Inside The Celtics

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Celtics' Shot Selection After Long-Range Struggles in Loss vs. Knicks

The Celtics went 9/42 on threes, taking 50 percent of their shots from behind the arc in loss vs. Knicks.

Bobby Krivitsky

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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In Monday night's 109-94 loss at Madison Square Garden, the Celtics consistently created quality looks from behind the arc. The problem was they often failed to capitalize, finishing 9/42 (21.4 percent) in an ice-cold performance from the three-point line.

In a stretch that lasted from early in the first frame until a Marcus Smart three with 1:36 left in the second quarter, Boston missed 15-straight long-range attempts.

Again, a lot of those were good shots, and the visitors produced 52 points in the paint to the Knicks' 42.

But when the result isn't changing, perhaps, it's best to diversify the portfolio. Those 42 threes account for 50 percent of the Celtics' shots.

It also didn't help that they went 11/14 at the free-throw line while New York took 34, making 23.

After the game, a defeat that bumps Boston to 44-18 and second in the East behind the Bucks (43-17) due to winning percentage, Joe Mazzulla expressed the following about his team's shot selection.

"I thought we missed a lot of good looks. Put pressure on our defense, they do a good job of putting pressure in the paint and free throws, and so if you can't make open shots, you constantly have to guard, paint threat, paint threat, paint threat, and they put a lot of pressure on our defense, but I just didn't think it was our night."

Further Reading

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Loss vs. Knicks: New York Bests Boston on a Cold Shooting Night by the Visitors

Joe Mazzulla's Message to the Celtics After Clinching Season Series vs. Sixers

Jayson Tatum Discusses His Game-Winning Shot vs. Sixers, Including His Message to the Celtics in the Preceding Timeout

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Victory vs. Sixers: Tatum Comes Through in the Clutch as Boston Wins Season Series

Film Room: How the Celtics Defend Joel Embiid

[Film Room] What Worked for Celtics' Starters vs. Pacers and What Needs Addressing

Top Celtics Buyout Option Set to Reach Free Agency

Jayson Tatum Unveils Jordan Tatum 1's

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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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