3 measuring stick games???

[jadams5214]

Well if the last 3 games are a true measuring stick, and the Celtics lost all 3 with total second half collapses then this team is in trouble...

Orlando --- a huge lead in a game where the Celtics dominated for the most part.  They collapsed in the 2nd half and couldn't even protect a 3 point lead with under a minute left.  They failed to get the key stops or score the key basket to put the game away.

Atlanta ---  great comeback in the 3rd period by going inside and getting to the foul line.  The C's then proceed to play a miserable 4th quarter by shooting jumpers and failing to defend the Hawks two scorers.  A 4th quarter collapse.

Lakers --- playing at home against a team on a long road trip, the C's once again have a sizable lead in the second half.  They proceed to get stagnant offensively and give the lead back.  They once again fail miserably down the stretch by not getting the key stop or making the winning basket.

The formula for this team's recent play is painfully clear.  They get out to big leads and totally collapse in the second halves.  They get beaten down the stretch in crucial situations night after night.  This veteran team with 3 future Hall of Famers, another all star, and 2 time NBA coach of the year HAS to be able to execute better down the stretch.  Using the last 3 games as an example, the Celtics offense has disappeared in the 4th quarter each night and they have failed to get the key stops when needed.

Why is it that they constantly give up the game tying 3 pointer, allow an easy drive, foul at the worst time,  miss clutch free throws, fail to score when the game is on the line --- these issues happen far too often to dismiss as a fluke or bad luck.  Championship caliber teams do not lose big leads and blow games with pitiful 3rd or 4th quarters consistently.  It obviously is in the Celtics and their opponents heads now --- in crunch time the opposing team is confident they will find a way to pull the game out while the Celtics appear nervous, unsure and just waiting for something bad to happen.

There is still time left in this season as the one clear thing about this team is they fight hard and NEVER give up.  Having that foundation shows that they can and want to get better.  The key question is what needs to change for that to happen???

Hopefully Danny, Doc and the team figure it out before playoff time or it will most assuredly be another early playoff exit...

[wdleehi]

1) Health

2) Finding certain players missing shots

3) All the Celtics players playing well at once

[Roy Hobbs]

Well, if they're measuring stick games, we're not in that bad of a shape, I guess.  We were competitive in all of them, with the Hawks came the only one where we didn't hold a fourth quarter lead (the closest we were was within one). 

Since the team is massively out of sync right now, with Daniels out and KG, BBD, and Ray all slumping / rusty, I don't think the results are that bad.  I expect significantly better play over the next couple of months, as the team starts to play up to its potential.