The Celtics had their chances, but cold shooting and bad defense led to a disappointing loss against the Lakers. It’s always tough to lose to our rivals, but this one stings a bit more given how poorly we played.
From the get-go, it was clear the Celtics didn’t have the energy needed to make this the game everyone wanted to see. The first quarter was frantic and all over the place, mirroring the chaotic start to the broadcast itself, which began on TruTV before abruptly switching to TNT without warning.
The numbers tell a grim story. We shot an abysmal 10-for-26 in the restricted area - that’s 38.5%. To put that in perspective, the worst team in the NBA at the rim this season, the Charlotte Hornets, shoots 62%. How do you miss 16 out of 26 layups? It’s beyond frustrating.
These missed opportunities at the rim not only cost us points but also put immense pressure on our transition defense. Every missed layup essentially became a 5-on-4 situation for the Lakers, explaining why they seemed to always be out in transition.
Missed Opportunities
Despite our struggles, we had a chance to make it a game in the third quarter. With 7:19 left, we had cut the lead to 12. What followed was a series of missed opportunities that ultimately sealed our fate. We got stops on defense but couldn’t capitalize offensively. Missed free throws, turnovers, and an inability to convert open looks haunted us during this crucial stretch.
If we had managed to convert just a few of those chances, we could have cut the lead to single digits and put some real pressure on the Lakers. Instead, we let the opportunity slip away, and the game got out of hand in the fourth quarter.
Individual Performances
Our backcourt had a particularly rough night. Jrue Holiday and Derrick White combined for just six points, while Payton Pritchard shot 2-of-12 off the bench. You’re never going to win games with that kind of production from your guards.
Kristaps Porzingis had a decent game with 22 points, but overall, our offense just wasn’t clicking. We hunted mismatches but couldn’t consistently capitalize on them.
For more insights and a deeper dive into this game, tune into the Locked On Celtics podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Celtics Podcast:
• Analysis of the Lakers’ shooting performance
• Thoughts on the Celtics’ defensive struggles
• Looking ahead to the upcoming game against the Dallas Mavericks
