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 capturing woes throughout Thursday’s media availability following crew movie periods.
Tatum has shot simply 29% from the sphere (12-of-42) and 25% from three-point vary (5-of-20) via 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 may’t sugarcoat something,” Tatum mentioned Thursday. “I have to be higher, and I count on to be lots 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 major departure from their regular-season capturing efficiency that helped them safe 61 wins.
Fourth Quarter Execution Issues
Tatum and teammate Jaylen Brown have been notably ineffective in clutch conditions, capturing a mixed 2-of-19 in fourth quarters. The Knicks have outscored Boston by 22 factors in closing 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 respect the truth that he would [take responsibility], however I believe it is on all people,” Mazzulla mentioned.
Thursday’s movie session targeted on sustaining confidence and aggressive play regardless of capturing struggles. The crew particularly addressed not passing up open photographs that match inside their offensive system.
“You’ll be able to’t lose your confidence,” Tatum said, reinforcing the strategy that helped Boston seize final season’s championship and set three-point capturing information.
The Celtics additionally face uncertainty concerning 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.