The Boston Celtics faced a challenging game against the Golden State Warriors, ending in a 118-112 loss. Despite the setback, there’s no need for panic. The Celtics are still in a strong position with a 7-2 record, mirroring last season’s start. Let’s dive into what went down.
Physicality and Rebounding Woes
The Warriors came out swinging, hitting the Celtics hard with their physical defense. It was clear from the start that Boston struggled to match Golden State’s intensity. Brian Scalabrine noted that the Celtics seemed unprepared for the Warriors’ aggressive approach, and he’s right. This physicality threw off Jayson Tatum, who found himself frustrated and out of rhythm. Tatum’s struggles were evident in the first half, where he shot just 2 of 7 and committed four turnovers. The Warriors’ defense was relentless, daring the referees to call every foul, which they didn’t, leaving the Celtics flustered.
Rebounding was another critical issue. The Celtics managed only one offensive rebound in the first half compared to the Warriors’ six. This disparity allowed Golden State to build a lead that Boston couldn’t quite overcome. Although the Celtics rallied in the third quarter with a strong offensive rebounding effort, they couldn’t maintain it in the fourth, allowing the Warriors to capitalize on second-chance opportunities.
Derrick White Shines Amidst Struggles
Amidst the chaos, White stood out with a commendable performance. He was hot in the first and third quarters, showcasing his ability to step up when needed. However, Tatum’s frustration was palpable, especially when he took a contested 22-foot shot that he typically avoids. This shot symbolized the Celtics’ struggles to find their rhythm against a well-prepared Warriors team.
Despite the loss, there’s no reason to hit the panic button. The Celtics were without Kristaps Porzingis and Jaylen Brown, who obviously would have made a significant difference. Brown’s absence was particularly felt, as the bench struggled to provide the necessary support. Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser had their moments, but it wasn’t enough to counter the Warriors’ bench, which contributed 49 points.
The Celtics’ loss to the Warriors is a learning opportunity. They need to be better prepared for physical matchups and improve their rebounding efforts. But with a strong start to the season and key players returning soon, there’s plenty of reason for optimism.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Celtics’ performance, tune into the Locked On Celtics podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Celtics Podcast:
- Analysis of the Celtics’ bench performance
- A look at the Warriors’ defensive strategy
- Why the Celtics just don’t buy into drama
