The Boston Celtics got a much needed wake up call against the Cleveland Cavaliers
The Boston Celtics suffered one of their worst losses of the season on Sunday, falling 121-99 to the Cleveland Cavaliers. After the Celtics finished the first quarter with a one point lead, hopes were high. The next three quarters, however, were a different story.
Boston’s offense seemed to disappear once again and their defense was the victim an offensive assault. While Sunday’s game may not have been fun for Celtics fans to watch, it may have sent a message that the Celtics desperately needed to hear.
As impressive as a record as the Celtics own (40-18) with only one game remaining before the All-Star break, they have recently struggled against elite teams and have fallen out of first place in the Eastern Conference.
In the past week alone, the Celtics have dropped three of their last four games, including blowout losses to the Raptors and Cavaliers and salvaged a six-point loss to the Pacers. If the past week has been anything for the Celtics, it surely has been a wake-up call.
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Before the Celtics awaken from their sleep, there were a few messages left on the answering machine.
Boston is not the team to beat
While it may have been fun for Celtics fans to watch the Cavaliers go through what seemed like complete turmoil in their locker-room that carried over to the court, LeBron James and the Cavaliers sent a loud message to the Celtics explaining that they have a new team and are still the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.
What’s even worse for Celtics fans to hear is the Raptors sending a similar message. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan helped make the Celtics aware of just how legitimate a threat the Raptors are in the East, dominating Boston 111-91 in their last meeting. The Raptors, now currently in first place in the East, have outlived the “nobody is talking about us” life and look ready to make a serious run at an NBA Championship.
The Celtics need to figure out their offense
Kyrie Irving averaging just less than 25 points per game is good for the Celtics anyway you look at it. What isn’t good is that Boston ranks 25th in the NBA averaging less than 103 points per game.
Not only do the Celtics struggle scoring as a team, but the offense also seems to have stretches where there is absolutely no movement and complete isolation ball is played. Boston needs to stop relying on Irving’s offensive talent to such a high level and get back to playing team basketball, swinging the ball side to side and cutting to the rim, which worked during their 16-game winning streak.
Stop turning the ball over
Boston has built a reputation this year as a strong defensive team and rightfully so. The Celtics allow less than 100 points per game, which is second in the NBA to the San Antonio Spurs.
Recently, the Celtics have been on the receiving end of a blow they usually throw, which is forcing turnovers. Boston has relied on its defensive pressure to force turnovers and converting those turnovers into points. A prime example is Terry Rozier’s game winning steal and dunk against the Pacers back in December. Now, the Celtics seem to be the team turning the ball over left and right.
The Celtics rank 10th in the NBA in turnovers per game with just more than 13 per game. Their recent struggles arise from them averaging 15 turnovers per game in their last four games. Boston’s 15 turnovers per game would land them at 24th in the league. The Celtics need to clean up their act and stop allowing teams to get fast break opportunities.
The first half of the season has been fun
Even with the recent struggles, the first half of the season has been exciting and fun. Despite Gordon Hayward’s injury the Celtics find themselves second in the East with one game remaining before the break.
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Nobody can take away from what Boston has been able to achieve up to this point in the season. However, their recent struggles have given them something to really consider before beginning the second half of the season. The only question is if Boston will listen to their answering machine and answer the call waiting for them.