Boston Celtics Let Down by Three Point Shooting

The Boston Celtics consistently rely on the three point shooting and they were doing a great job on both ends during their winning streak. The were continually shooting over 40% from three and they were shutting down opponents.

Against the Los Angeles Lakers, it was a completely different story. The Lakers shot 47.4% from three point range and the Celtics shot just 25.9%. The Celtics hit rock bottom on both ends and it happened against one of the last teams you’d expect.

This is the second loss this season to one of the worst teams in the league and once again raises all kinds of consistency issues for the Celtics. They have proven that when the play their best they can keep up with any teams in the NBA. But these kinds of disappointing games are happening too often.

The Celtics need to prove that they can put together long stretches of great play. They are yet to win more than four games in a row but one major thing will help the Celitcs from here on out. Marcus Smart.

Arguably the Celtics’ best defender had just 11 minutes played against the Lakers. Smart has had too many injuries early on in his career for Brad Stevens to force him back into the lineup. It will take some time before Smart returns to his normal role but he should be improving with each game. The Celtics will be at their best point of the season when Smart is at full strength and that will give them another great offensive threat too.

Nov 20, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) drives the ball against Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Smart struggled shooting the three ball to start the season but he was one of the team leaders in attempts. Smart is clearly supposed to be a huge portion of the team’s three point shooting but they are yet to get the best he has to offer.

Especially with how poorly Evan Turner shoots the three ball, the Celtics could use another three point threat in their back court. The Celtics rely on having plenty of top options that can extend the floor and Smart will make the starting unit and the second unit better.

Any one of the three guards that may have to go to the bench will be the top option coming off the bench. The Celtics’ three point and overall depth is vastly improved with Smart in the lineup.

This is the second year in a row where the Celtics are one of the league leaders in three points attempted but are down at the bottom of three point percentage. A team that relies this heavily on threes without having enough reliable shooters is bound to have disastrous games and it was terrible timing against the Lakers as that was a game that the defense decided to disappear too.

The Celtics could have won with a solid game on either end but they had no advantage on either end. The Celtics didn’t force turnovers and had absolutely nothing going on the offensive boards. The Celtics put forth one of their worst efforts on the season and they cannot expect to beat a team in the NBA when that happens.

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The Celtics need to bounce back against the Nets and they need to do it on the defensive end. The Celtics can afford to have another poor shooting game if they make up for it on the defensive end. The Celtics have struggled against the Nets this year but hopefully that will keep them focused and help them avoid the collapse that happened against the Lakers.

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