The Celtics fell to the Cavaliers, 118-94, in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Thursday, allowing Cleveland to shoot 46.4% from beyond the arc on 28 three-point attempts. Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe opines that this was more than a case of the Celtics simply missing shots and allowing the Cavs to get hot — they were neutralized by the presence of Evan Mobley.
After getting blown out in Game 1, the Cavaliers ran through Mobley, who finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Donovan Mitchell scored 29 points while Caris LeVert contributed 21 off the bench. It was Cleveland’s first road playoff win in six years. Nothing was working for the Celtics, Washburn writes, beyond getting Jayson Tatum to the free-throw line (11 attempts), while Derrick White and Jrue Holiday ran cold (14 combined points).
“I think when you lose a game like that, it could be a combination of tactics, a combination of effort, a combination of all those things,” head coach Joe Mazzulla said. “You treat it the same way you would a win, you come in, watch the film and you get better for Game 3.”
In a similar piece, Danny Chau of The Ringer analyzes Boston’s postseason, writing that Tatum hasn’t been the best version of himself through the first seven Celtics playoff games.
“Nobody in [the locker room was] defeated or deflated,” Tatum said. “You never want to lose, especially in the playoffs. A lot of things we can learn from. We get it, right? The world thinks we’re never supposed to lose. We’re supposed to win every game by 25. And it’s just not going to be like that all the time.”
- This is the second straight Game 2 in which the Celtics’ opponents got hot from beyond the arc and defeated Boston on its home floor, Jared Weiss of The Athletic writes. After Mitchell made five of his seven threes and 10 of his 19 shots on the night, guard Jaylen Brown said Boston had no excuse for allowing him to heat up. “It’s the playoffs, that can’t happen. I don’t care if you’re missing shots, you’ve got to guard the guy on the other end,” Brown said. “That allows you to miss more shots if you’re playing defense. But you can’t miss shots and then allow them to make shots at the other end. That was unacceptable.”
- Boston’s starters were taken out of the game with about five minutes left in regulation in Game 2, Jay King of The Athletic observes, with the team looking ahead to Game 3. “I just felt like that was the best thing to do at that particular time,” Mazzulla said. “We have another game coming up soon.” King writes how the Celtics respond will be most indicative of their ability to — or lack thereof — to win a championship.
- Though he didn’t make a big impact in Game 2, backup center Luke Kornet was a huge reason why Boston blew out Cleveland in Game 1 of the series, MassLive’s Brian Robb writes. Kornet, who took on a larger role due to Kristaps Porzingis‘ absence, recorded four points, 10 rebounds and a pair of blocks in the victory, sparking the Celtics bench.
- Like Kornet, White had a quieter Game 2 but was integral to Boston’s Game 1 success. White recorded 25 points and five assists in Game 1 while knocking down seven threes. In a separate piece, Weiss explores how White’s shooting is crucial to unlocking the Celtics’ offense. “It’s important because it means usually the shots he takes are because we’re either out in transition, we’ve set really good screens and he has that [look], or there are two-on-ones and we’re making extra passes,” Mazzulla said. “So I think when those guys get more and more shots, it means we’re getting to the different layers of our offense which is important against a team like [Cleveland].”
Celtics put a Ferrari in the hands of a guy who barely understands the analytics he claims his offense is based on.
Joe Mazzulla is hands down the worst coach left in the playoffs and I would expect if the Celtics win this series (no guarantees), they will lose another game at home.
Joe Mazzulla has a below .500 home playoff record. Let that set in a little and think why did Boston want home court when their coach is fine giving up homecourt in every series.
They gave up home court last year v. the Heat, this year v. the Heat and now with the Cavs who ive got to believe value the home court more than Boston.
Brad Stevens made ONE huge mistake, he gave control to Joe Mazzulla.
I have no confidence in the Celtics, I am a Celtic fan and I think they dont make it even to the ECFs. I also would bet they lose today by 10+.
They just dont care. Its about money for Tatum, not winning.
Let’s see if you’re right, CF. Game 3: Cavs by 10+. Book it. Can you IMAGINE the pandemonium in the greater Massachusetts if the Celtics return home down 3-1?? Doubtful, but the level of utter disbelief for regular basketball fans would be through-the-roof immeasurable.
Oh i forgot, Celtics gave up home court in the Atlanta and Philly series in 2023 as well, just not in game 2.
Celtics starters need to play with the excitement that Pritchard, Kornet, Tillman and Brissett show. I’m not saying they are better players, but their enthusiasm is off the charts. Tillman had a +/- of +12 in the first half and never got in the game in the 2nd. Celtics were up 7 in the 2nd period when Pritchard left and all 5 starters returned. Hauser’s confidence is shot, partly because he has taken a total of 4 shots in 2 games. Shooters have to have someone pass the ball to them to be able to shoot. I have said all along that will win once they have a coach who can coach and once they all play as a team. I’ve only seen that sporadically in 7 playoff games so far.
Yes, our Celtics are missing a few things. Like we need a closer. KP was handling that role pretty well, with his post-ups over shorter opponents. Maybe Holiday’s early aggressiveness last night is a step to that goal. Tatum & Brown are just not Jalen Brunson or Donovan Mitchell in closing status, not yet. We also have other weaknesses like ball handling & complacency but I can’t say it’s the coach’s fault. He’s not on the floor. Go Celtics!