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Fansided

Boston Celtics fall in Game 7 of the ECF 87-79

ByAlex Eddy|
BOSTON, MA - MAY 27: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics hug after the game during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 27, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 27: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics hug after the game during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 27, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Boston Celtics can be proud, but know they had an opportunity to win game seven

The Boston Celtics‘ season is over and LeBron James (35 points, 15 boards, nine assists) will be going to his eighth consecutive NBA Finals. It was an impressive season and one that we should be thankful for as Celtics fans.

However, like I noted in my last article, you can’t help but feel frustrated because this team was so darn close to heading to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010. And, it’s not like the Cleveland Cavaliers played an amazing Game 7, this was a very, very winnable game.

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The poor shooting performance will haunt us for a while. The Celtics shot just 34.1 percent from the field and 17.9 percent from 3-point range. Terry Rozier was 2-14 from the filed and 0-10 from downtown, Marcus Smart was 1-10 from the field and 0-4 from downtown, Marcus Morris was 5-14 from the field and 2-6 from downtown, and Jaylen Brown was 5-18 from the field and 3-12 from downtown.

You can’t shoot like that in a Game 7. It’s that simple. These guys played so well in the playoffs, but in a game for all the marbles, they were dreadful. Jayson Tatum (24 points) and Al Horford (17 points) practically carried the offensive load for the Celtics. Honestly, both Tatum and Horford should have been fed more in the 4th quarter.

The Celtics were up by as many as 12 in the first half and had a plethora of opportunities to increase that lead into the 20s. However, their inability to make shots (even open shots), ultimately decided the fate of this game.

The Celtics were in the bonus early in the 4th quarter, but they kept settling for outside shots (and kept missing), instead of taking it all the way to the rim. Like I said, we should be proud for an incredible season, but when you are this close, you can’t help but to feel disappointed.

It will be interesting to see what happens to Smart, who is the most lovable and aggravating player on the face of the planet.

Next: Boston Celtcs cannot rely on three pointers

Will the Celtics be willing to pay him? It will be interesting to see what Danny Ainge does and how he handles this situation. Nevertheless, it was a great season, the future is bright, and we will be back next year.

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