"“They're so heavy on the 3-ball, P,” Garnett said to Pierce. “I know it saved you but it can also be - I think there's like two or three times that they've lost just like this where they didn't hit the three, you know what I'm saying.”"
"The Celtics have suffered three epic defeats over the last four seasons, losing to the 8th-seeded Heat after dropping the first three games in 2023, blowing two 20-point leads at home against the Knicks last year, and dropping the final three games after leading 3-1 against Philadelphia this year."
"This season marked the first time a Celtic team had blown a 3-1 lead in the playoffs. Garnett said the Celtics did not seem prepared to deal with 76ers star Joel Embiid, who came back from an emergency appendectomy to play the final four games of the series."
"“I was shocked that nobody read the game,” Garnett said. “The threes weren't falling, try to get to the cup, or get to some middies, or set up your layup package, or set up playmaking. I didn't see no adjustments to that. They just kept going with th”"
The Celtics have maintained a distinct offensive identity centered on three-point attempts, ranking among the league’s top four in attempts each year since 2021 and leading in two of the past three seasons. Boston won the 2024 NBA title, its 18th championship, the first since 2008. Garnett and Pierce discussed how the team’s heavy emphasis on threes can be both effective and risky when shots do not fall. Recent playoff defeats included losses after early series deficits, blown large leads, and a first-time 3-1 collapse. Garnett said the team appeared unprepared for Joel Embiid’s return and lacked adjustments, failing to create easier looks, attack the rim, or diversify scoring and playmaking options.
Read at Boston.com
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