The Boston Celtics had all the momentum and almost every voice in TD Garden with them when Game 7 started on Monday. However, they disappointed everyone in the building with what they showed up with. Jayson Tatum and Co had the chance to create history last night, but could not, all because of their poor shooting and stubbornness. Former Heat and Celtics’ big man, Shaquille O’Neal, was sick of their persistence to keep shooting 3s.
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The Celtics lived and died by the 3-point line throughout the series. They won Games 4, 5, and 6 even after shooting volume 3s and not converting many of them even after losing Games 1, 2, and 3 because of it. Their refusal to shoot more and drive less wasn’t anything new. It came from the encouragement of Head Coach Joe Mazzulla.
Another moment I found interesting today: Joe Mazzulla defending the #Celtics’ shot selection. He wants the quick attempts & 3PT volume Boston generated last night. But over about ~100 3PA in a short series, the 3s are not there.
Key Q: does team believe in this philosophy? pic.twitter.com/PWF1oslBUa
— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) May 22, 2023
Mazzulla pretty much revived their form late in February through his advice to the team to shoot more 3s and so he stuck with it.
But probably apart from him, it didn’t sit well with anybody else.
Shaquille O’Neal blasts Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the Celtics for shooting a lot of 3s
More than the Heat’s resilience, it was poor shooting from the Celtics that kept them out of the contest right from the starting whistle of Game 7. They went 0-of-10 in the 1st quarter but kept bricking it throughout the game, instead of taking it to the basket more often.
They finished the game with 9-of-42 shooting from the 3-point line. And quite deservingly, got a thrashing by Shaquille O’Neal and the rest of the TNT crew.
“When my team goes 0 for 10 in the first quarter, you know what I’m telling everybody? ‘Don’t shoot another three, or I’m punching your face,’” said Shaq on Inside the NBA.
Charles Barkley added to it by saying how they should have been relying upon easy shots, rebounding, and defense to win games, than tough shots. Both Shaq and Kenny Smith agreed to that take as well.
The Celtics were one of the best defensive teams throughout the season. However, they also relied too much on tough shot-making by Tatum and Brown. And their Playoffs, which should have ended in Game 6 in Philly, ended last night in Boston because of them sticking to it. Tatum was 1-of-3 while Brown converted just one of his NINE shots.
Jimmy Butler did it the right way
Under every bit of pressure there could’ve been, Butler and Caleb Martin led the Heat team and dug out of the hole they had put themselves in. And they did it purely through teamwork, unlike their opponents.
After the game, Jimmy Buckets, who scored a game-high 28 points and won the ‘Larry Bird’ Eastern Conference Finals Player of the Year for it, had some kind words for his team.
Like they outshone the star power of the Celtics, they have the resilience to win 4 more games to win the ultimate reward. Let’s see if they could do it against Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray-led Nuggets.
