Inside The Celtics

Shades of 2022 Finals as Celtics Can't Close vs. Warriors

The Celtics got outscored 46-29 in the fourth quarter and overtime as they failed to fend off the Warriors.

Bobby Krivitsky

John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
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When teams play not to lose, they often get burned for it. That's what happened to the Boston Celtics Tuesday night.

For most of the game, they pushed the pace, attacked aggressively, and contained Stephen Curry. The two-time scoring champion had 13 points entering the final frame.

The visitors entered that period with an 11-point lead, an advantage that should've been larger, but it failed to capitalize with Curry on the bench after picking up his fifth foul in the third quarter. Instead, the visitors went on an 11-4 run to stay within striking distance. 

And in the final 12 minutes, too often, Boston got away from the up-tempo approach that fueled its success. The Celtics also played with less force at both ends and watched their pick-and-roll defense deteriorate.

The Golden State Warriors outscored them 24-6 in the paint in the fourth quarter and overtime. Slip-ups defensively and some difficult shot-making by Curry also led to the hosts finding their rhythm from beyond the arc.

Even when Boston created quality looks, its fortune changed when it mattered most, exemplified by a five-shot possession where it came up empty. 

Those misses allowed Golden State to make a living in transition. That helped them outpace their guests 62-39 from the 4:50 mark in the third frame to the final buzzer in overtime.

Curry finished with 33 points, leading all scorers. The hosts also got a terrific performance from Trayce Jackson-Davis, who stepped up in Draymond Green's absence, contributing ten points, a game-high 13 rebounds, and three blocks, including some impressive denials at the rim. He was a plus-23, the highest plus-minus rating in the matchup.

As for the Celtics, Derrick White paced them with 30 points, While Jaylen Brown generated 28 in a stinging loss that they'll have to channel their inner Taylor Swift and quickly shake off. They face the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday in the second half of this back-to-back.

But before looking ahead, here's what stood out as Boston built on the momentum from its 5-0 homestand before the contest became reminiscent of the 2022 NBA Finals.

1. Derrick White had a fantastic first frame, starting 3/3 with each shot coming from behind the arc. He also had three blocks, including denying Andrew Wiggins at the rim and coming from behind to swat a Stephen Curry three-point attempt out of a high pick-and-roll.

His two-way impact helped fuel a 9-0 Celtics' run in under a minute as they built a 34-22 lead.

2. Making that stretch even more impressive is it came without Jayson Tatum, who rolled his ankle when he stepped on Brandin Podziemski's foot.

The four-time All-Star subbed out at the next whistle and hobbled to the locker room. Fortunately, he returned to the bench late in the opening quarter.

3. But even with the two-time All-NBA First Team selection only out there for four minutes, Boston put 40 points on the board, taking a 10-point advantage into the second period.

Effective screens, a terrific one by Neemias Queta to free Payton Pritchard for a pull-up jump shot serving as a prime example, were paramount to the visitors making a living in the paint, producing 22 points from inside there.

The other reason for their success from that area was how well they protected the perimeter, limiting the Warriors to 4/12 (33.3 percent) from beyond the arc.

The Celtics also parlayed three Golden State turnovers into six points, helping them generate a 9-0 advantage in fast-break scoring.

4. Their second unit was excellent in the first 12 minutes, outscoring the hosts' bench 10-3.

From Oshae Brissett attacking a corner closeout, driving baseline, and finishing with a thunderous flush to Queta grabbing his miss twice before converting on an attempt with his back to the basket, that group provided a lift with Tatum out.

5. While Tatum returned to start the second quarter, that didn't spare the C's from a field goal drought that lasted over 4:30. Late in the period, they were shooting a frigid 29.4 percent, including 2/11 (18.2 percent) from three-point range.

While the visitors struggled to find their rhythm offensively, the Warriors staged a 15-2 run.

But Boston closed the half well, including an 8-0 burst that helped it take a 65-62 edge into the break.

Jaylen Brown led all scorers with 15 points at intermission. Klay Thompson and Jonathan Kuminga each had 13, pacing Golden State.

6. As previously detailed, Jaylen Brown, playing the best ball of his career right now, in this author's opinion, is the driving force fueling a Celtics' attack that's relentlessly pushing the pace.

Tuesday, the visitors did an excellent job of getting the defensive rebound and quickly getting the ball ahead, often to Brown. That led to points at the rim, second-chance opportunities, and in-rhythm shots from beyond the arc.

That approach led to 18 points in the paint in the first 12 minutes after halftime. It's also how Brown drew Stephen Curry's fourth foul on a transition layup. 

Shortly after that, with Boston playing up-tempo, it got Curry on Brown. The two-time All-Star quickly went to work, taking the smaller defender into the low post. He then steered into the paint before facing up and scoring over the two-time MVP as the latter picked up his fifth personal.

7. While Brown registered nine points in the period, entering the final frame with 24, the most in the matchup, and Derrick White scored 11, giving him 23 after 36 minutes, the C's didn't capitalize on Curry's foul trouble forcing him to the bench.

The hosts went on an 11-4 run late in the third quarter, keeping them within 11, 97-86, entering the last 12 minutes.

8. The fourth quarter felt reminiscent of the 2022 NBA Finals. The Celtics were playing less aggressively and more to preserve the lead. It backfired.

They went 4/12 (33.3 percent) from three-point range and couldn't keep Golden State out of the paint. The Warriors built an 18-4 advantage from there in the final 12 minutes. They also drilled 5/9 (55.6 percent) threes.

Those factors allowed the Warriors to overcome a double-digit deficit and their lack of a lead since the 2:45 mark in the second period, forcing overtime with the score even at 121.

9. With Boston's pick-and-roll defense deteriorating and the visitors not consistently playing up-tempo or with aggression offensively, then missing quality shots when they created them, even when they got to the cup, the Celtics suffered a stinging 132-126 loss at Chase Center.

A possession where they got five good looks but came up empty exemplified their fortunes turning when it mattered most.

While Derrick White generated 30 points and Jaylen Brown registered 28, Boston couldn't contain Curry, who finished with a game-high 33, including 20 in the fourth quarter and overtime.

10. The Celtics now head to Sacramento for a showdown with the Kings in the second half of a back-to-back. That game will tip-off at 10:00 p.m. EST.

Further Reading

Celtics Expected to be Active in the Buyout Market

Celtics Have Reportedly Shown 'Great Interest' in Pistons' Center

Jaylen Brown Discusses Growing Leadership Role with Celtics: 'I've Embraced That'

Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'

Celtics Utilize Speed Advantage in Run Away Win vs. Magic: 'It Makes the Game Easier'

Derrick White Praises Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown's Impact That 'Doesn't Show Up on the Stat Sheet'

Jayson Tatum Praises Kristaps Porzingis for Allowing Celtics to Spin the Dial Defensively

An Empowered Jaylen Brown Strives to Balance Scoring with Playmaking: 'I've Grown A Lot'

Joe Mazzulla Believes Celtics' Second Unit is 'Starting to Develop an Identity'

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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