The Portland Trail Blazers snapped the Boston Celtics’ four-game win streak on Sunday, Dec. 28. Joe Mazzulla’s team fell to a 114-108 defeat on the back of a poor shooting night that saw the Celtics go 13-of-44 from deep.
Boston held an eight-point lead at halftime; however, a poor third quarter left the team chasing the game in the fourth quarter, where it was unable to execute at its usual level.
When speaking to the media after the game, All-Star forward Jaylen Brown aired his frustration.
“Obviously, tonight kind of p—-s me off with how we executed down the stretch, but it’s an opportunity for growth,” Brown said, via NBC Sports Boston.
Boston’s offense has been its calling card all season. The team ranks fourth in the NBA in offensive rating and 14th in defensive rating. So when shots aren’t falling, the roster isn’t constructed to fall back on a stifling defense to squeeze out games. Fortunately, cold shooting nights like Sunday’s haven’t been too prominent this season.
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The Celtics have shot under 30% from deep just five times this season, winning just once in those outings. Still, as Brown noted, the loss to Portland is a good lesson for the Celtics, especially the younger members of their rotation, as the Trail Blazers have solid defenders with great size. Learning how to break down a team like Portland will be key to the Celtics’ overall evolution.
Despite the loss, Boston sits third in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors are one game back, while the Knicks are 3.5 games ahead in second.
Boston will undoubtedly want to get straight back into the win column when it faces the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, Dec. 30.
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Featured image via Matt Blewett/Imagn Images
