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they keep getting hosed by either half time adjustments or just don’t have the right mindset, it’s maddening. what is happening for them to consistently underperfom in the 3rd?
Taking their foot off the gas. Huge halftime leads and they don’t want to go all out and expend energy when it’s November. Play it safe to not risk injuries. The problem is the other team is trying and this builds bad habits.
They’ve actually been really good in the 3rd quarter for years, it’s the drop-off in the playoffs that’s concerning. Could be mentality, could be coaching, could just be that our players are inconsistent. I mean look at Tatum game 6 against PHI last year. Was abysmal and then went off. Might just be the Celtics experience with him where they have to figure out how to get him to always be in control of the game, not just for a half or a handful of possessions.
Same for Brown, he always has a great first quarter and then forces things as the game goes on. He has to learn to adjust to what the defense is giving him and play around it. If he scores 10 and they key the defense in on him, he has to look to be a passer in those moments and open the floor back up. Not just force his way into double teams or ice him out of games.
Just my 2 cents on it, but it’s something to watch going forward if they just lack energy in the 3rd quarter after building a 8-12 point lead by halftime, it’s kind of concerning if they make a habit out of it.
It’s that they get hosed by halftime adjustments. It started happening when Brad lost the locker room