The Boston Celtics suffered a painful 115-105 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, as their 28-point first-half lead slipped into a double-digit defeat.
Celtics: Games NBA
Friday's loss was a missed opportunity for the Celtics to remain connected to the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference standings. However, it was just one game and the Celtics can recover. Bad losses happen, and they can have an impact on the standings, but they are not usually season-defining. The Celtics must learn from this defeat and avoid it happening again in the future.
The Celtics cannot afford to dwell on Friday's loss. Jayson Tatum said, "Move on, get ready for the next one. It is what it is, essentially." The NBA's 82-game regular season can lead to players sitting out games, and there are too many games in a season to get worked up about one loss.
Joe Mazzulla, an assistant coach with the Celtics, believes the 3-point rate is "the most important stat in the game of basketball." On Friday, the Nets generated 44 3-point field-goal attempts, while the Celtics shot just 30. The Celtics need to generate more 3-pointers in the future, as they give teams more opportunities to score.
Jaylen Brown had an excellent performance, scoring 35 points and providing five rebounds, four assists, and three steals. However, Brown admitted the team was careless with the ball and allowed the Nets to take more shots.
In a concerning moment, Robert Williams asked out of the game in the fourth quarter due to back spasms. The center's health is a major concern for the Celtics, who have already been without key players due to injuries and the COVID-19 protocol.
Conclusion:
Overall, the Celtics need to learn from their mistakes and avoid careless play in the future. The team cannot afford to dwell on one loss in a long season, but they must focus on generating more 3-pointers and taking care of the ball. As they move forward, the Celtics will need to stay healthy and maintain their momentum to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference.
