Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Mazzulla Shares His Perspective on the Roots of the Celtics' Collapse vs. Nets
It's understood that no lead is safe in today's NBA. Even when a team builds a 28-point advantage, like the Celtics, playing on their home floor Friday, did against the Nets, the fact it happened in the first half undermined its value.
But just like the reasons for Boston growing a nearly 30-point lead matter, the reasons for Friday's collapse mean more than the fact it happened.
The Celtics played with considerable energy in the first frame, had excellent ball movement, and consistently capitalized on operating up-tempo.
But after the first roughly five minutes of the second quarter, the Nets, who had already shifted to a switch-heavy scheme defensively after losing the opening period 37-15, forced five turnovers, leading to seven points, and outscored the hosts 13-4 on the fast break.
Those transition opportunities helped Brooklyn find its rhythm after shooting 24 percent from the field in the first 12 minutes, including 2/11 from beyond the arc.
The visitors drilled 4/10 threes in the second quarter. In the final three frames, the Nets shot 12/33 (36.4 percent) from behind the arc.
As the Celtics lost focus, it opened the door their 28-point lead slipped out. Brooklyn outscored them 21-8 in the final 3:30 of the second frame.
The visitors outscored TD Garden's tenants in each of the final three periods, generating 100 points to the hosts' 68 in that stretch of their 115-105 win.
Mikal Bridges led the way for Brooklyn, registering a game-high 38 points. Cameron Johnson, who, like Jayson Tatum, celebrated his birthday Friday, did so in a far more enjoyable fashion, producing 20 points in the victory.
Boston's committing 19 turnovers, translating to 21 points for the Nets also led to Brooklyn taking 11 more shots, which helped the visitors hoist 14 more threes than the Celtics.
Surrendering 13 offensive rebounds, which turned into an 11-2 advantage in second-chance scoring, didn't help either. The same goes for the Nets going 21/26 at the free-throw line, while Boston went 14/20.
For a Celtics team that's repeatedly taken its foot off the gas this year, including almost blowing a 20-point lead vs. the Lakers in Los Angeles, and walking through the finish line at the end of their 117-113 win over the Cavaliers on Wednesday, losing focus has already resulted in putting more miles on Tatum's odometer.
It's an issue that shouldn't exist, should've gotten solved by now, and will cost them in the playoffs if not addressed.
After Friday's loss to the Nets, Celtics' head coach Joe Mazzulla shared his thoughts on the subject, including what he cites as the roots of Boston's inability to capitalize on its 28-point cushion.
"Throughout the year, we've done a good job of maintaining our composure and our poise for majority of the season. I think in moments like that, when the other team starts to play well and changes their mindset, you have to adjust to your environment; it's hard.
"More importantly than that, they beat us in every analytical category possible. And if we don't commit to the margins, no matter how hard we play, we're not gonna win. They got more threes up, they got more shots up, they got more free throws, they get more offensive rebounds, and they turned it over less.
"So, you can play as hard as you want, you're not gonna win with that. Because you let your foot off the gas, they make a couple (of) shots, they feel good, you have a couple (of) empty possessions, and then they start to see that it's a closer game. You have to put pressure on execution, and it's about the end games. (If) you don't end the quarter well, you give a team life; if you don't end a half well, you give a team life."
Further Reading
Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Loss vs. Nets: Boston Backslides at a Time It Needs to Tighten Up
Joe Mazzulla Speaks on Decision to Bench Grant Williams
Jayson Tatum Shares the Keys to His 41-Point Performance in Celtics Win vs. Cavaliers
A Top Celtics Free-Agent Target Signs Elsewhere, Where Does Boston Go from Here?
