Jayson Tatum has publicly accepted blame for his poor efficiency within the Boston Celtics’ 0-2 collection deficit towards the New York Knicks, vowing enchancment for Saturday’s essential Sport 3. Tatum addressed his taking pictures woes throughout Thursday’s media availability following staff movie periods.
Tatum has shot simply 29% from the sphere (12-of-42) and 25% from three-point vary (5-of-20) by means of two video games. He has tried solely 9 free throws whereas committing eight turnovers within the collection. Tatum had a PER of 29.1 within the first spherical and simply 11.2 within the first two video games of the second spherical.
“I take full possession of the best way that I’ve performed on this collection and might’t sugarcoat something,” Tatum stated Thursday. “I have to be higher, and I anticipate to be rather a lot higher.”
The Celtics have collectively struggled from past the arc, changing solely 25% of their three-point makes an attempt (25-of-100). This marks a big departure from their regular-season taking pictures efficiency that helped them safe 61 wins.
Fourth Quarter Execution Issues
Tatum and teammate Jaylen Brown have been notably ineffective in clutch conditions, taking pictures a mixed 2-of-19 in fourth quarters. The Knicks have outscored Boston by 22 factors in ultimate quarters, overcoming 20-point deficits in each video games.
Joe Mazzulla acknowledged Tatum’s accountability whereas emphasizing team-wide accountability. “It is a credit score to [Tatum], I do not assume that I admire the truth that he would [take responsibility], however I believe it is on all people,” Mazzulla stated.
Thursday’s movie session targeted on sustaining confidence and aggressive play regardless of taking pictures struggles. The staff particularly addressed not passing up open pictures that match inside their offensive system.
“You may’t lose your confidence,” Tatum said, reinforcing the strategy that helped Boston seize final season’s championship and set three-point taking pictures data.
The Celtics additionally face uncertainty relating to heart Kristaps Porzingis, who has been restricted by respiratory points. Porzingis performed simply 14 minutes in Sport 3 regardless of contributing eight factors and 4 rebounds in his restricted motion.
