While the Timberwolves looked like they were going to start pulling away from the Celtics in the fourth quarter, that’s when Jayson Tatum started to take the game over. He scored 10 fourth-quarter points to help boost the C’s into a close game Monday at Target Center.
But the end-of-game, clutch possessions stagnated for the Celtics down the stretch. In regulation, while they got enough stops to force overtime, either turnovers or tough shots kept them from the win. Then in overtime, the Wolves ripped off a 9-0 run. While the Celtics made it interesting late, they ran out of steam in their 114-109 loss to the Wolves.
“We know that going into a lot of games that — especially going on the road — guys are going to get up to play against us,” Tatum said, via NBC Sports Boston. “We played hard. We competed. So a lot of things on the offensive end we can learn from. Our communication could be better knowing where certain guys are going to be. Just some little things that I feel like we can clean up in late-game situations.”
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There wasn’t too much worry coming off the Celtics’ first loss of the season as they fell to 5-1. The C’s performed well in their first two clutch games against the Knicks and Heat to win them. But they were left looking for a few more possessions Monday.
But as Tatum pointed out, the Celtics battled as they were shorthanded without Derrick White as the starter missed his second straight game. Kristaps Porzingis also battled foul trouble for most of the game, which affected the Celtics’ flow. Porzingis also didn’t make much of an impact late in the game as he wasn’t involved as much down the stretch.
The Wolves should get credit, too. The Celtics, when clicking over the first five games, found advantages seemingly at will on the offensive end. But the Wolves brought in their league-best defense into Monday’s game, and they made life difficult for the Celtics. So while the execution wasn’t up to par, it doesn’t mean the alarm bells need to go off after one bad night.
The Celtics will look to bounce back when they face a division foe in the 76ers in Philadelphia on Wednesday. The Sixers will be looking to make a statement, much like the Wolves, as both teams go into that game with identical 5-1 records.
“Just had too many turnovers,” Tatum said. “I had way too many turnovers that I have to be better. We all gotta be better, but especially me. Clean those up in late-game situations.”
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