Heading into Thursday night, it seemed the Celtics, with their full rotation at hand, were approaching the game as a dress rehearsal.
Given the sharp contrast between Thursday night’s game against a Knicks team trailing just 1.5 games behind the Milwaukee Bucks for the Eastern Conference’s top seed and the looming matchups against the 20-60 Charlotte Hornets and the 15-65 Washington Wizards to close the season this weekend, it was logical to view this game as a final test.
If the Celtics’ performance were likened to any “rehearsal,” it might resemble stumbling into a graduation rehearsal still feeling the effects of a heavy night before, as the Knicks cruised to a 118-109 victory.
Just like someone in dire need of a pick-me-up during a rehearsal, the Celtics are desperately craving playoff basketball.
The reality of meaningless games is starting to sink in for the Celtics, who clinched the number one seed in the Eastern Conference weeks ago. Much like Tuesday night in Milwaukee, one thing was glaringly obvious Thursday night at TD Garden: One team cared. The other didn’t.
“I saw that there was only one team in the Eastern Conference that has their seed settled, and nobody else does,” Joe Mazzulla said on the effort-level postgame. “I saw a high level of desperacy.”
The contrast was evident from the start. New York set the tone in the physicality department, while the Celtics were just focused on getting through a full 48 minutes healthy.
Courtesy of their three-point shooting, Boston was able to hang around until the second quarter, but when their shots from beyond the arc started to miss, their effort level took a nosedive, plummeting to near-zero.
This reality was exemplified when Donte DiVincenzo penetrated the lane, drawing two defenders before dishing the ball out to an unguarded OG Anunoby for a wide-open three-pointer. While Anunoby geared up to take the shot, Jayson Tatum stood motionless, a clear illustration of the Celtics’ waning effort.
That triple was part of a 22-3 New York over the final 6:28 of the second quarter that turned a two-point game into a 21-point game. Boston failed to record a field goal over that stretch, with all of their points coming at the line.
“I did not like the effort level in the first half,” Mazzulla said postgame. “I think it’s just a tough spot to be in, you know? I think our guys have handled that as best as they could. We ran into our last two games against two that are highly, highly desperate. And as much as we want to be able to simulate that, that’s just not the position that we’re in.”
It is indeed a tough spot to be in. It feels like it’s been months since the Celtics last played a game that truly mattered, and they’re feeling the weight of that realization.
“It is a tough position to be in, but we asked for it,” Tatum added. “We do gotta be better.”
The reality is these losses only impact Boston’s historic net rating and point differential numbers and the people who bought tickets and weren’t necessarily treated to the “Celtics experience.” They made their voices heard Thursday night as the starters headed for the bench with 47.4 seconds remaining in the third quarter and facing a 29-point deficit.
“We got booed for a reason,” Kristaps Porzingis said postgame. “This is not the team that our fans love. This wasn’t that display. But, you best believe we’re going to show up when we need to.”
It isn’t uncommon for teams to sleepwalk a bit at the end of the season. The Denver Nuggets were 9-10 in their final 19 games of the season. The 2021-22 Golden State Warriors were 10-11 in their last 21, and the 2017-18 Warriors were 7-8 in their last 15. Additionally, the 2018-19 Raptors were 9-8 in March.
Of the last six champions, only the bubble Lakers, whose season was interrupted and finished under unique circumstances, and the 2020-21 Milwaukee Bucks stand as exceptions.
For a team that’s built their success upon the principle of “mindset,” there’s no need to overanalyze these apparent “struggles.” Simply put, these games are meaningless, to the extent that the Celtics have hardly bothered with offensive sets. Perhaps as a deliberate effort to withhold their strategies for the postseason.
“I know the character of our guys,” Mazzulla said. “I know how our guys are. I’m not concerned about it by any means.”
“If I had to bet, I would say we will show up at the level we need to show up. But it’s on us,” Porzingis added. “I don’t think it’s a habit for us.”
It’s evident that Boston’s primary focus is on maintaining player health, and rightfully so. Ensuring the well-being of the team takes precedence moving forward. In prioritizing health, it’s natural for aspects like physicality and hustle to taper off, as we’ve observed.
“We’ve had a bad three days. But overall – the best record in the league. We’re 15 games ahead of second place. We’re not perfect, but we can learn from these,” Tatum said. “We feel good [heading into the playoffs, [and we’re] going to feel even better come the 21st.”
For all the reasons Tatum mentioned --and more -- the Celtics should feel good.
While nobody enjoys losing, the Celtics have their sights set on a greater goal than winning meaningless games. After all, these recent struggles will fade into insignificance once the postseason tips off next week.
“I actually don’t mind the result of the last two games because I think it’s important. Going in with a bunch of wins and feeling good about yourself isn’t any better than having a little bit of a bloody lip because of a game,” Mazzulla said. “They’ve done the best they could over the course of this stretch.”
Luckily for the Celtics, they only have two more such games. Then, it’s go time.
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