Leading 103-100 with twenty seconds left in the fourth quarter and the ball in hand, the Celtics were in ideal position to win against the Hawks. It was then that Jrue Holiday made a series of balls to allow Atlanta to snatch overtime. Boston ultimately lost 119-115.
Jrue Holiday is not used to weighing down his team, but that’s what he did last night at the end of the Celtics – Hawks game.
First, with the Celtics leading by three points (with possession), Jrue Holiday sent a pass into the sideline looking for Jaylen Brown. He could have kept the ball to force Atlanta to foul, or even scored a layup knowing he was open. He did neither.
Then, while the Celtics (via Holiday) pushed Trae Young to the free throw line to avoid a 3-point shot, then a 1/2 throw from Jayson Tatum, Jrue once again fouls Ice Trae . Problem, the Hawks are in the bonus and there are only two points difference between the two teams. Result: Young takes advantage of the gift to equalize the score. You know the rest.
— . (@dphoop2425)
After the match, Jrue Holiday did not shy away from his responsibilities. On the contrary : “This defeat is for me” he declared.
The Celtics player added that his foul on Trae Young was not intentional and that he was aware of the score (sorry Gerard Smith), but that he wanted to prevent the Hawks star from going to the basket. Concerning his loss of the ball just before, Jrue did not want to linger: “I wanted to give the ball to JB, it was a bad pass, it’s as simple as that.”
If Jrue Holiday is not the only one responsible for Boston’s defeat last night (he practically did not play in overtime) and his coach Joe Mazzulla supported him at a press conference, it is difficult to ignore his errors at the end of the match given the scenario.
The Celtics just lost for the fourth time in seven games and are now 29-13 on the season.
Text source: post-match press conference
Related News :