Why Do Celtics Keep Falling Short In Crunch Time?
The Boston Celtics have been frustrating to watch this season, starting 5-7 over their first dozen games. Only four teams in the Eastern Conference have fewer wins than them.
While the Celtics are playing hard for Joe Mazzulla in Jayson Tatum’s absence (especially on defense), they keep falling short in crunch time. It happened again on Tuesday, as Boston lost by two points to the Philadelphia 76ers in the final seconds.
Despite having the ball at the end of the game with a chance to tie or take the lead, the Celtics failed to get a quality shot off, not even hitting the rim with Derrick White’s desperate 3-point heave.
Boston is now 2-5 in clutch games this season, which the NBA defines as a game within five points in the final five minutes. The team has already lost three games by two points or less, including two such games to the 76ers.
The Celtics have struggled on both ends of the floor during clutch scenarios, ranking 21st in offensive rating and 28th in defensive rating. They also have a minus-32.7 net rating.
While Boston has sputtered offensively this season despite Jaylen Brown’s greatness, the defensive dropoff is particularly alarming. The Celtics are normally a good defensive team, ranking second in fewest points allowed per game and 11th in defensive rating.
Perhaps they run out of steam after playing so hard for 40-plus minutes, or their lack of depth ultimately catches up with them. Maybe Mazzulla is getting outcoached or other teams are making better adjustments.
Either way, they’re not finishing games strong. Too often, they’re struggling to make clutch shots and get stops and rebounds when they need them.
That needs to change if Boston wants to turn its season around and make the playoffs this year. The Celtics must do a better job of closing out games, but that won’t be easy for a young, inexperienced team that’s still learning how to play together and prone to making mistakes.