The Boston Celtics offseason has officially begun following a Game 7 loss Monday night at TD Garden. Battling back from an 0-3 series deficit was an admirable effort, but Boston’s Eastern Conference finals comeback ultimately fell short with a 103-84 loss to the Miami Heat. As such, the business of bringing home an eighteenth banner remains unfinished for the Celtics.
Poor defense and worse shooting doomed Boston from the jump, and the Celtics could neither buy a basket nor consistently slow down the Heat. Jimmy Butler led the way for Miami, logging 28 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals. On the other side of the action, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for just 33 points on a 2-for-13 performance from deep and 39% shooting overall. It was a perfect storm in all the wrong ways for the Celtics.
Evening up the series was a major feat in and of itself. Boston is one of only four teams to ever even force a Game 7 after being down 0-3 in NBA history. Still, the loss ushers in an offseason period that could bring significant change for the Celtics. For now, here’s your game recap for Boston’s 103-84 Game 7 loss.
Boston's offense
Across the board, it was an icy start for the Celtics. Boston shot 38.6% from the field and went 4-for-21 on 3-pointers, with 7 turnovers to boot in the first half. The home team looked out of sorts early, dropping a season-low 41 points at halftime.
The second half looked a lot like the first. Save a 13-point scoring outburst from Derrick White in the third period, Boston’s offense was clunky and ineffective. For the game, the Celtics shot 9-for-42, the fourth game of the series where they shot below 30% from deep. Coughing up 15 turnovers didn’t help either.
Boston lost Game 7 of the 2018 East Finals in an eerily familiar fashion. The Celtics traded blows with the Cleveland Cavaliers in a grueling series, only to shoot a paltry 7-for-39 from deep in the final game. Tonight’s action had an similar feel, with the Celtics unable to get into gear.
It’s a make or miss league, as they say. But it’s also a league where star power is the ultimate currency.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown had miserable nights. Tatum logged 14 points, far too few to get Boston over the hump. Brown, meanwhile, finished with just 19 points and 8 turnovers. Boston had a chance to do the impossible in Game 7, but instead the two Celtics stars came up short.
Boston's defense
With the season on the line, the Celtics got a little too relaxed on defense against a team willing and able to take advantage. The Heat have often been the more aggressive club, amplifying Boston’s unforced errors. All series long we saw Miami punish any defensive lapses from Boston.
Game 7 was no different.
In the stretches where the Celtics did manage to string some offensive flow together, the Heat usually answered with a basket of their own. And because Miami was so effective shooting the ball, this neutered Boston’s chances of getting into gear. The visiting team finished the game 50% from beyond the 3-point line.
Boston’s scoring effort was fully inadequate. But the defensive end was where the battle was lost. Credit Jimmy Butler and co. for pouncing on a team not playing even close to its potential.
Looking ahead
Boston is now headed for what could be a complicated summer. Several major questions may loom large.
First, there will be conversations about Joe Mazzulla. His in-game strategies and rotations were subject to criticism all postseason long. It’s unclear if either the Celtics front office or team ownership has an appetite for a fourth head coach in as many seasons, however.
Likewise, moving on from Mazzulla doesn’t alleviate some of the other concerns facing this team, chief among those a possible contract dispute with Jaylen Brown. The All-NBA forward can ink a hefty 5-year, $295 million extension this summer, far more than he could get if he opts to hit free agency in 2024. Still, after such a deflating ending to this Eastern Conference finals, nothing is guaranteed. There will be other roster changes to consider as well.
The offseason has officially begun. Hold on to your butts.
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