The reason the Warriors beat us

[Chris22]

We did not get back on defense or block out on the boards.

This is basic high school basketball stuff.

[PhoSita]

34 - 15

That's the free throw disparity.

The Celts lost by 4.

There's your reason.

(To be clear, I'm not blaming the refs)

[GreenEnvy]

I was at the game so didn’t get to see too many angles as to whether Horford actually got him, but those 3 free throws seemed huge in the moment and obviously made the difference.

I’m not going to harp on the missed rebound because from what I recalled we boxed out and crashed relatively well, it just took an unfortunate bounce. Sometimes it happens.

I also think if Mook didn’t hesitate on that 3PA, he had a better shot at making it.

[ozgod]

Made mistakes at key moments and turned the ball over twice at the end of the game.

[Androslav]

They scored more points, right? 

[Moranis]

They are better.

[Roy H.]

They are better.

That’s the simplest reason, but there were self-inflicted wounds:

1. Bringing the bench in too early, matching them up with GS starters in the first half. That was followed by keeping Horford and Tatum on the bench too long;

2. Some bad turnovers in the fourth quarter;

3. Failing to box out on that last rebound.

[10610786d]

They are better.

That’s the simplest reason, but there were self-inflicted wounds:

1. Bringing the bench in too early, matching them up with GS starters in the first half. That was followed by keeping Horford and Tatum on the bench too long;

2. Some bad turnovers in the fourth quarter;

3. Failing to box out on that last rebound.

In a game where Curry and Durant both played just under 40, Kyrie was the only one who played over 35 minutes. This is followed by Horford at 35.

There's a myriad of reasons why this might be (I would note here Horford has been injured and has been on a minutes restriction). But interesting to see how the minutes are distributed as the season progresses.

[iadera]

Because we are Haywardless...

[Celtics4ever]

CBS kept Tatum out too long...

[RockinRyA]

They are better.

That’s the simplest reason, but there were self-inflicted wounds:

1. Bringing the bench in too early, matching them up with GS starters in the first half. That was followed by keeping Horford and Tatum on the bench too long;

2. Some bad turnovers in the fourth quarter;

3. Failing to box out on that last rebound.

I disagree with the 3rd one, because they actually boxed them out. The one who got the rebound was the freethrow shooter who wasn't even looking to rebound the ball. It was a lucky bounce and a mistake by Smart.

[td450]

They are better.

That’s the simplest reason, but there were self-inflicted wounds:

1. Bringing the bench in too early, matching them up with GS starters in the first half. That was followed by keeping Horford and Tatum on the bench too long;

2. Some bad turnovers in the fourth quarter;

3. Failing to box out on that last rebound.

I disagree with the 3rd one, because they actually boxed them out. The one who got the rebound was the freethrow shooter who wasn't even looking to rebound the ball. It was a lucky bounce and a mistake by Smart.

There was only one possible reason not to have another player on the blocks to block out the shooter, and that was if they planned to run off the rebound and not call timeout and let the defense set. Since Smart crashed the boards from the outside, that was obviously not the plan. That play was a pretty huge fundamental screwup.

[Chris22]

I was at the game so didn’t get to see too many angles as to whether Horford actually got him, but those 3 free throws seemed huge in the moment and obviously made the difference.

I’m not going to harp on the missed rebound because from what I recalled we boxed out and crashed relatively well, it just took an unfortunate bounce. Sometimes it happens.

I also think if Mook didn’t hesitate on that 3PA, he had a better shot at making it.

I wasn't talking about boxing on a free throw. Everyone does that.

I was talking about boxing out during the course of play, which we almost never do, and that boils down to poor coaching.

[PhoSita]

I really don't understand why people are so focused on a single box out (which wouldn't have won the game) when the biggest number that jumps out when you look at the team stats is the HUGE disparity in free throws.

In virtually every category the Celts were neck and neck with the Warriors or ahead.

The Celts actually hit 15 threes compared to 12 for the Warriors.  The Celts attempted 99 field goals to the Warriors' 83 and made 41 field goals to 39.

Turnovers were 15-14.  Rebounds were 58-52.  The Celts had a +4 advantage in offensive boards.



34 free throw attempts to 15 free throw attempts.

29 free throws made versus 14 free throws made.


FIFTEEN POINTS in a game that the Warriors won by 4.


That's your ballgame.  You can't beat a great team if they get to the line nearly twice as often as you do, no matter how well you play otherwise.

[86MaxwellSmart]

just watched the game on the DVR, without emotions...the reason we lost was because we missed our last 3 shots. VERY Winnable game.