Chowder and Champions
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Boston Celtics: Time for fortitude to shine through

By Jason Haskins

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 07: Patrick Williams #44 of the Chicago Bulls blocks a pass by Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics at the United Center on May 07, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 07: Patrick Williams #44 of the Chicago Bulls blocks a pass by Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics at the United Center on May 07, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics
Jaylen Brown Boston Celtics (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) /

A loss for the Boston Celtics to the Portland Trail Blazers early last week? That’s difficult to digest, but at least understandable. Losing to the Chicago Bulls for the second time this season? Not so much.

Truth be told, Boston has very little flow, even less consistency, and is stumbling towards the end of the regular season. It would help if the Celtics could trot out the same lineup and rotation every game. Unfortunately, they haven’t been and that encapsulates the possible “lost” season of 2020-21 in a nutshell.

Friday night’s loss against Chicago was more of the same by the Celtics, following the same blueprint. A decent quarter and a horrible quarter, mixed in with an average quarter. This all leads to a furious comeback, only to fall short.

In this case, it was a game that Boston trailed by as many as 21 and rallied to get it down to eight points with just over four minutes to play. Boston just as quickly yanked away hope by allowing the Bulls to outscore the Celtics 21-7 the rest of the way, en route to a 121-99 Chicago victory.

Another frustrating loss in which emotions continued to be toyed with.

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Boston Celtics: Shooting woes and more

The game was standard issue in this difficult season. At times, Boston has displayed the fortitude to rise above. They displayed this in a 132-96 victory over the Orlando Magic, taking care of business despite no Jaylen Brown or Tristan Thompson.

And its been clearly evident in victories this season over the Phoenix Suns, the Los Angeles Clippers (twice), and the Milwaukee Bucks (twice), to name a few.

Boston played well in the loss against the Trail Blazers, connecting on 21-39 from three-point range but were done in by turnovers and a Portland 8-0 run to close out the game.

Above-average shooting disappeared against the Bulls (11-39 from deep) as Brown and Robert Williams III were both out. Still, to lose to the Bulls for a second time is inexcusable, as have losses to Oklahoma City, Cleveland, and the Detroit Pistons (twice), to name a few.

This season has seen many spectacular things from Jayson Tatum, but even he, too, has been bitten by the “bad-shooting” bug on occasion. A 3-15 performance (0-7 from deep) against the Bulls was one of these and Tatum, who had averaged 30 points in the week’s two prior games, put up nine.

It was the first game since Feb. 26 against the Pacers that Tatum failed to score in double figures.

At 35-32 and in seventh place, the play-in round is a distinct possibility. With five games left, the Celtics could still finish anywhere from fourth to tenth place in the Eastern Conference. Their next two games will go a long way in determining where they land.

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