The Celtics have been in some impossible spots throughout 2021-22, but this one takes the cake. Two games left in the NBA Finals, and they have to win both of them after losing Game 5, 104-94, on Monday.
Once again, the Celtics were their own worst enemy in a playoff loss. Their shooting was an issue in the first half, but that paled in comparison to their two larger problems.
Boston was embarrassingly bad at the free-throw line, finishing 21-for-31 from the stripe. In a game they lost by 10, they left 10 at the line. Couple that with the fact the Celtics once again failed to take care of the ball, and it's remarkable they ever worked their way back into Game 5. Nine turnovers in the first half, nine in the second half. Tough to win a game against anyone when you turn the ball over 18 times, never mind a championship-level team.
The worst part about it all: Golden State won without Steph Curry making a 3-pointer. Boston did some great work on defense, but that doesn't happen to Curry. Can't squander an 0-for-9 performance from the greatest 3-pointer shooter in the history of the game. The Celtics did just that, and now they're down 3-2 to the Warriors as a result.
