In a disappointing game against the Charlotte Hornets, the Boston Celtics found themselves on the wrong end of a tight contest. Despite having several chances to secure a victory, a combination of missed opportunities and Jaylen Brown's struggles ultimately cost the Celtics the game.

The blame for the loss is spread across multiple aspects of the Celtics' performance. Jrue Holiday, normally reliable from the free-throw line, missed a pair of crucial shots in the final minute of regulation, which could have sealed the game for Boston. Jayson Tatum also had a missed free throw that could have tied the game in overtime. Furthermore, head coach Joe Mazzulla failed to call a timeout as the Hornets went on a game-changing 9-0 run at the end of regulation.

Fatigue was clearly a factor for the Celtics, who were playing their third game in four days on a lengthy road trip and were without two key rotation players. However, it was the process rather than just the results that contributed to the disappointment. Boston exhibited some of the same issues that have haunted them in the past, squandering a nine-point lead in the final minutes of regulation against the league's worst defensive team. In critical moments, the Celtics were unable to generate points, ultimately resulting in a missed opportunity to secure their seventh consecutive win.

While Brown has been an All-Star for Boston, his performance in this game was less than impressive. Shooting just 5-of-17 from the field, he struggled throughout the night and misfired on 11 of his final 13 shot attempts. In crucial moments during the fourth quarter and overtime, Brown went 1-of-6, failing to find his touch when it mattered most.

Despite struggling with his shot, Brown seemed determined to take on the Hornets' defense single-handedly instead of utilizing his talented teammates. In previous seasons, Boston would have relied on Brown to take those clutch shots when teams focused on double-teaming Tatum. However, with the addition of players like Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, there are now better options available. Unfortunately, Brown displayed tunnel vision, evident when he took a contested 3-pointer in overtime instead of passing to an open Porzingis in the paint.

These plays are the ones that will likely cause coach Mazzulla sleepless nights when reviewing the game tape. Instead of dwelling on missed free throws or blown layups, the Celtics should have focused on making the simple pass and taking advantage of a weak Hornets defense. Isolation plays should have been left in the past, especially against opponents that don't possess the same level of talent.

Brown's struggles in the second half were evident, shooting 2-of-9 with four of those attempts being midrange jump shots. With a 98 percent probability of winning the game with two minutes remaining in regulation, Brown's decision-making played a significant role in the team's downfall. It is evident that for the Celtics to thrive, Brown must learn to trust his teammates and avoid trying to do too much on his own.

Moving forward, the Celtics will need to learn from their mistakes and make adjustments. Brown's offensive mentality needs to shift towards trusting his teammates in crucial moments, resulting in a more cohesive and efficient approach for the team. Otherwise, missed opportunities and struggles like those seen against the Hornets will continue to hinder the Celtics' success on the court.