Jazz-Celtics Overreactions: C's lack of scoring depth exposed

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The Boston Celtics failed to get the job done on their home court Friday night as they fell to the Utah Jazz, 99-94.

The C's (42-20) have lost three of four overall and three in a row at home.

Here are a few instant overreactions from Boston's loss:

1. Jazz exposed Celtics' lack of scoring depth.

Verdict: Not an overreaction

The Celtics' lack of depth arguably has been their No. 1 concern all season long. So when Danny Ainge opted not to make a move for an additional scorer at the NBA trade deadline, he drew plenty of criticism.

This loss was a prime example of why. With Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward out due to injuries, plus Kemba Walker on a minutes restriction, Boston's lack of scoring depth was exposed.

It was yet another lackluster night for the C's bench, which contributed only 13 points. Sure, rotations will be shorter in the postseason, but that doesn't matter if Boston continues to struggle to stay healthy.

Marcus Smart was the Celtics' leading scorer with 29 points.

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2. Jayson Tatum is cooling down from his red-hot February.

Verdict: Slight overreaction

No one really expected Tatum to continue his torrid pace of 30-plus points per game while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field and from 3-point range, right? If you did, you have some pretty unrealistic expectations.

Tatum's night vs. the Jazz was pedestrian by those lofty standards as he finished with a modest 18 points on 7-for-19 shooting. Don't worry, though, we'll see plenty more of those 30-plus-point superstar performances before the season is over.

3. Brad Wanamaker's airball from three feet away was one of the worst shot attempts of all time.

Verdict: Not an overreaction

With all due respect to Brad Wanamaker, he may have had one of the worst shot attempts we've ever seen on Friday night.

Wanamaker airballed one from a mere three feet away, adding to what was an abysmal night for the Celtics guard as he finished with a minus-25 plus-minus.

Later in the fourth quarter, he airballed another one. This time from beyond the arc.

This isn't to pile on Wanamaker for his miscues, because he's been a solid presence off the bench at times this season, it was just a wild sight to see him miss from point-blank range. He's certainly seen better nights.

Wanamaker finished with nine points, leading all C's bench players.

Don't miss NBC Sports Boston's coverage of Thunder-Celtics, which begins Sunday at 5 p.m. with Celtics Pregame Live, followed by tip-off at 6 p.m. You can also stream on the MyTeams App.

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