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Celtics out tuned by Jazz: Thoughts and sound off on another blown game

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 18: Mike Muscala #57 of the Boston Celtics reacts as he watches Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz sink a three point basket during the first half of their game March 18, 2023 at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 18: Mike Muscala #57 of the Boston Celtics reacts as he watches Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz sink a three point basket during the first half of their game March 18, 2023 at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images) /
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The current six-game road trip isn’t going exactly how the Boston Celtics planned.  In a trip in which the goal was to go undefeated in 6 games they should win, the C’s are now 3-2 on the trip following a 118-117 loss to the Utah Jazz Saturday night in Salt Lake City.

With the other loss on the trip coming at the hands of the lowly Houston Rockets, the Celtics continue to blow opportunities to keep that No. 1 seed in reach.  In losing to the Jazz, they have now dropped down to the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference behind the Philadelphia 76ers.

Is it just boredom or a cause for pause when it comes to the Celtics as title favorites?  That has been the debate since after the All-Star Game as the Celtics haven’t had a problem building leads no matter who is in the lineup, they just have a problem finishing teams.

Celtics continue a trend of playing down to sub .500 teams

After a nice win in Portland Friday night, the C’s had the second half of a back-to-back in hand as they led the Jazz by as many as 19 points in the game.  But the trend of allowing teams back in the game late continued as the Celtics found themselves down by 1 with five second left in the game.

In what should’ve been Jayson Tatum time ended up as Grant Williams taking the final shot and getting blocked.  Obviously, that isn’t how Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla drew up the play, but credit to the Jazz, they shielded Tatum from getting the ball.

"“They were kind of denying me the ball, and the ball’s in Grant’s hands,” Tatum said following the game, via MassLive.  “He just had the option to go (dribble hand-off) to somebody else or go attack the basket.  We have a baseline of what we’re trying to do.  But it’s all about reaction.  I don’t have an ego or anything.  I wasn’t mad Grant took that shot and didn’t pass it to me.  It’s basketball.  I want guys to play with instincts and just read the game.”"

The issue with the final play is not the fact Tatum didn’t get the last shot, it is more that the ball ended in Williams’ hand with Jaylen Brown also out there on the court.  With time ticking down, it is hard to fault Grant for not making the extra pass, but these end of game plays have too often failed for the C’s who shouldn’t be in these situations in the first place.

Sounding off on the Celtics lack of execution down the stretch

This is where the sound off comes.  Up as many as 19 in this game, the Boston Celtics have to take care of these sub .500 teams even when they have hot shooting nights.

Tatum going 0-for-4 in the second half of the game is unacceptable with the NBA playoffs right around the corner.  Going cold is one thing, but only taking 4 shots is woeful for a player who was leading the NBA MVP race.  Where is that fire, where is that urgency for this basketball team?

Yes, injuries have been a problem, but the team’s strength, which is depth, has come through and won games earlier in the season.  They need to find that mojo in the final 10 games of the season.

Next. Selecting the Boston Celtics All-Time starting lineup. dark

As far as the NBA standings go, if the Boston Celtics play the type of inspired basketball that had them on top of the league most of the season, homecourt won’t matter.  They can beat the 76ers in Philly and can beat the Bucks in Milwaukee.  The road will just be tougher if they end up as the No. 3 seed.

With the way this Celtics team plays up to a challenge, maybe the tougher road is exactly what they need to get their act together in their quest for Banner 18.

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