Irving set to take all the blame
INDIANAPOLIS — Though he hit two bone-chilling 3-pointers in the last 22.5 seconds last night, Kyrie Irving already had picked out a big piece of blame pie for himself, just in case.
Seeing Terry Rozier make those shots pay off with a steal and dunk to give the Celtics a 112-111 win over Indiana eased the guilt, a little. Before scoring eight points in the last 1:24, he missed four straight shots after checking in with 7:20 left.
The Celtics guard isn’t about to turn in his union closer’s card, but the night wasn’t up to his standard.
“I was so pissed off that I was missing some normal shots that I normally make,” said Irving. “If that would have gone the other way, I was ready to take full responsibility for whatever happened for the flow of the game at the end. It didn’t go the way I kind of planned it to go, just from an execution standpoint. They were doing their job, but on the offensive end, I feel like there were a lot of things that (coach) Brad (Stevens) implements and it’s our job to execute it. The flow was kind of off and I wasn’t hitting the normal shots.
“We give credit to our defense and getting timely shots and staying the course as well. Some games will happen like that where something miraculous happens.”
Tatum sees a family affair
A sizeable segment of St. Louis made the drive to Indianapolis last night to see Jayson Tatum play, including his father, Justin, several uncles and friends from high school. They probably couldn’t have picked a more entertaining night.
“It was great for them to see this one,” said Tatum, who is guaranteed to this kind of welcome in a number of midwestern spots. “Here, Memphis, Chicago. They go all over,” he said . . . .
According to Dick Lipe, the erstwhile stat guru, this was only the third time since 2000 that the Celtics have won despite making at least 22 fewer free throws than their opponent. Last night they were out-made at the line, 30-8. Indiana also had a 38-14 edge in attempts.
Hayward tutors up for the kids
Coming soon to a video room in Waltham — Gordon Hayward, film critic.
“He’s doing a couple of small film projects for us,” Stevens said of his rehabbing forward.
One such idea will pair Hayward with some younger Celtics — Tatum, Abdel Nader and Semi Ojeleye are candidates — and use his own beginnings as an NBA player as an example of what to do and what to avoid.
“One of them, we had one of our assistants clip up him from his first couple years of playing, which was pretty entertaining,” said Stevens. “Just looking at some of the mistakes, the floppy hair and watching it with some of our younger players to talk about his growing pains and some of the things he had to go through. We’ll do ad hoc stuff like that as the year goes on. He’s progressed out of the boot and is in a brace. He can continue to progress. He’s not on the court by any means. He’s a ways away.
“He’s spending a lot of extra time doing things he normally wouldn’t do. He’s got all of his challenges and games that he does in the training room every day that keep his spirits high and keep him focused on what the next task is.”
Morris works on ailing knee
Marcus Morris received an injection in his tender left knee, and is scheduled to resume basketball-related activity this week. The power forward targeted the Celtics’ Christmas game against Washington, and his twin brother Markieff, for a return.
“He feels better, and I guess that’s a pretty typical procedure, and will ramp up basketball in the next couple of days with the hope of playing sooner rather than later on an on-and-off schedule, is the best way to put it,” Stevens said of what will once again be closely monitored minutes and games restriction.
Morris, who missed his 17th game last night, complicated the injury after suffering a knee contusion about a week ago.
“He probably won’t play every game or obviously back-to-back games . . . . He is feeling better,” said Stevens. “He was feeling better prior to (the contusion).”