BSJ Game Report: Knicks 120, Celtics 117 (OT) - Celtics flip the switch a little too late

Everything you need to know about the Celtics overtime loss to the New York Knicks, with BSJ insight and analysis.

IN A NUTSHELL

The Celtics started hot both by attacking the rim and from beyond the arc, making it look like they were chasing another shooting record against the Knicks. But Julius Randle had a monster first quarter to keep the Knicks close after falling behind by 15. Immanuel Quickley had a big second quarter and Boston’s shots stopped falling, but Boston held onto a slim halftime lead. The third quarter was a disaster for Boston as their shots stopped falling, and that carried into the fourth quarter until the Celtics turned it on about halfway through when down 12. They ended up forcing overtime, but the Celtics were out-scored 10-2 to close the game. Tatum had a clean look that coud have won it in regulation, but missed.

Box Score

HEADLINES

The switch-flipping is becoming problematic: Much more on this later, but the Celtics' bad habits of turning their effort on and off is costing them here. Realistically, it’s very difficult to get through some of these segments of the season, but Joe Mazzulla said the team is getting bored with the little things, and that can’t stand. The Celtics could have tried flipping the switch earlier in the quarter because when they did actually start playing in the second half, they were amazing. 

Oh, Jaylen …: Jaylen Brown was going to be a hero of the game after he hit a go-ahead layup out of a timeout with 24.3 seconds to go. After Randle hit two free throws to take the lead, Brown was fouled with 7.6 seconds left -- but he missed both free throws. Instead of defending a one-point lead, the Celtics were forced to foul and then play for a desperation 3. 

“Tonight was a rough game, and I'm a better basketball player than I played today,” Brown said. “Those two missed free throws kind of embodied the whole game. I didn't get it going, didn't give my teammates enough energy to get the win, and that's what happens when you don't come out and give your best. I'll be better.”

Three losses in a row: The Celtics have lost three straight for only the second time this season, but this streak is making things a little tight in the standings. The Sixers are now within 2.5 games of first, setting up what could be a monster matchup with Philadelphia on February 8.

TURNING POINT

Jayson Tatum missed a well-defended layup attempt that would have given Boston a 7-point lead with three minutes to go. Instead, the Knicks got it to Randle, who buried a 3-pointer to cut it to 2. Malcolm Brogdon followed that up with a 3-pointer that missed badly. The Knicks went on a 6-0 run to take the lead heading into that Brown layup/missed free throw stretch. 

TWO UP

Jayson Tatum: Once he was named a starter, I thought he might have a big game. He played 40+ minutes again, and finished with 35 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 assists, plus a steal and a block. 

Robert Williams: Another 12 rebounds, and 5 more of those were offensive. I want to see a little more involvement of Williams in the offense, though. He only got 5 shots and 2 assists. He played 35 minutes, though, so the knee doesn’t seem to be holding him back. 

TWO DOWN

Grant Williams: A rough night all around. He was a negative on defense and was just 2-8 from the field. He needs to be a more consistent player. 

Jaylen Brown: He somehow managed 22 points out of this night, which is saying a lot about his ability. But 1-8 from 3 isn’t going to cut it. Now, 7-14 from 2 is okay (more on this in a second), but the two missed free throws are not. 

“I think for your own sanity (I have to) just let it go,” he said “Come out, keep playing basketball and come out and be a better version of yourself. I love this game, and I love the highs and the lows of it. It comes with it, so you don't shy away from it. You take it, you wear it and be better on the next one.”

The team has faith in him. 

“Everybody needs a pick-me-up, but we’ve got the utmost confidence in him,” Tatum said “I can’t bet on NBA games but I would bet everything I got he’s in that situation again he’d knock them both down. So just short-term memory, move on, and get ready for Saturday.”

TOP PLAYS

TWO TAKES KARALIS WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

- Jaylen Brown needs to alter his shot profile just a little bit. 

The 7.5 3-pointers per game he’s taking is a career-high. And I know Mazzulla is the great encourager of 3-pointers, but hear me out. 

Brown came into the game shooting 58.1% on 2-pointers. So if he took a hundred 2-pointers and hit them at that rate, he’d score 116.2 points. He’d have to shoot 38.7% on his 3-pointers to match that scoring rate. 

In his seven NBA seasons, he’s averaging 36.8% from deep, and he has surpassed 38.7% only twice. He got close a third season, but the evidence is pretty clear that while Brown can be good from 3, he’s probably not going to consistently give you 39% shooting. 

So with that said, Why not dial it back from 7.5 3-point attempts to 5.5 and be more aggressive in attacking and stopping and popping from mid-range spots where he’s awesome? Get to that 14-16 footer where he’s shooting nearly 55% if the drives to the rim are blocked off. 

And it’s not that I’m even looking for specific numbers. It’s that I’m just looking for him to play more to his strengths, which is driving the ball and pulling up in the middle of the lane against retreating defenders. 

And hey if there's a night where you’re hot from 3, then knock yourself out. In the meantime, I think the efficiency numbers show Brown’s shot profile needs some tweaking. He should start to make that adjustment.

- Consider tonight a point in favor of Joe Mazzulla in the Great Timeout Debate

Mazzulla called a timeout in the third quarter to stop a 7-0 Knicks run. The Knicks went on to out-score the Celtics 7-5 after that. 

In the fourth quarter, Tom Thibodeau called two timeouts, one after a White 3 made it 102-92. That got Jayson Tatum back into the game and the Celtics went on an 18-8 run to close the fourth. He called a second one in that run as well, but neither seemed to do much. 

I’m not saying this ends the discussion at all, but I am going to be fair and award Mazzulla points when he gets them. 

We want to see timeouts at certain times of the game because that's when we’ve always seen timeouts. And since everyone loves being right, we will harp on those times when Mazzulla is wrong about his timeout usage. 

That's fine. We get to score our points there as well. But fair is fair, and these are the types of runs Mazzulla is talking about to support his reasoning for letting players play.

This is why I think there's a balance to be struck. I think both sides have good points to make. But if we’re going to light into Mazzulla for it, we can’t ignore when it works in his favor. 

Next up: The Celtics host LeBron James and the Lakers Saturday night at 8:30