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Boston Celtics: C’s New Year’s resolution should be to fix 4th quarter flaws

By Dylan Thompson

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 22: (EDITORS NOTE: This image was created using a special effects filter.) Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the fourth quarter of the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on December 22, 2021 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. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 22: (EDITORS NOTE: This image was created using a special effects filter.) Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the fourth quarter of the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on December 22, 2021 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. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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While they most recently saw yet another second-half collapse against the Minnesota Timberwolves Monday night, December 25, 2021, was the moment the Boston Celtics broke the hearts of their fans with another blown fourth-quarter lead against the Milwaukee Bucks. Spoiling Christmas Day was the tip of the iceberg for C’s fans like myself.

It highlights a problem that has plagued this team in recent seasons as they are unable to close games in the fourth quarter. Heading into the new year, Boston needs to fix their fourth-quarter problems.

The shamrocks have been a poor fourth-quarter team this season, and they have blown multiple leads.

According to Brian Robb, some of their blown leads include a 13-point advantage against the Bucks with 5:29 left, up seven against the 76ers with 3:40 left, up seven against the Spurs with 3:00 left, and up six against the Wizards with 2:25 left.

This continues to be a problem for the Boston Celtics and Christmas Day against the Bucks highlighted this, as their offense became stagnant and they were unable to stop the Bucks.

This season, the Cs are 4-11 in games that have been within three points in the final two minutes. This is a result of their poor offense in the fourth quarter.

The Boston Celtics rely heavily on isolation basketball in the fourth quarter, and it causes problems because they create poor looks. Currently, they rank 18th in the NBA in fourth-quarter scoring, and they are 27th in average fourth-quarter margin.

I blame Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown for these issues as they rely heavily on isolation in the final period.

Tatum has been a problem in the fourth quarter for the Celtics as he fails to make his teammates better. Although the All-Star leads the NBA in fourth-quarter scoring with 222 points, he has struggled in the clutch.

Despite being excellent down the stretch last season, Tatum has struggled to produce when it matters most this year.

The Cs need to fix their fourth-quarter problems, and it starts with Tatum and Brown.

They need to start running an offense in the fourth quarter and not rely heavily on isolation basketball. Boston can’t afford to squander more leads this season as the Eastern Conference playoff race is tight, and you never know what players you might lose to COVID-19.

As 2022 approaches, the Celtics can start to make up some ground in the playoff race if they start closing games in the fourth quarter.

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