Monday night at TD Garden, the Boston Celtics suffered a surprising loss to the Utah Jazz. The former must focus on controlling the controllables. For instance, the hosts got outrebounded 46-22 in the final three quarters. That was despite the visitors being without starting center Walker Kessler.
There was also a stunning third quarter where, as the misses piled up, their effort dwindled.
"The third quarter, they got the best of us, and they played harder than us," Joe Mazzulla told Hardwood Houdini after his team's 105-103 loss. "It was a combination of just transition, offensive rebounds, and then some of their dribble-drive stuff, not being able to defend without fouling."
Those lapses led to Utah putting 38 points on the board while shooting 72.2 percent from the field in the third frame. That includes producing 20 points from inside the paint.
While the Celtics must focus on remedying those issues, the game was not without a controversy that could have swung the outcome in their favor.
The NBA's last two-minute report sides with the Celtics
In the final minute of the game, Boston had the ball and a 102-101 edge. As Jaylen Brown went to attack downhill, his defender, Keyonte George, fell to the floor. Brown then tripped over him as he began his drive. However, there was no whistle. Instead, the Jazz streaked in the other direction. Walter Clayton Jr. lofted a lob to Lauri Markkanen, and Utah suddenly found itself in front by one with under 45 seconds left.
"It's fourth quarter -- it's a minute left in the game, or less, and you completely -- the whole staff blows the [expletive] call. You know what I mean? It cost us the game. Like, unacceptable," said Jaylen Brown after the controversial ending.
"They [were] telling me like, 'Oh, like, we didn't see it.' Like, how [did] none of you see it? You can't trip somebody in the fourth quarter, and it just be a no-call. That's some [expletive]."
Brown may want to steer clear of the post-game pool report.
"The crew observed George slip and fall just prior to Brown slipping on the same spot, resulting in the ball becoming loose prior to any contact," explained referee Kevin Scott.
When asked if he reviewed the play after the game and whether he stands by his decision, Scott doubled down, declaring, "That's still my view after being on the floor in live play."
However, the NBA's last two-minute report disagrees.
"George [UTA] slips and falls into Brown's [BOS] path, tripping Brown," it reads, labeling the call incorrect.
While the Celtics may appreciate that, it doesn't change the outcome. The game didn't have to come down to a play like that either. If their effort is consistent, they can start preventing the quarters where they get gashed, perhaps finding their shooting rhythm to help combat that, and not getting dominated on the boards; they can avoid, or at least limit these scenarios moving forward.