3 things the Celtics must do to end their Game 2 slump
The Celtics have lost a pair of Game 2's this postseason. Will the third time be the charm?
Despite having home court advantage throughout the playoffs, the Celtics have split the first two games of each series thanks to losses in Game 2.
Both were double-digit losses at TD Garden. The Celtics bounced back nicely each time, winning the next three games in each series.
Now Boston has the opportunity to take a 2-0 Eastern Conference finals lead over the Pacers on Thursday night.
Will the third time be the charm for postseason Game 2s? Here are three things the Celtics have to do to make it happen.
Be prepared for a 3-point barrage
Opponents have made a little more than half (36-of-71) of their 3-point attempts against the Celtics in Game 2s during this postseason.
Miami made the bulk of those, knocking down a playoff franchise-record 23 threes while Tyler Herro dished out 14 assists.
The Celtics vowed they would do a better job of defending the 3-point line after the game, and they did. Miami shot 23 percent (21-for-90) for the rest of the series.
Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland went a combined 9-for-12 from beyond the arc in Game 2 of the Cleveland series. Mitchell missed the final two games with a calf strain, and Garland was unable to duplicate that performance.
The Pacers are more than capable of catching fire from deep. They’re shooting a league-best 38 percent during the postseason, and are the only team left shooting a higher percentage than the Celtics. They outshot the Celtics in Game 1, and nearly stole the game. Expect Indiana to keep firing from the outside.
Have Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown set the tone on the glass
The Celtics are 9-0 this postseason when Jayson Tatum grabs 10 rebounds or more, and 0-2 when he doesn’t.
Boston was out-rebounded as a team in both losses, and Tuesday night in Game 1. Tatum has been the Celtics’ leading rebounder all postseason, and his work on the boards is crucial with Kristaps Porzingis out.
Boston has kept a short rotation with their bigs. Xavier Tillman and Neemias Queta have played sparingly. Luke Kornet is averaging 4.2 rebounds per game. Al Horford had a monster performance in Game 5 of the Cavs series with 15 rebounds.
But, the most of Boston’s rebounding production will likely come from the wings in this series. Tatum and Brown have to win those battles.
Keep the pressure up
The Pacers have the NBA’s highest-scoring and most efficient offense. They lead the league in points per game, offensive rating, and assist to turnover ratio.
Indiana had 21 turnovers in Game 1, which is nearly double their postseason average (11.6) and seven more than the Celtics had.
Boston got key stops in clutch moments, including two late turnovers from Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton.
The Celtics did a better job of getting stops and taking care of the basketball. They could use a similar effort Thursday night.
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