A Wake-Up Call for the Celtics
The Boston Celtics’ loss to the Atlanta Hawks was a glaring example of what happens when effort is lacking. Despite the Hawks missing key players like Trae Young, the Celtics failed to capitalize, resulting in a disappointing 117-116 loss. This isn’t the first time the Celtics have stumbled against a Young-less Hawks team, and it’s becoming a pattern that needs addressing.
The Celtics seemed to underestimate the Hawks, who, without Young, played a more cohesive and competitive game. The Hawks exploited the Celtics’ defensive switches, particularly targeting smaller guards like Derrick White. This strategy paid off, with players like Onyeka Okongwu and Clint Capela dominating in the paint. The Celtics’ inability to adjust and counter these tactics was evident, and it cost them dearly.
Offensive Rebounds and Turnovers: The Celtics’ Achilles Heel
One of the most frustrating aspects of the game was the Celtics’ struggle with offensive rebounds and turnovers. Allowing 20 offensive rebounds and committing 20 turnovers is a recipe for disaster. These mistakes negated the Celtics’ advantages in three-point shooting and free throws, where they outperformed the Hawks significantly.
Despite shooting 40% from beyond the arc and having a 15-point advantage at the free-throw line, the Celtics couldn’t seal the deal. The Hawks capitalized on the Celtics’ errors, scoring 12 more field goals and dominating the paint with 68 points. This disparity in points in the paint highlights a critical area where the Celtics need to improve.
The Celtics’ lack of effort was palpable, and it was clear they expected an easy win. Jaylen Brown admitted post-game that the team came in expecting to win without putting in the necessary work. This mindset is dangerous and could lead to more losses if not corrected.
A Call for Consistency
Coach Joe Mazzulla’s approach of letting the team play through struggles without burning timeouts early is commendable, but it requires the players to step up and show consistent effort. The Celtics have had slow starts in recent games, and this trend needs to be reversed. They can’t afford to let complacency set in, especially against teams they should be beating.
The loss to the Hawks serves as a reminder that no game in the NBA is a guaranteed win. The Celtics need to focus on their fundamentals, like boxing out and protecting the ball, to avoid giving opponents easy opportunities. This game should be a wake-up call for the team to bring their A-game every night, regardless of the opponent.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Celtics’ performance and what needs to change, tune into the Locked On Celtics podcast for this and much more.
Also in Today’s Locked On Celtics Podcast:
- Field goal attempts tell the story
- Why the Celtics lost the math battle
- C’s clearly don’t care about the Emirates NBA Cup
