Jayson Tatum has publicly accepted blame for his poor efficiency within the Boston Celtics’ 0-2 sequence deficit in opposition to the New York Knicks, vowing enchancment for Saturday’s essential Sport 3. Tatum addressed his taking pictures woes throughout Thursday’s media availability following staff movie classes.
Tatum has shot simply 29% from the sector (12-of-42) and 25% from three-point vary (5-of-20) by way of two video games. He has tried solely 9 free throws whereas committing eight turnovers within the sequence. Tatum had a PER of 29.1 within the first spherical and simply 11.2 within the first two video games of the second spherical.
“I take full possession of the best way that I’ve performed on this sequence and might’t sugarcoat something,” Tatum mentioned Thursday. “I must be higher, and I count on to be loads higher.”
The Celtics have collectively struggled from past the arc, changing solely 25% of their three-point makes an attempt (25-of-100). This marks a big departure from their regular-season taking pictures efficiency that helped them safe 61 wins.
Fourth Quarter Execution Issues
Tatum and teammate Jaylen Brown have been notably ineffective in clutch conditions, taking pictures a mixed 2-of-19 in fourth quarters. The Knicks have outscored Boston by 22 factors in closing quarters, overcoming 20-point deficits in each video games.
Joe Mazzulla acknowledged Tatum’s accountability whereas emphasizing team-wide duty. “It is a credit score to [Tatum], I do not assume that I respect the truth that he would [take responsibility], however I feel it is on all people,” Mazzulla mentioned.
Thursday’s movie session targeted on sustaining confidence and aggressive play regardless of taking pictures struggles. The staff particularly addressed not passing up open pictures that match inside their offensive system.
“You’ll be able to’t lose your confidence,” Tatum said, reinforcing the method that helped Boston seize final season’s championship and set three-point taking pictures information.
The Celtics additionally face uncertainty relating to heart Kristaps Porzingis, who has been restricted by respiratory points. Porzingis performed simply 14 minutes in Sport 3 regardless of contributing eight factors and 4 rebounds in his restricted motion.
