Boston Celtics: Takeaways from Loss to Indiana Pacers
By Andrew Fine
No Deep Ball
Nov 11, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reacts to a foul call during the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
The Celtics could not buy a bucket from 3-point range. The team shot 4/24 (16.7%) from behind the arc compared to Indiana’s steady 6/17 (35.3%). This was the second straight game that the Celtics struggled from deep. In Tuesday’s win over the Bucks, the Celtics shot only 23.3% from behind the arc.
Isaiah Thomas, who is usually a reliable 3-point shooter, has missed 12 out of his last 14 attempts from long range. The Celtics were able to get plenty of wide-open looks, but tonight barely any of the shots fell. It could either be one of those nights or a hint that there is a greater issue.
Currently the Celtics rank 6th in the NBA in 3-point attempts per game (27.1), yet are only 27th in 3-point percentage (28.4). The team has plenty of players who are capable of shooting the long ball, but repeated misses and poor shooting kills the momentum.
The Celtics were down Avery Bradley, who is easily one of the team’s better outside shooters. Hopefully getting Bradley back will help improve the team’s dreadful 3-point shooting.
Next: Takeaway Number Three