Atlantic Notes: Celtics, Raptors, Knicks

Celtics

Jayson Tatum says the Celtics’ inconsistency in the third quarter has cost them during the playoffs, including the blowout loss to the Warriors in Game 2 of the Finals.

“I think tonight, turnovers, and I think sometimes letting our offense affect how we defend, kind of was a little stagnant in the third quarter,” Tatum said, via ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. “I feel like it translated on the defensive end, and they got going and hitting shots and things like that.”

The Celtics have been outscored by an average of 37 points in the third quarter this postseason.

• Michigan coach Juwan Howard was a target off ex-Celtics coach Brad Stevens after Stevens moved to the front office, per Marc Stein of the Stein Line. Stevens, of course, landed Ime Udoka instead, who took the Celtics to the Finals in his first season as a head coach anywhere.

Raptors

Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes took to Instagram to refute the recent trade rumors surrounding teammate OG Anunoby — which we relayed last week.

“Close source said it’s (not true),” Barnes replied on a post that aggregated the original report on Anunoby.

Rival executives believe Anunoby may have experienced some discontent with his role, Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer noted

Knicks

• Former Tom Thibodeau assistant Rick Brunson is expected to join the Knicks as an assistant, per Ian Begley of SNY.tv. Brunson was an assistant under Thibodeau with the Bulls and Timberwolves, and is the father of Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson, a free agent.
• The Knicks appear to be looking to move up in the draft (Begley). As of now, they hold the No. 11 overall pick in the first round, as well as a second-rounder (No. 42 overall).
• In case you missed it, former Knicks forward Michael Beasley has agreed to a deal with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. We have the full story here.