Tuesday night, in their opener with the Miami Heat, the Celtics were able to make enough stops and hit enough big shots down the stretch to come away with an 88-80 win over LeBron James and Co.
The game before that, however, last year’s finale, they weren’t as lucky. That, of course, was Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals, a game the Celtics held a 57-53 lead over the Lakers heading into the fourth quarter.
Just 12 minutes from Banner No. 18, the Celtics saw their lead melt away in a fourth quarter in which the Lakers outscored the Celtics, 30-22.
It was the culmination of a disturbing trend for the Celtics in a season in which they frequently lost second-half leads.
As exciting as Tuesday night’s opener was, the Celtics did flirt with giving away what was another big lead at one point. The Heat, behind James’ impressive third quarter, battled back, before the Celtics persevered in the fourth.
It was only one game, and saying that the trend will continue into the majority of this year after just one game is indeed a bit premature.
However, with the Celtics’ roster built the way that it is, questioning their ability to hold leads is worthwhile.
If you buy into the idea that stamina played a factor in their second-half troubles last season, then their offseason moves probably aren’t easing any of their concerns. The Celtics somehow got a little bit older this offseason, something that may also hurt them when it comes to holding leads.
Throw in the fact that Shaquille O’Neal and his poor free-throw shooting may be on the court late in the games, at least until Kendrick Perkins returns, and it’s another late-game concern for the C’s.
The tendency to lose leads late is something that disippated some in the playoffs, until it reared its ugly head when it mattered most. For that reason, it’s something to at least be cautious of, if not concerned.
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Tuesday, Oct. 26: How will the Celtics finish the 2010-11 season?
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