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

Boston Celtics Takeaway No. 3) Late-game execution

The late-game execution from the Boston Celtics left lots to be desired in the fourth quarter of this one. They were outscored 29 to 15 in the final period, as they were not able to string together any sort of offense.

Down two with under ten seconds to go, Udoka opted to have Schroder try to take advantage of the slow-footed Cedi Osman by getting him downhill towards the basket.

That didn’t work, with the point guard having to settle for a difficult fadeaway which fell short.

The Boston Celtics have fallen again and again into the late-game isolation trap that has plagued them throughout this season – when your offense has been successful all game by moving the ball and finding the open man, why do you change it in the most important possession of the game?

Furthermore, with a team just coming off an overtime game the previous night, why are you taking a difficult shot for a possibility of the fifth overtime on this young season?

In that situation, getting either Tatum or Schroder the ball downhill is a reasonable thought, but they should be looking to kick it out to an open shooter, with a 3-pointer to either win or go home.

From a raw numbers perspective, the Cs hit four of their 13 shots, gave up four offensive rebounds, and recorded seven turnovers in the final 12 minutes.

Tatum and Schroder both went 2-6 from the field, with Rob Williams having the only other shot attempt.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have one of the best defenses in the league early on in the season, but Boston seemingly lifted the foot off the gas pedal, becoming sloppy with the ball, unable to create any separation or open looks.

Schroder and Tatum have defaulted to the two ball-handlers down the stretch with Jaylen out, and were the main reason for the C’s struggles, combining for five turnovers in the fourth.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Boston Celtics failed to close out any possessions — they forced a considerable amount of misses, but couldn’t get the rebound when it mattered, allowing two offensive boards in the last minute of the game.

If the Celtics make a more concerted effort into defensive rebounding at the end of games, collapses of this nature will happen less and less, as offensive rebounds and second-chance points swing momentum more than anything else.

Sometimes teams go cold in the worst possible times. However, the problem with this team in closing out games has been securing rebounds and taking care of the basketball. Limit those problems, and the C’s should be on pace for a decently successful season.

In isolation, games like this do happen. But for it to happen twice in the first 13 games of the season is certainly concerning, especially considering last year’s campaign.

Get back to .500 on Monday against these same Cavs, and we’ll take it from there.