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RJ Barrett’s buzzing 3-pointer ended a 25-point comeback for the Knicks towards the Celtics at Madison Sq. Backyard Thursday night time. That loss brings the Celtics to 18-21 for the season, the final time they have been over .500 in early December after they have been 13-12 years outdated.
The defeat made Boston solely the second workforce that season to surrender a 25-point lead, the opposite being arch-rivals of the Los Angeles Lakers.
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The Celtics have made a behavior of dropping shut matches this season after dropping 16 of their 23 clutch fights (inside 5 factors within the final 5 minutes of the sport). In any other case they’re 11-5.
“There’s a lack of psychological energy to battle your approach by means of these troublesome instances,” stated Celtics head coach Ime Udoka after the sport. “However it’s a missed shot throughout the board, a defensive mistake right here.”
“The boys get excited when it isn’t the tip of the world. They nonetheless have a 12 level lead and have to complete this run. They need to know the time and the factors.”
These feedback complement the workforce’s notable feedback after some notable losses this season.
Celtics feedback this season
Marcus Sensible on Tatum and Brown: “They do not wish to cross the ball on.”
Jaylen Brown on Al Horford’s feedback: “Look and look within the mirror? No.”
Ime Udoka on the workforce: “They lack psychological energy.” pic.twitter.com/IZwNxUo0kZ
– StatMuse (@statmuse) January 7, 2022
A lot of the Knicks’ comeback was attributable to a 21-3 run for practically seven minutes by the tip of the third quarter and the start of the fourth quarter.
Celtics heart Rob Williams, who completed with six factors, 9 rebounds and 7 blocks, totally agreed with the top coach.
“I really feel like he is 100% proper, to be sincere. We get tousled loads, particularly when confronted with adversity. We’ve to search out the battle inside ourselves to only come collectively.”
That recreation marked the fourth time Boston gave up a 19 or extra level lead and misplaced that season.
“I believe we get confused generally when you may cease it with a 6-0 run however you let it snow as a substitute,” added Udoka.
It is the offense that fights for the workforce. General, their offensive ranking ranks twenty second within the league, whereas their protection ranks seventh and twenty third within the offensive within the clutch.
Though Boston may have the chance to make use of its demons at residence towards the Knicks in a couple of days’ time, they face an issue extra problematic than their opponent – overcoming the strain.
This adversity will definitely decide your season. Both they’ll study to beat these issues because the season progresses, or they’ll proceed to sag beneath strain and fail to achieve the true potential of their squad.
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