The Boston Celtics were supposed to have an easier time with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the latter end of a back-to-back than they did against the Utah Jazz the previous night.
Instead, they struggled out of the gate and trailed for nearly the entire game. As a result, they lost a second consecutive game and dropped to 20-20 on the season.
This was certainly a demoralizing loss for the C's. Yes, they were without Kemba Walker, but the Cavaliers had lost 14 of their last 18 games and four straight before their Wednesday night class with the C's. And when the two teams met in January, Boston dropped 141 points on Cleveland in a big-time win.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Boston sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
The loss also highlighted a couple of the biggest problems that the Celtics have faced this year on the offensive side of the ball, and one of them will kickstart our three takeaways from the Celtics' latest loss.
Celtics Talk Podcast: Appreciating Time Lord and rationalizing a Lonzo Ball trade with John Karalis | Listen & subscribe | Watch on YouTube
1. The Celtics cannot afford slow starts.
Boston Celtics
Find the latest Boston Celtics news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Boston.
The Celtics came out hot in the second half against the Cavaliers. They put up a whopping 36 points in the third quarter and managed to give the Cavs a run for their money down the stretch.
However, they couldn't quite do enough to earn the victory, and that's because of how poorly they began the game.
Highlights: C's can't overcome 17-point deficit, fall 117-110
The C's got off to a very slow start against the Cavaliers. In the first half, they scored just 38 points. The Cavaliers were attacking the basket while the Celtics turned the ball over 12 times. Their struggles to start the game point toward something that has troubled the Celtics this year.
The Celtics are 0-9 on the season when they score 50 or fewer points in the first half. They nearly made the comeback against the Cavaliers, but they couldn't quite get over the hump late. And that came against one of the lower-level teams in the NBA. When they do this against the better teams in the league, they won't even be as close to winning as they were Wednesday night.
So, Boston has to avoid these types of slow starts moving forward. Otherwise, they'll continue to be at a disadvantage.
2. Free throws are becoming an issue for the Celtics.
On Wednesday night, the Celtics went 20-of-29 from the free throw line. They missed nine free throws. They lost by seven.
That highlights another frustrating trend for the Celtics. They simply don't make enough of their free throws.
While Boston was averaging a respectable 22.2 free throws per game entering Wednesday's game, tied for the 10th-most in the NBA, they simply aren't doing enough with those opportunities. They rank 23rd in the league in free-throw percentage, and in their last four games, they have been even worse than that.
The free-throw issues were a big part of the C's loss on Wednesday night, and they're probably a part of the reason that the Celtics are just 11-16 in clutch games this year. If they don't fix the problem quickly, free throws will continue to cost Boston some close games down the stretch of the season.
3. Robert Williams has earned his minutes.
On Wednesday night, Williams played 27 minutes for the Celtics. That's the second-highest total of his career and the most since he played 29 minutes against the Wizards in the regular-season finale of his rookie year. The starters for that game as the C's rested their lineup were Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier, Semi Ojeleye, Guerschon Yabusele, and Williams.
But on Wednesday, Williams got to play a bigger role in an important regular-season game, and he certainly earned those extra minutes. Per usual, he was a sparkplug off the bench, and his willingness to fly around the court and make plays was a huge difference for the team.
Williams consistently got into the passing lanes against the Cavaliers and turned what looked like great opportunities for the Cavs into turnovers. He led the team in blocks (four) and tied for the team lead in steals (two) and made excellent plays like this all night.
Additionally, he shot the ball well again, going 6-of-7 from the field, and was active on the glass. He had a game-high five offensive boards and was able to make difficult-looking putbacks look easy.
Williams also proved to be an adept passer and created three assists on the day. That tied him for third on the Celtics with Jayson Tatum.
All told, it was another great game for Williams. He has been asked to play these extra minutes in part because Tristan Thompson is in the NBA's health and safety protocols, but Williams should continue to be the Celtics top big man even after Thompson returns. His all-around playmaking ability earned the right to be the lineup in late-game situations.