dailyloe.com – The Boston Celtics lost 112-106 to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night. The game served as a potential mainstream NBA introduction for second-year swingman Baylor Scheierman. He responded to heckling from former Knicks players with a three-point barrage that nearly won the game.
A group of former Knicks sitting courtside chided Scheierman as he stood nearby. The group included Stephon Marbury, Tim Thomas, and Raymond Felton. Scheierman was potentially waiting for a chance to launch a three-pointer during the game.
Scheierman drained five second-half three-pointers in the contest. Each time he made a shot, he had words in return for the former Knicks trio. He described the typical heckling he faced from the sidelines.
“I mean it’s just the typical, standing in the corner, you’re not necessarily shooting the ball and [they’re saying], ‘You’re not touching it,’ or if you touch it they’re like, ‘Hell no, you ain’t doing anything,'” Scheierman told The Boston Globe. He said the former players tipped their cap as he made shots.
Scheierman is emerging as a bench weapon with the postseason approaching. He said he is enjoying his time on the floor and making pivotal shots. He described his on-court celebrations as improvisational and emotional.
“As far as the celebrations, it’s an improv in the moment, I’m just playing with emotion,” Scheierman said. “I’m not thinking too much about it. I’m just having a lot of fun out there actually.”
The Celtics made difficult decisions in the fourth quarter of their loss. They decided to allow Josh Hart to be an open shooter. This strategy aimed to stop Jalen Brunson, one of the league’s best clutch players.
The result was a 15-point fourth quarter from Hart on 6-for-7 shooting. Hart was 3 of 3 from the three-point line, including two in the final minute. In his previous four games, Hart averaged 6.7 points and was 2 for 10 from three.
The Celtics took an intelligent risk but got burned by Hart’s performance. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said he does not regret the defensive decision. He explained his philosophy on coaching decisions after the game.
“I don’t think you can, in coaching, wait until the result and ask whether that was the best decision,” Mazzulla said. “You have to take the information.” The coach’s statement concluded the available information from the source.[]
Source: The Boston Globe
