The Celtics entered their sequence in opposition to the Knicks with all of the momentum, thanks largely to their all-in strategy to three-point capturing.
However that technique backfired large time in Sport 1. Boston missed 45 threes in a 108-105 time beyond regulation loss, setting a playoff file with 60 makes an attempt from deep.
Up by 20 within the second half, the Celtics appeared poised for an additional win over the Knicks. Then the pictures stopped falling. Boston missed its subsequent 10 makes an attempt—each one a three-pointer.
“A few of them felt good, some felt like we have been type of forcing it,” stated Jaylen Brown, who went 1-for-10 from three. “Our rhythm and timing have been positively off. We received a whole lot of nice seems, however perhaps there’s some fact to [overdoing it] at this time.”
In keeping with ESPN Analysis, the Celtics had 45 uncontested threes however missed 32. Even with open seems, the amount raised questions.
“Clearly in hindsight, if we may return, we’d in all probability drive the ball a little bit bit extra,” stated Jayson Tatum, who went 4-for-15 from deep. “You possibly can all the time look again and see what it is best to have completed otherwise.”
Late within the recreation, the Celtics created favorable matchups for Tatum, however he settled for lengthy jumpers as a substitute of attacking the rim—giving the Knicks a break.
After halftime, Boston went simply 9-for-34 from past the arc. The Knicks, who had beforehand allowed 84 threes in 4 regular-season losses to the Celtics, really hit two extra threes (17) on 23 fewer makes an attempt.
“I have a look at the method and the shot high quality—our shot high quality was excessive,” stated head coach Joe Mazzulla, who often encouarges his staff to shoot as many threes as potential. “There have been in all probability eight to 10 pictures that might be higher for positive.”
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