Chowder and Champions
Fansided

Boston Celtics: Fabled bad quarter dooms team in Game 1 loss

By Jason Haskins

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 22: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics shoots a three as Blake Griffin #2 of the Brooklyn Nets defends in the first quarter during Game One of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on May 22, 2021 at Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 22: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics shoots a three as Blake Griffin #2 of the Brooklyn Nets defends in the first quarter during Game One of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on May 22, 2021 at Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Elsa/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

A first-half of timely shooting and stealthy defense had the Boston Celtics in prime position for a Game 1 upset.

Unfortunately, efforts from the field went ice cold and a bad third quarter doomed Boston. It also hurt that the “big 3” for Brooklyn warmed up and ultimately the Celtics just didn’t have enough firepower as the Nets prevailed 104-93.

The Nets were also able to keep Jayson Tatum in check, notably in the second-half where Tatum was able to total only seven points.

Boston Celtics: 2nd-half shooting woes

In the first half, Boston wasn’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard in shooting 40.1 percent. The Celtics, however, were a solid 9-17 from three-point range while Brooklyn struggled to go 1-13.

All that turned around in the third and fourth quarters.

More from Chowder and Champions

The Celtics dipped down to 32.5 percent after halftime and were even worse from beyond the arc. Boston didn’t hit a three until Kemba Walker hit one with just under two minutes left in the game and the Celtics finished the second-half hitting 2 of 13 from deep.

Issues like this have plagued the Celtics most of the season. It’s not just the missed shots that can be irritating. It’s forcing up three-pointers early in the shot clock that simply aren’t good looks. It’s one thing to take these shots in rhythm or when open. All too often, the complete opposite happens with the Celtics and ultimately it halts momentum.

The Celtics also had eight turnovers in the second-half after only committing four in the first. While the struggles continued throughout much of the second-half, it was third quarter that saw the Nets open on a 18-4 run that doomed the Celtics.

Despite the struggles, there were positives to take away from this Game 1 loss.

Boston Celtics: Player spotlight

It was a good thing Robert Williams was active for the Celtics in Game 1 Saturday.

Williams had an inspired effort on both ends of the floor. Battling a nagging turf toe injury, the big man set a franchise playoff record with nine blocked shots Saturday night. He was active in the paint, finishing with 11 points and 9 rebounds.

The one downside to the blocked shots is that Boston often failed to recover many of them, especially in the second half. This led to multiple second opportunities for the Nets, which they converted.

Marcus Smart also deserves some mention here. Smart had 17 points and was a valuable asset in keeping the Celtics going in the first half. He, too, was also part of the problem after halftime, scoring only six points and taking a couple of unforced shots.

Smart’s offense was needed and it wasn’t all bad, especially with Walker in foul trouble and not having a good night from the floor himself, connecting on only 5 of 16 attempts.

Boston Celtics: Improvements for Game 2

Honestly, there isn’t a whole lot the Celtics can do to improve their chances at victory. They are up against a behemoth in the Nets and their “big 3” of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden. They combined for 82 of the Nets 104 points, led by Durant’s 32. His play in the third quarter was a main reason for their comeback.

The defensive pressure by Boston was mostly good, contesting shots all night and not giving the Nets many open looks. They forced the Nets into an 8-34 performance from three-point range. And while they can’t expect a repeat, Boston can use more of the same in Game 2.

Head coach Brad Stevens needs to find a way to get Tatum more open looks. The Nets did a good job of throwing multiple players and double teams at the young star all game as Tatum finished with 22 points.

It will help if Walker is on the floor more. In foul trouble, he only played 27 minutes and scored 15 points. After some early buckets, Walker was never really a factor and would have finished with single-digit points if not for scoring eight points in the final 1:56.

dark. Next. Boston Celtics: 2020-21 regular season grade

Going forward, finding a series victory — or even game victory — is going to require Tatum and Walker averaging together 55-60 points. A third scorer will need about 20 and even then, it might not be enough to upset the Nets. Tonight, however, proved that the Celtics are certainly capable. Tighten up the defense and improve the field goal percentage and they will be right there. If not, it’s going to be a quick exit and a long off season with a lot to think about.

Home/Boston Celtics