Felger & Massarotti Celtics Fall to Timberwolves at TD Garden // Email of the Day // The Final Word - 3/23 (Hour 4)
Mar 23, 2026
They break down Boston's offensive struggles against elite teams and whether defense has become the club's identity. They debate Jason Tatum's changed role, shot timing, explosiveness after his Achilles injury, and how that affects teammates. Callers weigh in on lineup, playmaking and whether trading Tatum makes sense. They also argue over a Bruins prospect call-up and rank goalies for laughs.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Offense Dropped After Tatum's Return
- The Celtics' offense has declined since Jayson Tatum returned, despite his individual presence.
- Team scoring fell ~10 points per game and three-point percentage dropped from 37% to 33.2% after Tatum's return, per Tony Massarotti's recap.
Tatum's Ball Control Slows Team Motion
- Tatum's style of dribbling and consuming the shot clock has made the offense feel stagnant at times.
- Hosts say Tatum often walks the ball up and chews two-thirds of the clock, reducing movement and bystander playmaking.
Defense Is The Celtics' Calling Card
- The Celtics' primary strength this season is defense, not offense.
- Chris Gasper and callers highlighted Boston ranking near the top in defensive rating and Tatum's rebound/athleticism boosting team defense.