Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Here's Kristaps Porzingis' Take on Clock Controversy at End of Celtics' Loss to Hornets
The Boston Celtics blew a golden opportunity to push their winning streak to seven, falling in overtime to the Charlotte Hornets after holding a nine-point lead with two minutes remaining.
Jayson Tatum was the story of the first half, tying his career-high for a first half with 31 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. It's the first time that was recorded since 1996-97.
The visitors maintained a lead over Charlotte, but in the second half, the hosts continued to claw back, making it a one-possession game. In the first half, Tatum had 31 points on 15 field-goal attempts; in the second half, he had 14 points on 13 field-goal attempts.
While the Hornets did play him well in the second half, Boston needed to get Tatum his looks and needed him to be more aggressive. He finished with 45 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and two blocks.
After the four-time All-Star hit a three to put the Celtics up 116-114 with under a minute left in overtime, Gordon Hayward dunked off a backdoor cut with Tatum guarding him.
Miles Bridges then hit a three to give Charlotte a 119-116 lead. As Tatum rose up to tie it, Hayward fouled him. He made his first two, and when his last one rimmed out and the Hornets got the rebound, an extra few seconds went off the clock. It looked like Boston lost about two extra ticks.
With 0.8 left, the Celtics' inbounds pass got picked off, dashing their last hopes of forcing double overtime and snapping their six-game win streak.
Jay King of The Athletic reported that Kristaps Porzingis said they "definitely" should have had more time after that last foul.
"I guess the whistle was late; that's why the time kept going. I don't know; they had some explanation, but it was during the game, and I was like, 'Ok, it just looks like we're going to keep going.' There definitely should have been more time on the clock, I felt like, but we had many opportunities to finish it out before that and we didn't. So, we cannot blame it on that small detail that happened."
The Celtics, especially after the last few games, know they have to do a better job of not taking teams lightly and not taking their foot off the gas.
"We are talented, and because of that, sometimes you can win games just based off of that," said Porzingis, per the Boston Globe's Adam Himmelsbach. "We don't want to become that."
The C's will look to get back to their winning ways when they take on the Milwaukee Bucks at TD Garden on Wednesday night.
Further Reading
Jayson Tatum Shares His Assessment of Celtics Collapse vs. Hornets
Celtics Stumble in Charlotte as Hornets Snap Their Six-Game Win Streak
Here's What Stood Out as Celtics Survive vs. Shorthanded Grizzlies
Kristaps Porzingis Explains Why Celtics Have NBA's Best Clutch Record
Here's What Stood Out as Celtics Weather the Storm to Prevail vs. Raptors
Jaylen Brown Blasts In-Season Tournament Court After Injury in Celtics’ Win vs. Raptors
Celtics Discuss Significance of Rivalry Win vs. 76ers for No. 1 Seed in East
Joe Mazzulla Believes Celtics' Second Unit is 'Starting to Develop an Identity'
Kristaps Porzingis Discusses Chemistry with Jaylen Brown: 'I Love Playing with Him'
Kristaps Porzingis Gives Glimpse of How He'll Boost Celtics Late-Game Offense
Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present
