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Boston Celtics: 3 takeaways from C’s gut-punching loss in Cleveland

By Andrew DiIorio

CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 13: Darius Garland #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics during the first half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on November 13, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 13: Darius Garland #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics during the first half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on November 13, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Boston Celtics takeaway No. 2) Depth issues

Boston was without Brown, Al Horford, and Josh Richardson in this one, and although all three of them are expected to be back soon, their absence was felt.

Grant Williams slid into the starting lineup, while the bench struggled to find any source of offense, looking towards Jabari Parker, Aaron Nesmith, and even Juancho Hernangomez.

This bench lineup surrendered practically the entire 19 point lead at the end of the third and start of the fourth quarter, letting Cleveland back in the game.

With no Brown, the Boston Celtics don’t have the option to stagger the two Jays in order to not have to play entire bench units in important minutes.

Ultimately, the bench scored a total of 15 points on 5-20 shooting. That’s not going to be good enough barring a nuclear performance from Jayson Tatum.

With Tatum still trying to find himself, Dennis Schroder has been trying to pick up the slack, but even he couldn’t score down the stretch on Saturday night.

Many are blaming coach Udoka for the lineups that were on the floor during the Cavs’ runs, but he didn’t have much of a choice. Both Tatum and Schroder needed rests at the time, and with the remaining players available, there aren’t many other options for the Celtics to play.

Maybe Enes Kanter could’ve gotten a shot to get some easy looks at the rim?

Ultimately, these bench units are going to have to knock down their shots for Boston to become a successful offense.

The likes of Nesmith and Payton Pritchard have shown the ability to knock down shots at a high clip in their young careers, but have both gotten out to slow starts in the 2021-22 season.

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