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Boston Celtics in Desperation Mode

By Jason Haskins

Apr 19, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) rests as an Atlanta Hawks player attempts a free throw in the third quarter of game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 89-72. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) rests as an Atlanta Hawks player attempts a free throw in the third quarter of game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 89-72. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Celtics; Disjointed. Flustered. Riddled with injuries.

These are only a few ways to describe the Boston Celtics one week into the start of the 2016 NBA playoffs.

Down two games to none to the Atlanta Hawks, the Celtics return home for Game 3 on Friday, desperately searching for something, anything, to keep this season from slipping away.

What went wrong from a week ago, when hopes were high and the Celtics seemed poised for a first-round victory?

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A myriad of things have slowed down Boston’s pursuit of NBA title number 18, beginning with a struggling offense that is averaging 86.5 points per game, nearly 20 less than what they averaged in the regular season.

The Celtics are only shooting 34% from the field and have committed 26 turnovers.

This only tells part of the story. The Celtics have struggled scoring in the first-half dating back to last week’s regular season finale, in which they used a dynamic second-half to defeat the Heat.

Boston had the same effort in Game 1, though this time it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.

Rock bottom arrived in Game 2 when the Celtics put up seven points–that’s right, seven–in the first quarter against the Hawks. The team could do nary a thing right, as they missed shots, turned the ball over and were largely ineffective.

Nowhere to go but up, right?

There is hope, as Amir Johnson showed signs of an inside game for Boston, bringing energy to the game and scoring 14 points and pulling down 8 rebounds in 21 minutes of play.

And Isaiah Thomas, despite his struggles, is still averaging 21.5 points per game in doing his best to will Boston to victory.

Thomas might be trying to overcompensate for the injuries that have bedeviled the Celtics.

Top perimeter defender and second-leading scorer Avery Bradley injured his hamstring in Game 1 and is most likely finished for the rest of round 1.

Kelly Olynyk, who had been playing well as of late, injured his shoulder and appears to be a game-time decision on Friday, as is Marcus Smart and his bruised rib.

The Hawks have had the Celtics number this year, defeating them five times in six games, with Boston’s only victory coming way back in November. In those games, Atlanta has outscored Boston by an average of 105.3 to 97.3.

A sense of urgency will be needed on Friday for the Celtics to win and avoid the dreaded 0-3 hole. The good news is that the TD Garden has treated Boston well this year as the Celtics went 28-13 at home.

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Wounded, but still standing. Struggling, but still fighting. It has been the way of the Celtics this season and they aren’t going to give up now. The playoffs always require another gear and Boston needs to find it. If going into desperation mode is what’s required so be it. The Celtics need a spark and perhaps desperation is just what the doctor ordered.

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