Antoine Walker joins Jones & Mego, defends Joe Mazzulla
The Celtics entered Game 2 with a heavy emphasis on paying attention to details and staying disciplined. That was something both head coach Joe Mazzulla and Robert Williams highlighted following the team’s practice session Thursday afternoon.
“You have to understand the details are the most important thing,” Mazzulla said. “This series is a test of discipline, a test of mentality, and we gotta be extremely detailed in our effort and our consistency.”
Despite the increased awareness of the details and discipline, the Celtics couldn’t get out of their own way again in Game 2, as it was those two areas that cost Boston a 111-105 loss, especially in the fourth quarter.
Led by Jayson Tatum, who finished the night with team highs in points (34), rebounds (13) and assists (8), Boston was able to jump out to a 12-point lead with 10:35 remaining in the fourth quarter. Miami would close the game on a 34-16 run and stun the Celtics for a second straight game, sending the series to South Beach with Boston in an 0-2 hole.
How did Boston get in this position? Let’s take a look:
Turnovers
You cannot overstate how important the turnover battle is in this series. After finishing with 15 turnovers in Game 1, Boston posted yet another 15 turnovers in Game 2. Boston’s 15 turnovers resulted in 20 points for the Heat on Friday night. In the fourth quarter alone, Boston turned the ball over four times, which resulted in nine points for Miami. Two of the Celtics’ turnovers came in the final four minutes, when they were trailing by four points.
“Some of the turnovers were unfortunate,” Mazzulla said postgame.
The only thing unfortunate about them is the timing and the excessive volume. The C's now have six games this postseason in which they have turned the ball over at least 15 times, and they are 3-3 in those contests.
It was an issue all last postseason, and it’s plaguing Boston again this postseason. Boston is the more talented team, but they give Miami life when they continuously hand the ball over.
Late game fouling
Another way you let a less talented team hang around is you send them to the free-throw line. Miami spent the final 6:22 of the fourth quarter in the bonus due to some sloppy off-ball and offensive fouls from the Celtics.
Miami shot 11 free throws in the fourth quarter, as they cashed in on Boston’s mistakes.
“If you have turnovers and offensive fouls, you're clearly not making the right play,” Mazzulla said postgame.
In total, Miami scored 19 points in the fourth quarter off turnovers and free throws, while Boston as a team scored just 22 points total.
Offensive rebounds
Miami grabbed a total of 11 offensive rebounds in Game 2, resulting in 16 second-chance points. The Heat snagged four offensive rebounds in the fourth quarter alone, while Boston only grabbed four rebounds total in the final frame.
Though Miami only scored two second-chance points in the fourth quarter, they could not have come at a better time for the Heat.
The rebound battle is where games have been won and lost for the Celtics this postseason. Boston is 7-2 this postseason when they out-rebound their opponent and 1-4 when they are out-rebounded.
Boston was out-rebounded 45-35 in Game 2, as they have lost the rebound battle in both games so far to Miami.
Gone cold in the closing minutes
Miami switched to a zone in the fourth quarter and Boston had no answer for it. Boston totaled just 22 fourth-quarter points on 7-of-18 (38.9%) shooting from the floor, including 1-of-8 (12.5%) from deep.
Boston’s leading scorers in the fourth quarter were Robert Williams, who inexcusably played just 4:33 in the fourth quarter, and Grant Williams. The two scored seven points apiece and combined for 14 of Boston’s 22 fourth-quarter points.
Considering Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are on this roster, this cannot happen. Boston needs their stars to show up come closing time and they have failed to meet that expectation in these two losses to Miami.
The Jays combined for just eight points in the fourth quarter on an abysmal 1-of-8 (12.5%) shooting from the floor. When the Jays struggle, Boston’s offense struggles, which is to be expected.
In the final 6:36 of the game, Boston shot just 2-of-10, with the Jays combining to shoot 0-for-5. Boston registered more turnovers (3) than made baskets (2).
All comes back to discipline
All of these issues come back to one thing– lack of discipline.
“It comes down to the details,” Mazzulla said postgame. “This is a series of discipline and mindset, and there were times throughout the game we weren’t the more disciplined team.”
Now the Celtics find themselves in a really deep hole, as they trail 0-2. Only 33 teams in NBA history have overcome an 0-2 series deficit. Though Boston has done it twice in their franchise history (1969 NBA Finals vs. Lakers and 2017 first round vs. Bulls), this is far from an ideal situation.
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