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Joe Mazzulla Discusses Celtics' Shot Selection After Long-Range Struggles in Loss vs. Knicks
In Monday night's 109-94 loss at Madison Square Garden, the Celtics consistently created quality looks from behind the arc. The problem was they often failed to capitalize, finishing 9/42 (21.4 percent) in an ice-cold performance from the three-point line.
In a stretch that lasted from early in the first frame until a Marcus Smart three with 1:36 left in the second quarter, Boston missed 15-straight long-range attempts.
Again, a lot of those were good shots, and the visitors produced 52 points in the paint to the Knicks' 42.
But when the result isn't changing, perhaps, it's best to diversify the portfolio. Those 42 threes account for 50 percent of the Celtics' shots.
It also didn't help that they went 11/14 at the free-throw line while New York took 34, making 23.
After the game, a defeat that bumps Boston to 44-18 and second in the East behind the Bucks (43-17) due to winning percentage, Joe Mazzulla expressed the following about his team's shot selection.
"I thought we missed a lot of good looks. Put pressure on our defense, they do a good job of putting pressure in the paint and free throws, and so if you can't make open shots, you constantly have to guard, paint threat, paint threat, paint threat, and they put a lot of pressure on our defense, but I just didn't think it was our night."
Further Reading
Joe Mazzulla's Message to the Celtics After Clinching Season Series vs. Sixers
Film Room: How the Celtics Defend Joel Embiid
[Film Room] What Worked for Celtics' Starters vs. Pacers and What Needs Addressing
