5 lessons from the Celtics vs. Spurs as top four returns, but Boston falls

The Boston Celtics finally brought together all four members of its four cores – Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart – but a disastrous second quarter sentenced them to a 110-106 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday .

Here are five lessons from a roller coaster game.

The Celtics took a good look to end the game.

The Celtics did a lot to lose Wednesday’s game before the final minute – inefficient shots, inopportune twists and questionable defense – but had a final chance to send him into overtime. With eight seconds remaining, Kemba Walker ran to the ground and hit Tatum with time slowing down. As San Antonio’s defense spun, Marcus Smart jumped free in the corner. His final shot was slightly wrong, and the Celtics failed to extend his winning streak to three.

Brad Stevens played a 12-man spin in the first half.

With all of his best players back on the field for the first time, some may have wondered whether Brad Stevens would shorten his spins.

The opposite was true. Stevens played with 12 players in the first half, and when the game was over, the only two who didn’t make it into the game were Tremont Waters and Tacko Fall. As Brian Scalabrine noted in the NBC Sports Boston broadcast, Stevens may be trying to see who he wants in his eight-man rotation. Carsen Edwards was the first replacement off the bench. Aaron Nesmith got the first minutes.

But the real result seemed to be that Boston was out of sync and uncomfortable. The Celtics lost a nine-point lead in the second quarter and after a truly disastrous final minute of the period (more about that in a minute), they were down by 14 in the interval.

At some point, the Celtics will have to slow their rotation. Wednesday’s film will not offer many answers.

The Celtics zone brought them back into the game.

To recap that final minute of the first half:

• With 1:01 left, Lonnie Walker drove to the rim and scored, putting San Antonio in eight.
• After Kemba Walker clanked a 3-point, Lonnie Walker buried a jumper. The Celtics gave the last chance of the fourth with 21 seconds to go.
• Jayson Tatum, however, threw the ball away and gave Patty Mills a transition tray.
• Then Jayson Tatum threw the ball away again and Lonnie Walker scored again. San Antonio finished the half with an 8-0 run in 61 seconds.

The Celtics did not gain much strength in the opening of the third quarter, but when they fell into a zone, the San Antonio attack – which worked whenever the Celtics played man to man – suddenly seemed hesitant and uncertain. The Spurs were forced to play individually, which is less their strength outside DeMar DeRozan.

Jayson Tatum made it to the post.

The other element of the Boston rally that is worth noting: Tatum – who had an inefficient night – finally started doing a series of post-ups in the third quarter. On a night when he just couldn’t find the break (he got cold again after helping the Celtics get back into the game), Tatum has a very reliable way of getting a decent look whenever he wants.

Post-ups should not be the bulk of Tatum’s attack – he is very good at reaching the rim and creating 3-point kicks. But when the defense closes the painting and the defenders hang over it behind the arch, being able to use elite footwork and a soft touch on the pole is a great tertiary option.

The Celtics have many great ones that are almost as good as each other.

Robert Williams is in a difficult situation.

On Wednesday, the Celtics started Daniel Theis, who has been playing out of his mind recently. Tristan Thompson, who left the bank earlier, is, in theory, a perfect fit still finding its way (Thompson was also paid for by all the mid-level exception, which can be a factor too).

Meanwhile, Williams is dynamic in ways that Theis and Thompson can’t brag about. His energy on the glass is impressive, his athleticism can be unmatched even in the NBA, and opposing players are beginning to get the message that he can strike anything.

Stevens said one of the reasons he liked the sometimes disastrous team of the big two was that he gave Williams a chance to claim more minutes off the bench. The Celtics also like to use big men based on confrontations. But the disaster of 12 players in the first half of Wednesday’s game could be a reminder that sometimes the pace is just as important as the clashes.