Carmelo Anthony Delivers Blunt Reality Check for Celtics' Playoff Run
The Boston Celtics had two straight chances to eliminate the Philadelphia 76ers from the NBA Playoffs and fumbled both opportunities due to a glaring strategic flaw in their game plan.
On Thursday night, not only did Philly’s fans get fired up for a big game from their stars, but Boston once again seemed to create their own demise.
The final stats in Philadelphia’s 106-93 victory didn’t point to any major advantage that the 76ers had. They shot 44 percent compared to 42 percent for the Celtics, and had just two more rebounds and three fewer turnovers than their opponents.
However, Pro Basketball Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony and his colleagues know why the Celtics have failed to win these past few closeout games, and so do many fans.
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“It’s the same story. When they make them, they’re incredible; when they don’t, it looks like tonight. They live and die by the 3. That’s the story of the Boston Celtics. They don’t give you any in between game ….You gotta take the best shot. That was all analytics right there,” Melo said on NBC/Peacock’s postgame coverage.
His take is spot on, that sometimes too many players and teams rely on those three-pointers falling so they can win games. While it’s a higher-value shot, it’s become a risky strategy for the Celtics to keep relying on it when they’re not falling, instead of going for jumpers in the lane or having their players drive to the hoop more.
According to Statmuse, only the Golden State Warriors and Charlotte Hornets averaged more three-point attempts per game than Boston this past season. Neither team reached the playoffs, failing to win their second play-in games.
In these past two Celtics’ playoff losses, they’re a combined 23-for-80 from three-point range. Tatum had the most attempts and went 10-for-25 across the two games, but Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Jaylen Brown were also jacking up threes in Game 6, going a combined 6-for-20.
And it’s worth mentioning that two potential Eastern Conference playoffs opponents, the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks, were also in the top 10. The Knicks would be the Celtics’ next opponent if Boston can finally beat Philly in Game 7.
Last night, New York completely dismantled the Hawks 140-89, not necessarily through reliance on threes, but also through an unrelenting offensive attack on fast breaks and inside hoops, thanks to defensive pressure rattling Atlanta and creating turnovers.
Joe Mazulla may need to change his game plan if he wants this Celtics team to advance far, especially after seeing how teams like the New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, and San Antonio Spurs have outscored and defeated their first-round opponents.
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This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 11:47 AM.