The Boston Celtics watched shot after shot from behind the 3-point arc miss the mark on Monday, allowing the New York Knicks to claw their way back to win a thrilling Game 1.
After the game, Celtics guard Jaylen Brown had a harsh assessment of the team’s approach.
The Celtics missed an NBA playoff record 45 3-pointers in the 108-105 overtime loss in Game 1 of their playoff series, blowing a 20-point lead. Speaking to reporters after the game, Brown warned that as the top seed in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics need to work harder to generate opportunities on offense rather than just launching 3-pointers.
“We can’t just fire up threes to break up momentum. You gotta get to the free throw line, get to the paint, get to the basket,” Brown said.
Brown criticized his team for getting complacent in the second half, scoring just 39 points and not working hard to get good chances.
“I felt like we just settled in the second half a lot,” he said.
The Celtics were shorthanded after center Kristaps Porzingis had to leave the game due to an illness. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said after the game that his absence left a big hole, but said the team should have been able to rally in his absence.
“Obviously it impacts the game with his ability on both ends of the floor,“ Mazzulla said. ”It’s no excuse. We had plenty of opportunities. … Hopefully he’s ready for Game 2.”
Related: How Knicks Can Take Top Eastern Conference Seed
The Boston Celtics watched shot after shot from behind the 3-point arc miss the mark on Monday, allowing the New York Knicks to claw their way back to win a thrilling Game 1.
After the game, Celtics guard Jaylen Brown had a harsh assessment of the team’s approach.
The Celtics missed an NBA playoff record 45 3-pointers in the 108-105 overtime loss in Game 1 of their playoff series, blowing a 20-point lead. Speaking to reporters after the game, Brown warned that as the top seed in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics need to work harder to generate opportunities on offense rather than just launching 3-pointers.
“We can’t just fire up threes to break up momentum. You gotta get to the free throw line, get to the paint, get to the basket,” Brown said.
Brown criticized his team for getting complacent in the second half, scoring just 39 points and not working hard to get good chances.
“I felt like we just settled in the second half a lot,” he said.
The Celtics were shorthanded after center Kristaps Porzingis had to leave the game due to an illness. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said after the game that his absence left a big hole, but said the team should have been able to rally in his absence.
“Obviously it impacts the game with his ability on both ends of the floor,“ Mazzulla said. ”It’s no excuse. We had plenty of opportunities. … Hopefully he’s ready for Game 2.”
Related: How Knicks Can Take Top Eastern Conference Seed
