Jayson Tatum missed a 3-pointer that would have given the Celtics the lead in the final minute Thursday night, punctuating a poor performance in a 115-109 loss to Denver.
DENVER — For the second time this week, and for the second time this season against the Denver Nuggets, Jayson Tatum had the ball in his hands with a chance to put the Boston Celtics ahead in the final seconds.
One more time, Tatum He didn’t take advantage of the opportunity.
Jayson Tatum reacts after missing a shot in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
With the Celtics trailing by two points, Tatum missed a 3-pointer in an open corner with 45 seconds left, capping an ugly performance in what turned out to be Boston’s last chance to take the lead. After the ruling, Nikola Jokic finished a triple-double of 32 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists with a lob to Aaron Gordon for a dunk that extended Denver’s lead in their 115-109 victory.
“That corner 3 was a good shot,” Tatum said.. “I thought it was going to go in. We had some opportunities.”
That Boston (48-14) even had a chance to win was remarkable given how listless it was. Tatum at all times. He finished with 15 points and made 5 of 13 shots, along with 4 rebounds and 8 assists. In addition to the missed triples, Tatum he had a couple crucial turnovers in transition in the fourth quarter, made several passive drives to the rim and generally wasn’t as involved as he normally is.
“I think with the dynamics of our team, when others are in rhythm, with a flow… you had to space the court,” he said. Tatum when asked about his performance. “We always talk about respecting each other’s space. If that requires being in the corner or passing the ball to them, that’s what we’re trying to do on that possession. You have to respect that.”
The Celtics stayed in the game thanks to a sensational performance by Jaylen Brown, who added 41 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in 41 minutes. But they repeatedly cost themselves with sloppy play, giving the Nuggets (43-20) a 16-6 point advantage off turnovers, and they ended up going 11 of 38 (28.9%) from 3-point range.
“Too many mistakes,” Brown said. “Against a good team, we have to take advantage. Turnovers, free throws, just missing defensive assignments, all those things, we have to be better at that.
“And that starts with me, it starts at the top, it starts with Jayson… We made too many mistakes and it cost us the game.”
The Celtics lost their second straight game after a disappointing collapse against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, in which Tatum he missed a potential game-winning jumper in the final seconds.
Boston hasn’t played its best in its two games against Denver, shooting a combined 25 of 82 (30.4%) from 3-point range. Tatum He has been 14 of 37 (37.8%) in those games.
2024-03-08 14:17:00
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