Celtics can stay with their ‘good look’ at finish of Sport 4 loss

PHILADELPHIA — As he thought of a query about whether or not the Boston Celtics ought to have referred to as a timeout to arrange their closing possession on the finish of regulation or in additional time of a 116-115 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in Sport 4 on Sunday, star Jayson Tatum recalled the technique that paid off a yr earlier.

Then, with the Celtics down by one on the finish on the ultimate possession towards the Brooklyn Nets within the first spherical of the 2022 NBA playoffs, Boston rebounded a miss from Kevin Durant and went on offense with out calling a timeout, resulting in a game-winning layup from Tatum within the closing seconds.

So, though the buzzer sounded Sunday on the finish of additional time earlier than Marcus Smart may launch a 3-pointer that may have been the sport winner, the Celtics have been content material with their late sport execution — apart from the truth that Tatum added he ought to have began the play a second sooner.

“You have to belief the fellows on the ground are going to make the best performs,” Tatum mentioned throughout his postgame media availability. “I ought to’ve handed it in all probability a second earlier [in overtime], however on the finish of regulation, acquired an ideal shot.

“Typically the ball goes in, generally it would not, however we acquired a very good core group of men that know the best way to play, particularly in these conditions. It simply would not all the time go your approach.”

The Celtics virtually stole Sport 4 regardless of falling behind by 16 factors and giving up a game-high 42 factors to James Harden. Nonetheless, Boston had a pair of probabilities to win the sport, on the ultimate possession on the finish of the fourth quarter and in additional time.

After overcoming a nine-point deficit in the beginning of the fourth quarter to tie the sport, the Celtics inbounded the ball with 16.1 seconds remaining and elected to not name a timeout to arrange the ultimate play. Tatum’s drive generated an open 3-pointer from Good, however he missed to ship the sport into additional time.

Then in additional time, Harden hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 19 seconds remaining, however the Celtics as soon as once more determined to assault with out stopping the sport. However Tatum didn’t start his drive towards the basket till there was lower than 5 seconds remaining. He discovered Good for an open 3-pointer, however the clock expired earlier than Good, who made the shot, let go of the ball.

“We had the best matchup,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla mentioned. “Jayson acquired downhill and made the best play on the rim. We simply must play with a bit extra tempo there.”

Added Good: “It was shut. Good look. Nice learn by JT. Made a very good play, made it, simply not in time.”

The sequence is tied at 2-2. Sport 5 is Tuesday evening in Boston.

Though the Celtics misplaced Sunday, they left Philadelphia with a couple of issues to be inspired with. Tatum completed with 24 factors, 18 rebounds and 6 assists with 4 blocks, a playoff profession excessive in each rebounds and blocks.

After a gradual begin with simply two factors within the first half, he shot 8-for-11 within the second half. Al Horford completed with 5 blocks within the sport, together with three on Joel Embiid within the fourth quarter, making him the primary participant to dam Embiid 3 times in a single quarter.

However after Celtics guard Jaylen Brown had made every little thing tough for Harden because the Sixers star struggled in Video games 2 and three, Harden acquired getting in Sport 4 as soon as Brown acquired into early foul bother. In the meantime, after scoring 12 factors within the first 5 minutes Brown didn’t have a lot of an impression over the rest of the sport, scoring simply 11 factors the remainder of the best way, together with three photographs within the fourth quarter and additional time.

And but, regardless of the loss, Horford mentioned he was feeling optimistic by the best way the Celtics rallied to have an opportunity to win the sport on the ultimate play.

“We knew we have been going to get their greatest shot at present,” Horford mentioned. “They put it on the market and we have been in a position to face up to it. Weren’t in a position to shut the sport, however I am fairly happy with our group and the way we responded at present.”