For 2 consecutive collection, the Celtics dropped Sport 2 simply days after blowing out their opponent in Sport 1.
Within the first spherical, it was Miami going for a franchise-record 23 three-pointers that led to a double-digit loss.
This time, it was Cleveland that exploded offensively, scoring their most factors in a playoff recreation (118 factors) since 2018.
Joe Mazzulla didn’t have a lot to say on the podium after the Celtics 28-point defeat, however he did reiterate the same speaking level from the Sport 2 loss towards Miami: profitable playoff video games isn’t supposed simple.
“It’s a playoff collection towards a extremely good workforce [and] actually good gamers,” Mazzulla stated. “Effectively-coached. So, yeah. I count on it — like I stated earlier than, it takes what it takes. I count on it to be tough.”
And whereas Cleveland didn’t appear to be probably the most formidable of opponents in Sport 1, a number of Cavs gamers had been elite in Sport 2. Donovan Mitchell had 29 factors (10-19 FG), 8 assists, and seven rebounds, exploding for 16 factors within the third quarter. Evan Mobley was dominant from the leap, including 21 factors on 9-15 taking pictures, together with 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. Even Darius Garland, who’s had a tough postseason run, added an environment friendly 14 factors on 4 of 5 from downtown.
Jaylen Brown was vocally annoyed in his postgame presser, calling out the Celtics’ “unacceptable” defensive efficiency. Cleveland shot 54.7% from the sector and 46.4% from three – with no Cavaliers participant taking pictures beneath 50% from the sector.
Additionally they out-rebounded the Celtics 44 to 31, regardless of being with out Jarrett Allen for the third consecutive recreation.
“It’s the playoffs,” Brown stated. “That may’t occur. I don’t care if – when you’re lacking pictures, you gotta guard a man on the opposite finish.”
However Brown made clear the Celtics wouldn’t wallow within the Sport 2 efficiency for too lengthy.
“You be taught from it,” Brown stated. “Take it on the chin. You be taught from it and are available out and put your greatest foot ahead for the following recreation. Clearly, this was an unacceptable efficiency, and we should be prepared to reply.”
Jayson Tatum completed with 25 factors on 7 of 17 taking pictures, persevering with his postseason taking pictures struggles. However he stated that whereas there’s lots of noise following Celtics losses, the locker room is wanting ahead to turning the web page.
“No person was in there defeated, deflated,” Tatum stated. “I imply, [we] by no means wish to lose, particularly within the playoffs – lot of issues we are able to be taught from. World thinks we’re by no means purported to lose and we’re purported to win each recreation by 25. And it’s simply not gonna be like that on a regular basis. We don’t count on it to be simple.”
Jayson Tatum didn’t make any comparisons between the 2 Sport 2 losses:
“That collection is behind us. So, I’m not enthusiastic about that in any respect. , all of them rely the identical whether or not we misplaced by 3 or misplaced by 25. So, get this one behind us, watch movie, and prepare for Saturday.”” pic.twitter.com/r9vjSJwU5i
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzellNBA) Might 10, 2024
Tomorrow, the Celtics will examine what went mistaken on Thursday night time, and journey to Cleveland. On Saturday, they’ll play in a pivotal Sport 3, and Mazzulla has made it a degree all yr to notice that the mindset coming into a recreation doesn’t change, no matter whether or not the Celtics are coming off of a win or a loss.
“You deal with it the identical manner you’d a win,” Mazzulla stated. “Are available tomorrow, you watch the movie, and get higher for Sport 3.”
This one was significantly brutal in that the Celtics in the end fell behind by 28 factors. However Tatum stated the purpose differential doesn’t matter — solely the ultimate final result does.
“All of them rely the identical whether or not we misplaced by 3 or misplaced by 25,” Tatum stated. “So, get this one behind us, watch movie, and prepare for Saturday.”
Al Horford didn’t wish to give any definitive statements about what went mistaken within the recreation earlier than getting the prospect to observe movie. However he expressed confidence that the Celtics will bounce again, simply as they did after the Sport 2 loss to Miami. In each Sport 2s, the Celtics had been out-hustled and out-executed.
Towards Miami, they responded with three consecutive blowout losses to shut issues out. Doing so towards Cleveland might be tougher, however this Celtics workforce has proven all yr it bounces again effectively from losses — that’s how they ended up with a league greatest 64-18 report, and misplaced consecutive video games solely 3 times.
“We’ll look into it and we’ll see how we may be higher, be taught from it,” Horford stated through CLNS Media. “That’s what we did the final time, and now we have to grasp that we’re going into Saturday right into a hostile place. It’s going to be a battle. We simply need to ensure that we’re at our greatest and I’m assured we’ll be able to go.”
