The Celtics’ Late-Game Struggles
Creator: Matt Stone | Credit: BH | Copyright: Copyright - 2020 Boston Herald, MediaNews
The Celtics are currently 10-7 and sit in the middle of the playoff race in the Eastern Conference. They’ve dealt with a bunch of injuries, including having to be without two of their All-Star caliber players for long periods of time, but regardless, one could argue that they should have a better record at this point. There have been defensive issues, turnover problems, and some others, but the most important issue that must be addressed is their inability to close out games.
In the first quarter, the Celtics are top 12 in field goal percentage (47.7%), number one in the NBA in first-quarter three-point percentage (44.5%), and sit in the middle of the pack in terms of points per first quarter (28.3). In the second quarter, the Celtics hop into the top ten in field goal percentage (47.7%), still have a solid three-point percentage (38.2%), and are 12th in points per second quarter (28.5). After that, though, things get a little weird.
Most people associate the Celtics with being one of the worst third quarter teams in the NBA, but that’s just not the case at all. Boston is actually tied for first in the league in terms of scoring output in the third quarter (30.2), have the number one field goal percentage (51.6%), and are still in the middle of the league in three-point percentage (16th in the NBA, 37.5%). The fourth quarter is where everything goes downhill.
In terms of points scored in the fourth quarter, the Celtics are in the bottom six in the entire league (25.6). The only teams below them are the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons, and Phoenix Suns. The C’s are also bottom five in the league in field goal percentage in the fourth (42.1%) and bottom six in the league in three-point percentage in the fourth (31.3%). Last of all, to make matters worse, the Celtics are also fifth-worst in the league in opponent points in the fourth quarter, allowing 28.1 a game.
Other fourth-quarter stats include assists (last in the league; 4.3), turnovers (fourth-most; 4.1), and fouls drawn (fifth least; 5.1). Boston has been spending so much time pushing the narrative that the C’s are a bad third-quarter team when in reality it’s the fourth quarter that’s the problem. They’re one of the best third quarter teams and by far one of the worst fourth-quarter teams.
With that in mind, here are some notable player stats in regards to both of those quarters:
Jaylen Brown
Third quarter stats: 10.5 min (team-high), 9.4 pts
Fourth quarter stats: 7.7 min, 5.4 pts
Jayson Tatum
Third quarter stats: 9.2 mins, 7.4 points
Fourth quarter stats: 8.9 mins, 6.6 points
Marcus Smart
Third quarter stats: 9.5 mins, 3.6 pts, 2.2 ast
Fourth quarter stats: 7.7 mins, 2.8 pts, 0.9 ast
Daniel Theis
Third quarter stats: 7.3 mins, 2.5 pts, 1.8 reb
Fourth quarter stats: 4.5 mins, 1.5 pts, 1.2 reb
Tristan Thompson
Third quarter stats: 6.8 mins, 1.8 pts, 2.6 reb
Fourth quarter stats: 6.0 mins, 1.5 pts, 1.9 reb
Looking at these stats, maybe the key to winning basketball games is just to play Brown every minute of every game. Is the x-factor Theis? Smart? Whatever it is, the Celtics need to figure this issue out if they want to remain a top contender.
