The Boston Celtics, fueled by the return of Jayson Tatum from a wrist injury, led by as many as 12 points early on in Game 3 of its first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic.
Unfortunately for the defending NBA champions, however, that fuel didn’t last.
Boston scored a season-low 11 points during the third quarter of Friday night’s bout in Orlando, and despite having a chance to force overtime on a desperation play with .3 seconds remaining, was left wondering “what if” followings its 95-93 loss. The Celtics now lead the best-of-seven series, 2-1, with Game 4 slated for Sunday in Orlando.
“We just got stagnant,” Tatum told reporters of his team’s play in the third quarter. “Something we’re going to watch film on tomorrow. We’ve just got to play with some more pace and movement. That’s just when we’re at our best.”
Tatum, who missed his first-ever playoff game in Game 2 following a wrist injury suffered in the series opener, was listed as doubtful earlier in the day before managing his way into the starting lineup. The six-time All-Star finished with a game-high 36 points to complement his nine rebounds and four assists.
“Just dealing with pain tolerance,” Tatum said of his effort following the game. “The treatment and stuff has been progressing every day, and I felt like I could try to go out there and play.”
Despite Tatum’s strong return, the Celtics were plagued by an uncharacteristic 19 turnovers. Making matters worse for the visiting team, Boston was unable to settle into a rhythm from beyond the arc, finishing a dismal 9-for-27.
Aside from Tatum, only two other Celtics scored in double figures, as both Jaylen Brown (19 points, six rebounds) and Derrick White (16 points, five assists) made their impact felt on both ends of the floor. Meanwhile, Kristaps Porzingis (seven points) continued to struggle with his shot, and NBA Sixth Man of the Year winner Payton Pritchard (three points) finishing 1-of-2 shooting in 26 minutes.
Franz Wagner led Orlando with 32 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, followed by Paolo Banchero (29 points, six rebounds) and Wendell Carter, Jr. (10 points, 12 rebounds).
“They obviously upped their ball pressure at the point of attack — full court and half court,” Mazzulla told reporters. “They didn’t accept switches as easy. So, I would say you have to give credit to them for their defensive physicality, but we also had some [plays] that we have to be better at.”
That physicality, which has led to a Tatum wrist injury (in Game 1) and a bloody gash in Porzingis’s forehead (in Game 2), has led some players to start talking openly about retaliation — at least in terms of upping the physicality even further.
“There might be a fight break out or something because it’s starting to feel like it’s not even basketball, and the refs are not controlling their environment,” Brown said after Friday’s game. “So, it is what it is. If you want to fight it out, we can do that. We can fight to see who goes to the second round.”
While the Celtics will be in front of a hostile crowd when Game 4 tips off Sunday, it shouldn’t be surprising if it’s the visitors — fueled by a rare playoff loss and calls to match Orlando’s physicality — who jump out to an early lead. The question, once again, will be whether or not that fuel lasts.
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