For 2 consecutive collection, the Celtics dropped Recreation 2 simply days after blowing out their opponent in Recreation 1.
Within the first spherical, it was Miami going for a franchise-record 23 three-pointers that led to a double-digit loss.
This time, it was Cleveland that exploded offensively, scoring their most factors in a playoff recreation (118 factors) since 2018.
Joe Mazzulla didn’t have a lot to say on the podium after the Celtics 28-point defeat, however he did reiterate an analogous speaking level from the Recreation 2 loss towards Miami: successful playoff video games isn’t supposed simple.
“It’s a playoff collection towards a extremely good staff [and] actually good gamers,” Mazzulla stated. “Effectively-coached. So, yeah. I anticipate it — like I stated earlier than, it takes what it takes. I anticipate it to be tough.”
And whereas Cleveland didn’t look like probably the most formidable of opponents in Recreation 1, a number of Cavs gamers have been elite in Recreation 2. Donovan Mitchell had 29 factors (10-19 FG), 8 assists, and seven rebounds, exploding for 16 factors within the third quarter. Evan Mobley was dominant from the leap, including 21 factors on 9-15 capturing, together with 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. Even Darius Garland, who’s had a tough postseason run, added an environment friendly 14 factors on 4 of 5 from downtown.
Jaylen Brown was vocally annoyed in his postgame presser, calling out the Celtics’ “unacceptable” defensive efficiency. Cleveland shot 54.7% from the sphere and 46.4% from three – with no Cavaliers participant capturing under 50% from the sphere.
In addition they out-rebounded the Celtics 44 to 31, regardless of being with out Jarrett Allen for the third consecutive recreation.
“It’s the playoffs,” Brown stated. “That may’t occur. I don’t care if – should you’re lacking photographs, you gotta guard a man on the opposite finish.”
However Brown made clear the Celtics wouldn’t wallow within the Recreation 2 efficiency for too lengthy.
“You study from it,” Brown stated. “Take it on the chin. You study from it and are available out and put your greatest foot ahead for the following recreation. Clearly, this was an unacceptable efficiency, and we have to be prepared to reply.”
Jayson Tatum completed with 25 factors on 7 of 17 capturing, persevering with his postseason capturing struggles. However he stated that whereas there’s numerous noise following Celtics losses, the locker room is trying ahead to turning the web page.
“No person was in there defeated, deflated,” Tatum stated. “I imply, [we] by no means need to lose, particularly within the playoffs – lot of issues we will study from. World thinks we’re by no means alleged to lose and we’re alleged to win each recreation by 25. And it’s simply not gonna be like that on a regular basis. We don’t anticipate it to be simple.”
Jayson Tatum didn’t make any comparisons between the 2 Recreation 2 losses:
“That collection is behind us. So, I’m not fascinated about that in any respect. , all of them rely the identical whether or not we misplaced by 3 or misplaced by 25. So, get this one behind us, watch movie, and prepare for Saturday.”” pic.twitter.com/r9vjSJwU5i
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzellNBA) Could 10, 2024
Tomorrow, the Celtics will research what went fallacious on Thursday evening, and journey to Cleveland. On Saturday, they’ll play in a pivotal Recreation 3, and Mazzulla has made it some extent all 12 months to notice that the mindset getting into a recreation doesn’t change, no matter whether or not the Celtics are coming off of a win or a loss.
“You deal with it the identical manner you’ll a win,” Mazzulla stated. “Are available in tomorrow, you watch the movie, and get higher for Recreation 3.”
This one was notably brutal in that the Celtics finally fell behind by 28 factors. However Tatum stated the purpose differential doesn’t matter — solely the ultimate final result does.
“All of them rely the identical whether or not we misplaced by 3 or misplaced by 25,” Tatum stated. “So, get this one behind us, watch movie, and prepare for Saturday.”
Al Horford didn’t need to give any definitive statements about what went fallacious within the recreation earlier than getting the prospect to observe movie. However he expressed confidence that the Celtics will bounce again, simply as they did after the Recreation 2 loss to Miami. In each Recreation 2s, the Celtics have been out-hustled and out-executed.
Towards Miami, they responded with three consecutive blowout losses to shut issues out. Doing so towards Cleveland will likely be more difficult, however this Celtics staff has proven all 12 months it bounces again properly from losses — that’s how they ended up with a league greatest 64-18 file, and misplaced consecutive video games solely 3 times.
“We’ll look into it and we’ll see how we might be higher, study from it,” Horford stated by way of CLNS Media. “That’s what we did the final time, and we’ve to grasp that we’re going into Saturday right into a hostile place. It’s going to be a battle. We simply need to ensure that we’re at our greatest and I’m assured we’ll be able to go.”
