the point. You're trying to put a run together, it's the fourth quarter. You let the ball….touch the ground? Inexcusable. 

- Let's talk about Ime. Not a great night from him in a few different areas. As you probably know, when it comes to the coach, I really only care about two things. Rotations and strategy. People get all bent out of shape about "motivating" players when they stink, but that's letting the players off the hook in my opinion. We have actual tangible things to criticize Ime on, so let's focus on that. With his rotations, there was one glaring mistake I thought Ime made.

Because of foul trouble to Grant, Ime decided to start the second half with a lineup of Dennis/Jaylen/Tatum/Enes/Al. My question is why. The Hornets don't play big. They play small and they play fast. You had a first half where Romeo actually showed signs of life. So, why not start him and move Tatum to the 4? Instead Ime went with Enes, and this is how that lineup performed in the second half

4 minutes / 88 Ortg / 111 Drtg / -22 net rating

Not only are those numbers bad, but the team also didn't rebound! They had two centers on the floor and couldn't grab a defensive rebound to save their lives. That's horrendous. 

So they didn't punish the Hornets with inside offense because all they did was shoot threes, they didn't defend, and they didn't rebound. So why is Enes on the floor? Especially when you have options to play smaller and match up better with the Hornets speed and shooting? Can't say this was one of Ime's better decisions.

Next, the strategy. What was it? Was the plan to do nothing but shoot threes? Was the idea that maybe water would find its level despite never finding its level at any point this season? Remember this quote

Yes! Call a play! It's obvious that when this team is allowed to freelance their offense, all they do is settle for bad shots. So which was it? Was what we saw last night the actual offensive strategy, or did Ime not run anything and just allowed the guys to do what they wanted? Or, did he want something and they ignored it? Those are basically your options, none of which I find all that great. Once you get to the 4th quarter, you'll see what I mean by this. 

- Tough night in the battle of second units. Hornets group put up 35 points on 13-28 shooting with the Celts group only mustering up 26 points on 9-22 (3-11). A 9 point difference in a 9 pointloss.

- That's not it though. Let's talk about that lack of rebounding. Grant only had 2 rebounds in 24 minutes. Enes only had 3 rebounds in nearly 20 minutes. They allowed the Hornets to grab 11 OREB and score 18 second chance points. They won that battle 18-9. A deficit of 9. In a 9 point win. Seems important. 

- Second half defense continues to be a big time issue for this team. The season long numbers confirm it. They have a 110 Drtg (21st) in the final 24 minutes compared to a 104.7 (5th) rating in the first half. Opponents average 53 points in the second half against the Celts compared to 51 points in the first. That first half number is the fewest in the NBA. Last night, it was more of the same. The Hornets finished with 55 points on 45.7/47.8% splits with 11 3PM in the second half. There was no resistance defensively on any level. Didn't guard the three point line, didn't guard the paint or the rim, and it's why they never were able to get over the hump. Every time they got close over the final 24 minutes, they immediately gave up buckets.

We all know the defense is going to be inconsistent. What can't be is their effort and execution on the defensive end. Especially in the second half of games. That's been an ugly trend all season long.

The Ugly

- I'm not sure where else to put Jayson Tatum. I mean, he was horrendous. That's OK to say. It doesn't mean he sucks. It doesn't mean he isn't a building block or whatever people like to do after a game like this. It just means he was hot garbage in a game his team desperately needed him to find a way to only be slightly below average. The shooting numbers are gross, he finished just 5-19 (0-7), he was 0-4 on his "wide open" threes, he missed layups, he turned the ball over, and I thought he let the officials get into his head early.

Normally when Tatum has an off shooting night, he finds a way to impact other areas. That is not what we got last night. It's also not a coincidence that a whole bunch of these type of Celts losses are coming on nights where Tatum shoots 5-19. Like we all know this team needs shooting. We all know there are other contributing factors to losses. But if Tatum is going to shoot like this, nothing else really matters. Doesn't matter what shooter you bring in. It's not like he was forced to take a bunch of contested shots due to a lack of spacing. He was missing all of his WIDE OPEN looks. This is a season long issue for whatever reason. New ball, new rules, tired legs, who knows. What I do know is this team cannot win when Tatum doesn't show up. Full roster, missing guys, doesn't matter. 

- Then you factor in Jaylen's 2-11 from three, and yeah. No kidding this team lost. Their two best players combined to go 2-18 from three. 2-18! Just be below average and you win this game! That's what is so maddening. All I am asking is that they don't shoot 2-18. A simple 5-18 does the trick. That's not even good! 

- As a team, the Celts finished 14-46 which got them slightly over 30% at 30.4%, but that's deceiving. That factors in late threes when the game was over. When the game was in balance, they were sub 30%. Again. The Hornets snapped out of their early game shooting funk and finished with 16 3PM. There's your ballgame.

- But that 4th quarter, my god. I honestly feel like we're being trolled as fans. How else can you explain this?

16 of their 24 FGA were threes. In a game where they could not make a three to save their lives. I don't understand. Thing is, this wasn't even the worst part. When you look closer at how this quarter unfolded, it's even more enraging. Romeo Langford was fouled at the 8:40 mark to put the Celts in the bonus. The score was 88-84. They were actually doing what we all hoped! They were aggressive, they were cutting into the lead, things looked like maybe they wouldn't be a complete disaster.

Ha, you fucking idiot Dan. Remember who this team is.

From that 8:40 mark on, the Celtics did not attempt another FT. Of all their FGA over those final 8:40, only 4 of them were not 3PA. FOUR!! So again, I ask what the strategy here was. Did nobody know they were in the bonus? Why were there no sort of plays or plan to attack the rim with the Hornets only having one big? After all the film we have of this exact type of performance and how it loses games, where are the adjustments?

Part of that is on the players, but part of that is also on Ime. Under no circumstances should 66% of this teams FGA be from three on a night they are shooting sub 30%. Especially when you clawed back to make it a 4 point game with 8 minutes left and are in the bonus! I feel like this is something you learn when you are like 10 years old. Look at those FGA. 2 of Tatum's 5 were threes. Both Horford's were threes. 3 of the 4 for Jaylen were threes. All of Dennis' were threes. 4 of 5 for JRich were threes the list goes on and on.

WHAT IS THAT?!?!?!?

I'll tell you what. It's losing basketball. It's a display of a group that has no fucking idea what to do in the last quarter of a game other than shoot homerun threes. Even when they didn't have to! We had Grant passing up wide open layups so he could hit Tatum in the corner for a three, which he missed. Why not just take the points, trim the lead to put pressure on CHA, and then play some defense? 

On a night where the Celts could have made a statement and continued their positive momentum, they choked. They failed to seize that opportunity. That's been the story all year. So while they still have the rest of this month and a favorable schedule, it remains a fact that we in no way can trust they will actually take care of their own business. Because as we know, the only consistent thing about this team is their inconsistency.