Spurs 100, Celtics 95

 

Alert readers will recall that my formula for the Celtics to win their games can be summarized as 3-point %  + > Rebounds + González Minutes = Success! Last night, the Celtics completed more three-pointers (16) than the San Antonio Spurs (10), and had a higher percentage, too, 36.4% to 22.7%. They were competitive in rebounding, 52-53, and González was a starter and got 12:44. Yet the Celtics lost the game, 100-95.

What went wrong? Well, the refs let the Celtics get to the free-throw line only four times in the entire game,  compared to 20 times for the Spurs. "It's the same shit every time we play a good team,: Jaylen Brown told the AP after the game. "It's like they refuse to make the calls and they call touch calls on the other end. That's just extremely frustrating."

"Every time we play a good team, the inconsistency is crazy," he went on. "I'm irate at how they officiated the game today."

I don't like blaming losses on the refs, but only four free throws all game? And a five-point loss in a low-scoring game when we did everything right vis-a-vis three-pointers, rebounds, and Hugo? Whatever. Time to flush this one down the toilet and move on to Monday night's game in Indianapolis against the lowly Pacers (8-31). 

The Celtics and the Knicks are both 24-14 and tied for second place in the East behind Detroit (28-10).