Three issues from Celtics-Hawks – CelticsBlog

Regardless of blowing a 30-point lead, the Boston Celtics’ loss to the Atlanta Hawks means nothing all the identical — a minimum of within the grand scheme of issues.

Nonetheless, it once more raises questions on their late-game offense, however exterior of that, there isn’t a lot to remove. The Celtics took their foot off the gasoline and stopped enjoying at full drive, and it caught as much as them. However the one seed is locked up, and now they’re simply coasting to the playoffs.

That mentioned, shedding brings some much less enjoyable issues to speak about.

1. Lacking Porzingis

This can’t occur.

The Celtics have been making these passes all season. The principle purpose they introduced Kristaps Porzingis into the fold was to unfold out opposing defenses.

That doesn’t work once they aren’t making the most of the house he makes for himself.

Because the Celtics have been floundering within the third quarter, Porzingis discovered himself open above the three-point line, and Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown failed to seek out him.

Even when Bogdan Bogdanovic would have closed out in time on the second shot, Porzingis might have swung it to the nook to Payton Pritchard.

As an alternative, Tatum and Brown settled for contested photographs that each missed, and Porzingis was ignored to dry like a greatest good friend whose high-five try wasn’t seen.

2. Tatum eight-second violation

Tatum had a fairly nice sport. He was aggressive when he wanted to be, he (principally) made stable passes, and he attacked effectively on the finish of the sport reasonably than taking step-back threes.

However this was dangerous.

This isn’t a distinct segment play, however contemplating the grand scope of the sport and Boston’s last jiffy of lackluster play, it could be forgotten about.

At this level, the Hawks had mounted a 30-point comeback. The Celtics have been up by only a single level with lower than 9 minutes within the sport. And he dribbled the ball up the ground too slowly?

Errors occur. Mind farts occur. This was simply the worst doable time for it to happen.

3. Sam Hauser gravity

Ending on a constructive observe, this play from Sam Hauser was fairly enjoyable to observe unfold.

Perhaps it was simply dangerous protection by Garrison Matthews, however Hauser’s capturing potential deserves a number of the credit score.

Due to how deadly Hauser is from past the arc (besides on this sport), Matthews overreacts to his motion off the ball, anticipating him operating across the Porzingis display screen.

As an alternative, Hauser shifts his momentum, cuts into the paint, and brings two defenders with him for a quick second. Had Al Horford acknowledged this faster, Porzingis’ three would have been way more open.