Before the season started, if you would've told me that at the midway point in the season that the Celtics (20-21) would be under .500, I would've told you that the sky would turn green.
Well, the unexpected has unraveled and here we are. As unfathomable as it may be, the Celtics are 8th in the Eastern Conference and sit under .500 through the first half of the regular season for the first time since...wait...last season -- that should give you some hope -- after falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 95-90.
Tonight was the Kyrie Irving show. The point guard scored a game-high 40 points on 16-of-24 from the floor. He also had 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals. He and Tristan Thompson scored 61 of the 95 Cleveland points.
The Celtics have now lost 4 straight with a big game against the Atlantic Division-leading New York Knicks on Thursday night.
Here's a recap:
The good:
* The Celtics executed their offense at the start of the game. They scored 53 first-half points and shot 48.8%.
* Avery Bradley's third-quarter block on Dion Waiters. Bradley hustled from the Celtics' basket all the way down to Cleveland's basket and blocked the shot just before Waiters was able to lay it in. A Tommy Point for sure.
* Kevin Garnett played exceptionally well in the first three quarters. He was 5-of-10 in 23 minutes. The problem was the fourth quarter.
* Boston outrebounded Cleveland, 48-39.
* Jared Sullinger finished with a double-double, 12 points and 10 rebounds in 26 minutes. Half of his rebounds came on the offensive glass. I think it might be time for Doc to seriously consider inserting Sullinger into the starting lineup.
* Although he forced a lot of passes and tried so hard to make things happen, Rajon Rondo had a decent game. He finished with a team-high 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists. Turnovers continue to haunt Rondo, as he finished with a team-high 5.
The bad:
* As Doc Rivers said after the game, "95 points is not a bad number." The problem was the offense. Boston shot a mere 38.1% for the game and 26.8% in the second half. Paul Pierce's cold streak continues as he was only 3-of-15 from the floor.
* Boston's offensive execution was very poor in the fourth quarter. Their spacing was bad, and they did not get great shots. In the team's current state, the blame goes to Doc. Rivers has to recognize that this team does not trust each other (as he said on Sunday night) and that he needs to guide them in the right direction.
* Cleveland dominated Boston in the paint, 46-28. Boston let Cleveland get to the rim at will. The Cavs got plenty of good looks right at the rim.
* Avery Bradley is not fully healthy. He is definitely not 100%, and that is evident in his play, especially on the defensive end. That has a huge impact on what goes on on the court.
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