If the Boston Celtics had Jrue Holiday in Game 3, it's hard to believe a 95-93 loss doesn't turn into a 3-0 series lead. But that perspective is sour grapes. It also disregards that surviving the war of attrition is crucial in every season's outcome, regardless of sport.
Holiday was unavailable for Friday's loss to the Orlando Magic due to a right hamstring strain. Had he played, perhaps Boston wouldn't have ended up with 21 turnovers, leading to 26 points for the hosts.
Probably a little bit of both. You can't replace what Jrue Holiday brings on both sides of the ball," said Derrick White on Saturday about the role the former All-Star's absence played in the Celtics' turnover rate compared to the influence of Orlando's physicality.
"We're a better team with him, but everybody's going to have to take a step up when he's not out there." White added there is "a lot of stuff that we can control and we've got to do a better job of."
"You have to give them credit," Joe Mazzulla told Hardwood Houdini post-game regarding how much of those turnover issues were self-inflicted and how much stemmed from the Magic's physicality.
"I thought it was a combination of both. They -- obviously -- upped their physicality at the point of attack. [They] pushed more in the half-court. They didn't accept switching. So, I would say credit to them, with their defensive physicality. We also had some ones that we have to be better at."
Jaylen Brown told Hardwood Houdini he shoulders much of that responsibility and said Orlando deserves the credit for forcing those giveaways.
"I give credit to them," stated Brown. "It was all their physicality and stuff. You can't call every foul. I had some turnovers. [I] had two offensive fouls in the third quarter that I disagree with, but that added to it, and a kicked-ball violation as well.
"My team needs me to take care of the basketball. [The] team needs JT [Jayson Tatum] to take care of basketball. We've got to be better."
Mazzulla provides an update on Holiday's Game 4 status
As for whether the Celtics will have Holiday in the lineup on Sunday, his head coach shared Saturday the veteran guard is "doing well. He's day-to-day."
Holiday's absence was glaring on Friday. It's a safe bet it pained him to watch what unfolded from the sideline. But if his strained hamstring isn't ready for Game 4, playing through it is risky and ill-advised.
Boston had a disastrous night on the margins and only lost by a bucket while holding the Magic under 100 points. The Celtics have enough to win without him. It's just a matter of a cleaner operation than Friday's lack of execution.
