Game 2 EC SemiFinals: Wizards @ Celtics 8 PM (TNT/1500 AM) [5/2/17]

[benb331]

With 1 game under our belt and some extra time to prepare, I really want to see how we guard Thomas this game. I screamed during the whole game thread about us letting him go left. That's what he wants to do and it's not that we had a hard time stopping it, but that we never even tried to. We just conceded it despite getting chewed up.

I hope it wasn't the case of both our players and coaches being idiots because it seems elementary to try to force him right so I'm guessing/hoping that it was strategic but for what reason? The only thing I can really think of is fouls. That because he is a lefty who likes to draw fouls that you are scared he's always going to stop and bring his shooting hand back into the trailer but still, we have to then hedge or do something. It just seems like basic common sense to force him right as much as possible but we couldn't do it for some reason.

Also no post ups for Wall when IT was on him but like one I remember and he drew a foul. Just didn't make sense

Also saw the Wizards go to Otto just one time on an IT post-up. The entire C's defense collapsed immediately in a panic. Seems like a good way to find an open 3 if Otto doesn't score right off the bat.

[deneem4]

Spurs jus got destroyed by the rockets...
Hopefully we dont take this loss hard and come back next game with confidence

[hood30]

wall vs thomas

Thomas wins round 1.

Watch on YouTube

[Meliorus]

With 1 game under our belt and some extra time to prepare, I really want to see how we guard Thomas this game. I screamed during the whole game thread about us letting him go left. That's what he wants to do and it's not that we had a hard time stopping it, but that we never even tried to. We just conceded it despite getting chewed up.

I hope it wasn't the case of both our players and coaches being idiots because it seems elementary to try to force him right so I'm guessing/hoping that it was strategic but for what reason? The only thing I can really think of is fouls. That because he is a lefty who likes to draw fouls that you are scared he's always going to stop and bring his shooting hand back into the trailer but still, we have to then hedge or do something. It just seems like basic common sense to force him right as much as possible but we couldn't do it for some reason.

Also no post ups for Wall when IT was on him but like one I remember and he drew a foul. Just didn't make sense

Also saw the Wizards go to Otto just one time on an IT post-up. The entire C's defense collapsed immediately in a panic. Seems like a good way to find an open 3 if Otto doesn't score right off the bat.

Everybody thinks just because 5'9" is on you a non post-up player can turn into a post monster. Beal posted up IT on one possession and it led to a mid-range clank.

The best way to exploit IT is to shoot jumpers off curls like Otto did on one possession. Or just shoot it immediately when catching it since he can't contest the shot.

[queridiculo]

Felt to me like Brooks played a bit in Boston's hand by going small when Morris was forced to leave the game.

Smith only ended up playing 10 minutes so there's no telling where he's at with his injury, but I'd probably prefer to see him out there playing the four in Morris absence.

There's so little lineup data that it's tough to glean much useful information from it, but five man unit featuring Smith over Morris with the rest of the starters has been our most effective group when adjusted for minutes played >= 20.

Compared to the starting lineup, what it gives up in defensive efficiency it makes up by better offensive efficiency and a significantly higher assist %.

Washington has to decide the battle on the boards in their favor by a good margin given the perimeter oriented nature of the Celtics offense and the best way to get there is to stay big.

The Boston offense is too good to give them extra opportunities to score. Limiting offensive rebounds and turnovers to prevent them from getting easy buckets on the break is key.

Wall has to be patient on offense and limit turnovers, and the Wizards can't continue to spoil good defensive possessions by surrendering offensive rebounds.

Offensively Washington can't abandon Gortat as a scoring option on the pick and roll and they can't have another game of Porter just floating on the perimeter waiting for scraps.

Porter is averaging 6.7 FGAs per game in the postseason so far, and while his 10 attempts were a step in the right direction I'd like to see him get closer to 15 attempts a game.

All the efficiency in the world isn't going to help Washington if he isn't putting up shots.

Going to be a tough game for the Wizards to win.

The one relative strength the Wizards have compared to the Celtics is pretty much negated by injuries and it's going to take near perfect game from Wall and Beal playing against a strong Boston backcourt.

[Triple M]

Not trolling but what happen to Wall in the 2nd half in game 1??? His first half was outstanding with 7 assists and only 1 TO but he ended with 8 assists and 8 TOs. I believe he had 3 TOs in quick succession in the 3rd quarter which led me to believe that the tide of that game turned. However, from re-watching that game, I was a bit surprised by the officiating in that it seem like they let both sides play when I was anticipating the refs calling a tight game given the histories these teams have with each other. Was it simply the officiating and not being able to adjust???

With that being said I do expect a tighter called game 2.

[tontoz]

Not trolling but what happen to Wall in the 2nd half in game 1??? His first half was outstanding with 7 assists and only 1 TO but he ended with 8 assists and 8 TOs. I believe he had 3 TOs in quick succession in the 3rd quarter which led me to believe that the tide of that game turned. However, from re-watching that game, I was a bit surprised by the officiating in that it seem like they let both sides play when I was anticipating the refs calling a tight game given the histories these teams have with each other. Was it simply the officiating and not being able to adjust???

With that being said I do expect a tighter called game 2.

Playing 44 minutes in game 6 might have something to do with it.

[Meliorus]

Not trolling but what happen to Wall in the 2nd half in game 1??? His first half was outstanding with 7 assists and only 1 TO but he ended with 8 assists and 8 TOs. I believe he had 3 TOs in quick succession in the 3rd quarter which led me to believe that the tide of that game turned. However, from re-watching that game, I was a bit surprised by the officiating in that it seem like they let both sides play when I was anticipating the refs calling a tight game given the histories these teams have with each other. Was it simply the officiating and not being able to adjust???

With that being said I do expect a tighter called game 2.

He was bad, what do you want to hear? Live-ball turnovers lead to open transition 3's for you guys!

[sfam]

Speaking of Dirty Horford

Read on Twitter

One year ago on IT.

2 years ago on Brad:



FOOK THIS DUDE. WHY DID I WANT HIM TO SIGN IN DC?

Horford really does shoot out that front foot an extra 6"-10" inches or so on landing. Did the same foot move to both Beal and Morris.

[Dark Faze]

Prevent 3's at all costs, don't turn the ball over, don't foul -- those are the things I'd emphasize.

[dlts20]

Not trolling but what happen to Wall in the 2nd half in game 1??? His first half was outstanding with 7 assists and only 1 TO but he ended with 8 assists and 8 TOs. I believe he had 3 TOs in quick succession in the 3rd quarter which led me to believe that the tide of that game turned. However, from re-watching that game, I was a bit surprised by the officiating in that it seem like they let both sides play when I was anticipating the refs calling a tight game given the histories these teams have with each other. Was it simply the officiating and not being able to adjust???

With that being said I do expect a tighter called game 2.

A few things. As pointed out, Wall played 46 to close out the Hawks and had 19 in the 4th so I think he was a Lil gassed in the 2nd half against Boston. Again, he wanted to beat the Hawks so bad after the playoff loss 2 years ago with the broken hand and them talking trash so I don't think he fully decompressed and switched his mind over to Boston. He was good in the 1st half but still missed a couple of bunnies that he made against the Hawks and seemed to lack a Lil bit of explosion overall.

More over, Im not a hater so I like to give credit to the opponent. I think the combination of Morris leaving and Stevens starting Smart over Green was a big adjustment. Bradley and Smart are great individual defenders. Thomas guarded Wall alot in the 1st half. Not so much in the 2nd. I don't think in any way those guys can guard our backcourt but I do think that they are initially a shock to your system and you have to somewhat figure them out and mostly meet their intensity. I think Wall was physically too fatigued and mentally had 1 foot still in the Hawks series.

With guys like Bradley and Smart, i think Beal said it best post game. To summarize he talked about them having great hands and to beat them you have to simplify things. That's how I feel. They don't let you relax and it's not good to over dribble or do a lot of fancy moves like you do against other guys. I think you have to be precise and play downhill. Smart is a great defender but I still rather have him on the court over Green. Again, I think we will adjust to the defense and I fear Greens offensive ability way more than Smarts

[dobrojim]

The negativity in the first page of this game thread is depressing. And I don't know why FAH1223 wastes time starting threads if he assumes were going to lose every time.

Remind me how to ignore someone (not naming names). click on their name and
make them a 'foe'?

Yes we lost a great opportunity on Sunday. And maybe the effectiveness of a key player.
We still have a chance. They gotta beat us 3 more times. We have Wall who has been
one of the top players in the playoffs.

I'm not writing us off quite yet even though things could look better.

[sfam]

The negativity in the first page of this game thread is depressing. And I don't know why FAH1223 wastes time starting threads if he assumes were going to lose every time.

Remind me how to ignore someone (not naming names). click on their name and
make them a 'foe'?

Yes we lost a great opportunity on Sunday. And maybe the effectiveness of a key player.
We still have a chance. They gotta beat us 3 more times. We have Wall who has been
one of the top players in the playoffs.

I'm not writing us off quite yet even though things could look better.

I just had to do this, yes. Seems like put them on "ignore" would make more sense, but you literally have to make them a foe after choosing their profile.

[dobrojim]

so there is no ignore button? Just call them a foe?
Don't like that. I don't think of this person as a foe, just someone
I don't want to waste my time reading.

[Donkey McDonkerton]

I've made everyone a foe, except for 5 people...according to them, we'll be winning a championship. I love my own little bubble board.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I don't know, man.

Game one took all the starch out for me. Boston took the Wizards' best punch and walked right through it. Officiating didn't allow Horford to look like Tim Duncan and for Boston to almost make twenty threes. Isaiah Thomas got his 33. The Wizards shot 50% and still lost, convincingly. All that and Morris went down...

I'm dispirited. I hope the Wizards have a ton more resolve than I have. It just seems to me Boston took the momentum. They will garner the calls again.

They are 5.5 point favorites. Based on what just happened, I would pick the over. Wizards might get killed.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using RealGM mobile app

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

wall vs thomas

Thomas wins round 1.

Watch on YouTube

Thomas teams have defeated Wall teams something like 13 of 16 tries.



Sent from my Moto G (4) using RealGM mobile app

[sfam]

so there is no ignore button? Just call them a foe?
Don't like that. I don't think of this person as a foe, just someone
I don't want to waste my time reading.

I had the exact same thought process.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Felt to me like Brooks played a bit in Boston's hand by going small when Morris was forced to leave the game.

Smith only ended up playing 10 minutes so there's no telling where he's at with his injury, but I'd probably prefer to see him out there playing the four in Morris absence.

There's so little lineup data that it's tough to glean much useful information from it, but five man unit featuring Smith over Morris with the rest of the starters has been our most effective group when adjusted for minutes played >= 20.

Compared to the starting lineup, what it gives up in defensive efficiency it makes up by better offensive efficiency and a significantly higher assist %.

Washington has to decide the battle on the boards in their favor by a good margin given the perimeter oriented nature of the Celtics offense and the best way to get there is to stay big.

The Boston offense is too good to give them extra opportunities to score. Limiting offensive rebounds and turnovers to prevent them from getting easy buckets on the break is key.

Wall has to be patient on offense and limit turnovers, and the Wizards can't continue to spoil good defensive possessions by surrendering offensive rebounds.

Offensively Washington can't abandon Gortat as a scoring option on the pick and roll and they can't have another game of Porter just floating on the perimeter waiting for scraps.

Porter is averaging 6.7 FGAs per game in the postseason so far, and while his 10 attempts were a step in the right direction I'd like to see him get closer to 15 attempts a game.

All the efficiency in the world isn't going to help Washington if he isn't putting up shots.

Going to be a tough game for the Wizards to win.

The one relative strength the Wizards have compared to the Celtics is pretty much negated by injuries and it's going to take near perfect game from Wall and Beal playing against a strong Boston backcourt.

Really good, queridiculo.

I agree that IMO the thing that has to happen is that the Wizards must somehow dominate rebounding.

--Boston cannot shoot like last game.

--Brooks must coach better.

I just am not real optimistic...

Sent from my Moto G (4) using RealGM mobile app

[FAH1223]

I don't know, man.

Game one took all the starch out for me. Boston took the Wizards' best punch and walked right through it. Officiating didn't allow Horford to look like Tim Duncan and for Boston to almost make twenty threes. Isaiah Thomas got his 33. The Wizards shot 50% and still lost, convincingly. All that and Morris went down...

I'm dispirited. I hope the Wizards have a ton more resolve than I have. It just seems to me Boston took the momentum. They will garner the calls again.

They are 5.5 point favorites. Based on what just happened, I would pick the over. Wizards might get killed.

Yup. Same feeling. Watched part of the first half in an airport.

Missed the whole 2nd half flying.

Hesitated to take my phone off airplone mode after landing because of the sinking feeling of knowing there's no way they won but still had a little hope I'd be surprised.

Then saw the score.