'Look Forward to us Responding': Celtics Turning the Page to the Nuggets After Tuesday's Collapse

The Celtics had a 22-point lead over the Cavaliers with under nine minutes left in the game, their largest blown fourth-quarter advantage since 2020.

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The Boston Celtics, leading by 22 points in the fourth quarter, saw their 12th consecutive win evaporate as they had their worst collapse in quite some time, falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 105-104.

With their worst fourth quarter of the season, the Celtics lost the final period 34-17, letting the Cavs stage a 28-5 run without Donovan Mitchell and Max Strus. Dean Wade had 20 points in the fourth due to Boston leaving him for uncontested triples, allowing the shooter to go 5-5 from distance. The visitors entered the game 45-3 when tied or leading heading into the final frame this season.

The Celtics had their fingerprints all over this one, up 22 points with just under nine minutes remaining, until their major collapse. They were 0-8 from three in the fourth quarter, getting back to their old ways of forcing triples. It was Boston's largest blown lead in the final 12 minutes since Mar. 3, 2020, when the C's were up by 18 and lost by nine to the Brooklyn Nets. Jaylen Brown labeled the game as a 'mentality loss,' with the way they approached the game.

Jayson Tatum only recorded two points in the final period after exploding for another MVP-like first half with 22 points and eight rebounds on 7-9 shooting from the field and 5-6 from three. He finished with 26 points, knocking down 8-21 attempts and missing his next three tries from beyond the arc.

Tatum also missed the final fadeaway shot, where there was first a foul called on Darius Garland. Cleveland challenged the call, and it got overturned, leading to a jump ball at halfcourt with 0.7 seconds left and the clock expiring before Boston could take a timeout.

After the game, the five-time All-Star said he is ready for his team to respond on Thursday, when the Celtics face an even tougher task with the defending champion Denver Nuggets on the road on TNT.

"Just hope to bounce back from tonight," Tatum said. "It's a lot of things that we know we can clean up and didn't necessarily play like ourselves in the second half."

The Celtics are 10-1 coming off of a loss this season, including last night being just their seventh loss with their full lineup.

"This year we've done a really good job of responding, so I look forward to us responding and playing better on Thursday," stated Tatum.

"I look forward to us responding and playing better on Thursday"

Jayson Tatum says his mind is now focused on the Nuggets on Thursday pic.twitter.com/3uLmZEKunB

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) March 6, 2024

The Nuggets are also coming off a loss to the Phoenix Suns, so most people's projected Finals preview in Denver should have a lot of juice to it, as anticipated.

Further Reading

Warriors' 'Disrespect' Only One Source of Fuel for Jaylen Brown Sunday

'The Best Team in the NBA': Luka Doncic Struck by Celtics' Balance

Jaylen Brown's Evolution Crucial to Celtics' Desire to Win with More Than Talent

Celtics Embracing Challenge to Go Beyond Most Talented

Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Sacrificing in Celtics' Title Pursuit: 'It's a Process'

Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot

Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans

Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'