The Celtics and Suns entered the season with championship expectations and although the Celtics have been far better this season both teams have plenty of superstar talent. Recently, both teams suffered disappointing losses on Monday to below .500 teams but which was the more embarrassing loss?
Boston was up by as many as 30 points in the first half against the Hawks without Trae Young. Somehow the Hawks were not only able to get but were able to complete the largest comeback in franchise history. Deandre Hunter led the way with 24 points for the Hawks including the game sealing three pointer with 9.2 seconds left to give the Hawks the improbable 120-118 win over the Celtics. The loss is just their 15th on the season as their 9 game win streak was snapped but the issue was their lackluster and stagnant offense in the second half that allowed the Hawks to get back in the game.
After the game, Tatum spoke about the surprising loss stating “We let our foot off the gas in the second half, and they got in a great rhythm,"
As for the Suns, a loss to the Spurs is no surprise as before Monday's game they had already loss 2 of the last 3 games against them. What made this loss different and particularly disappointing considering the playoffs are mere weeks away is that the Spurs without their star rookie in Victor Wembyama. Also, unlike their previous losses to the Spurs the Suns had their big three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal fully healthy. The Suns had just won their their previous against the Spurs a couple days earlier by 25 points but the Spurs responded aggressively in the following matchup. Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan led the way with 26 points a piece with Sochan also serving as the unlikely hero hitting a go-ahead three pointer late in the game leading to the Spurs victory. Booker and Durant combined for 65 points but it was not enough as the Suns loss could not have come at a worse time as they will next play 10 consecutive playoff-bound teams.
Beal summed up how egregious the loss was perfectly by stating, “We definitely laid an egg. We came in, thought it was going to be easy, no Wemby. ... They came out aggressive, like coach told us they would, and we didn’t respond. We didn’t. Did not respond.”
Both losses were surprising and could serve as reasons why both teams are beatable in the playoffs as the Spurs and Hawks both took advantage of the Celtics and Suns weaknesses. However, as historic as blowing a 30 point lead is the Celtics are still fully capable if not expected to make a return to NBA Finals and are favorites to win it all. The Suns however have not only fallen below expectations thus far they also have issues that they appear unlikely to overcome this season. Some of their main issues being the lack of cohesion due to injuries and thus not having enough time on the floor and lack of consistent offense outside of Booker and Durant. The loss to the Spurs is simply the latest example of why the Suns are not yet a championship caliber team this season.
Source: NBA YouTube channel
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