The Celtics have hit some turmoil for the first time this postseason with a dud in Game 2 against the Heat. Joe Mazzulla will need to make changes with Game 3 coming up Saturday as familiar bad habits surface for Boston. If you have questions about the Celtics or NBA, email brobb@masslive.com or tweet @briantrobb
B-Robb, I need some assistance. Can you please convince me, after that debacle in game 2, that this Celtics team is still poised to make a title run? I feel like everything we’ve been concerned about for this team over the last several seasons was on full display on Wednesday night. I figured with the roster shake up they may have finally moved past their bad habits, but seems to be the same old Celtics team who can’t adjust on the fly or game to game. Please tell me I’m wrong. -Paul in Malden
These are all reasonable concerns given how the East Finals played out last year. I’m going to give this team the benefit of the doubt in a couple of areas though. They have shown a vastly improved ability to bounce back from duds like Game 2 all year long. The team didn’t have a three-game losing streak all year long so they have shown resiliency.
With that said, there is a lot of pressure now on the coaching staff to get this turned around in a hurry, something they struggled with last postseason with delayed adjustments. Taking away the 3 needs to be a priority, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis have to be much better and the offense needs to be more free-flowing. Boston telegraphed their intentions in Game 2 and the Heat were ready for it. A more unpredictable offensive attack with a diverse set of weapons should lead to better results. Whether the Celtics can adjust quickly to these needs will determine whether this is a long series or not.
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C’s are obviously loaded at guard and wing both talent-wise and in terms of team control, but how do you see them pursuing improving the front court after this season? Horford will be one year older, Porzingis plays in 70 percent of the games, and all other bigs (Kornet, Queta, and Tillman) are free agents. They need to address both a front court improvement AND consider a Derrick White extension. How can they realistically/financially get it done? — Paul C
I honestly feel confident that they will run it back with that crew and perhaps use the No. 30 pick to add another big man. Kornet and Tillman should be fairly cheap to retain, maybe costing a little bit more than the league minimum in Tillman’s case. Queta will have a chance to play for a roster spot during training camp (his deal is non-guaranteed for next year), but he could be bumped out by a draft pick. Ultimately, there’s no upgrade coming in this area on the free agent market unless there is a veteran that wants to ring chase. Boston can’t even offer more than the veteran’s minimum and any trades get very tough now with the second apron rules and a lack of movable salary at the bottom of the roster. Bigger roster changes could happen of course with an early playoff exit but beyond that? It will be bargain basement shopping for bigs.
Brian,
How high is your concern level that the Celtics had a 32 point lead in Game 1, against a Butler less Heat, which dropped to 13 before ending the game winning by 20? Closing strong has been the achilles heel for the entire run of the Tatum/Brown era. — Thanks,Peter
It was fairly low in the moment but the Heat clearly gained a little momentum in that run that carried over to Game 2. It’s understandable they took their guard down with a 30+ point lead but the urgency wasn’t there throughout Game 2. It was bizarre to see them caught off guard based on how Miami shot last year but giving the Heat any confidence in the playoffs is a dangerous game.
White has got to be more assertive, Tempo on Offense, Hunting a mismatch needs to be last resort on offense. They allow physicality be more physical on defense — Von B
This was a hidden storyline for Game 2 which I agree totally with. He was pushed to the backburner as a 5th option with just eight shot attempts in 36 minutes and it didn’t feel like he had a chance to initiate much. Boston’s offense is at its best with a chaos element mixed in with good ball movement and White is a critical part of that most nights. With Holiday struggling around the rim, White should be the more featured part of the backcourt moving forward within the offense.
