NBA Scores 2018: The Celtics need to figure their offense out and 7 other things from Sunday

Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, the Pacers keep beating the Spurs, and game winners in Detroit.

Jan 22, 2018, 12:30 PM UTC

Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

The Celtics lost three games in a row for the first time this season and look like they need to go back to playing games every other day. With that being said, now is not the time for Celtics fans to panic. They’re still firmly cemented in the first spot in the Eastern Conference with problems that are very fixable.

Their defense over the last three games has been incredible — they’re only allowing 100.5 points per 100 possessions. Their offense is still holding them back, though. On the season they’re ranked 20th in offensive efficiency, but over the last three games they’ve had the worst offense in the league by far with a 93.6 offensive rating. One of those two games were without Kyrie Irving, who has been dealing with shoulder injury, but that’s still not a good enough reason for their offense to be so bad.

On Sunday against the Magic, the Celtics missed a ton of open threes. Against the Pelicans, they had stretches where they missed those same shots. These stretches happen throughout the season and don’t represent how good or bad the Celtics actually are.

But their offense has hovered just below average all season long and that shouldn’t be the case with an offensive dynamo like Irving. With time, the Celtics should figure things out. If they don’t, though, they’ll be in trouble.

Spencer Dinwiddie hit the toughest game winner you’ll ever see

A floater through one defender and over another. One of them was Andre Drummond (!). This shot is insane.

The Nets are proving again and again that they’re not just a night off in the NBA anymore — they’re a tough team that’ll burn you if you don’t play the right way. The Pistons have added themselves to the list of teams that had to learn that the hard way.

Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle might not be a Lakers for much longer

Because they’re both damn good. No Lonzo Ball? No problem. Clarkson and Randle combined for 56 points, 15 assists and 18 rebounds against the Knicks on Sunday afternoon.

Randle was a monster down low with dunk after dunk.

They also connected in transition a few times, too, taking it all the way back to the Showtime Laker days.

I don’t know where they’ll end up — they may even stay in Los Angeles. But wherever they finish their season at, they’ll certainly be big contributors who make their team better.

Speaking of Clarkson, this dunk was so chill

He just casually rose up and slammed it down. It looked so effortless. It’s mesmerizing.

The Pacers continue to be a thorn in the Spurs’ side

The Spurs are good again, but they couldn’t beat the Pacers at all this season. Their loss on Sunday ended the season series with the Pacers winning both games. I’m sure the Spurs are glad to be done with them.

At least Victor Oladipo didn’t put them away again. If you recall, the first chapter in the book of Oladipo the Pacer started in San Antonio.