Celtics receive wake up call that could launch them to NBA championship

Head coach Joe Mazzulla was all fired up after The Celtics crushed the Philadelphia 76ers, 121-87, in Game 2 of the Eastern Semifinals. The Atlanta Hawks took the Celtics to seven games in the first series, and then the Celts lost at home in Game 1 to the 76ers minus NBA MVP Joel Embiid.

This wasn’t the way it was supposed to go. With the top seed Milwaukee Bucks being upset in the first round, many people believed the Celtics would have a cakewalk to the Finals, if not the championship. Apparently, the Celtics may have been believing that as well.

Despite shooting 59% from the field in the first game against Philadelphia, and being 17-18 from the free throw line, the Celtics lost. The difference was their lack of physicality and their overall poor perimeter defense. James Harden went off for 45 points while only taking four free throws. He was never forced to take it to the basket and buried 7 of 14 three pointers, including one with 8.7 seconds left which gave Philly the lead and the eventual win. As a whole, the team shot 44.7% from three.

Jayson Tatum and Derek White finished with two fouls. Robert Williams III and Malcolm Brogdon only had one foul each and center Al Horford had no fouls in 30 minutes of play while, not coincidentally, having a +/- of -17. At first glance, that might appear good. At least the Celtics weren’t in foul trouble. However, that is also an indication that not much tight defense was being played by those players. Tight defense and hustle result in fouls, sporadically, over a game.

Coach Mazzulla was also critical of the team only taking 26 three-pointers in the first game. Jaylen Brown only took three shots after a scorching hot first quarter. In game two, the Celtics took 51 threes. Jaylen Brown kept his foot on the pedal, thanks, in part, to Jayson Tatum sitting on the bench for the majority of the game due to foul trouble. Brown led the Celtics with 25 points. The Celtics doubled their output in both steals and blocks from Game 1 to Game 2.

It appears the Game 1 home loss has fired up the team in a way that the three losses against the Hawks never did. Mazzulla after the game, after receiving his final question, stormed off the podium asking with an angry face, “What, no one wants to ask about the adjustments we made from Game 1 to Game 2?”

The thin-skinned Mazzulla’s fire and intensity was reflective of his team. The favorites to win the NBA championship appeared on their way to have their season end the same manner the Boston Bruins had their season come to an embarrassing end. At too many points over the year, the Celtics have been lackadaisical and complacent. They believe that just by setting foot on the court, they deserve to win. Often, they would set the tone for the first three quarters just to prove how awesome they can be, then pat themselves on the back without noticing their huge leads evaporating. The NBA is too good to ever let up. Players have pride. They are pros. Now, it seems maybe the Celtics have that same pride and have been inspired to blaze the trail.

When this team’s mentality matches their physical talent, the Celtics should have the inside track to the championship. It won’t be easy, but it is easier without the Bucks. But they still have to win 16 games in the playoffs to get the trophy, just like anyone else. Last year’s Finals should have taught them that. They said they learned after blowing a 2-1 series lead to Golden State. But somewhere along the line, they forgot. Monday night’s defeat may have been the wake up call the team needed.