Celts Forget the D, Lose Game 3! Playoff Loss vs ATL 4/21 (BOS leads 2-1)

[Hal14]

Easy. lol. I know your upset.

You think any of our players are as upset as you? Nope. You think they care as much as you? Nope.
And they get paid millions.

I like the venting. It's needed to release those emotions. But don't let it get to you to much.
Been there. Not worth it.

Also, this franchise knew they were close this year and the owners didn't do that small thing to give this team a
real shot at a title. Once we got Brogdon, we were and still are close to a title. Props to the owners and Brad for
that. But they stopped. Most of us knew what this team lacks, the owners and Brad knew too. A back up center that
could bring defense, toughness and rebounding. They didn't address that issue. That told me they aren't all in.

His name is robert williams.

Oh, you wanted ANOTHER backup center that brings defense, toughness and rebounding? Why, so he can ride the bench? Teams typically don't play 3 bigs in their playoff rotation. hell, denver is on their way to a 3-0 series lead and they only play 1 big in their rotation.

Brad added Griffin, he resigned kornet, he signed kabengele to a 2-way, he signed vonleh. then traded Vonleh, then traded for Muscala. you don't like those guys? well, too bad but don't say that brad did nothing. Muscala is the most consistent shooting big man the league has had over the past decade, he's a quick ball mover, good interior defender, formed one of the highest efficiency PnR duos with SGA. Would have contributed more after getting here but had knee tendinitis for awhile.

You wanted Brad to trade for someone else? well, too bad. Brad can't force another team to trade with us. It takes 2 teams to make a trade. And we have very limited assets (no blue chip young studs to trade, already traded our 2023 1st round pick, not allowed to trade our 2024 1st round pick till this summer, our draft picks aren't as valuable as other teams' picks either, since everyone knows we'll be a contender for the next. few years so our 1st round picks will be be very late 1st round picks, which aren't as valuable)

I think Brad did just fine with the roster. We had the #1 net rating in the league, only team in the league that was top 5 in both offensive and defensive rating (we were top 3 in both), #2 record in the league, with 2 blowout wins over the team that had #1 record in league. We're literally the favorites right now to win the title. But you're right - they're not all in

Gotta love the overreactions we get after 1 measly loss haha.

Griffin, Kornet, Kabengele, Vonleh and Muscala are nice for 12-15 man type roles.

You were the one that was hyped about Muscala and thought he was going to help the team. I liked Muscala, but I didn't expect him to play in the playoffs. He has been a end of bench guy most of his career.

Guy I wanted for this team was Dwight from pre season. He fit everything this team needed. Toughness, rebounding and defense. 15-18 minutes off the bench would have been more than enough. He helped the Lakers in a team a few years ago in that role.

Rob Williams? Serious? Healthy Rob, I agree. He hasn't looked right most of the season. His defense in games 2 and 3 have been subpar. He is having trouble moving his feet. In game 2, he couldn't get off the ground. He was two steps slow getting to loose balls and offensive rebounds. When healthy, Rob is a difference maker, defensively and on the offensive boards. We are getting destroyed on the boards and he can hardly move.

Dwight is washed up. 37 years old. The only team that wanted him this season was in the Chinese League.

[Feed Your Head]

Tatum has been quite good, 28/10/4 on a 58% TS, but we need him to be great. He needs to come out and have a monster game tomorrow, and I’d expect it.

Jaylen is struggling, we need a lot more from him. Whether it’s the mask, his hand, or whatever, 21/5/3 with 4 TO’s on a 55% TS is not going to cut it. I’d also expect him to have a big game tomorrow.

If we’re going to win it all, need Tatum to play like an MVP, and Jaylen to play like an all star.

[Triple7]

Easy. lol. I know your upset.

You think any of our players are as upset as you? Nope. You think they care as much as you? Nope.
And they get paid millions.

I like the venting. It's needed to release those emotions. But don't let it get to you to much.
Been there. Not worth it.

Also, this franchise knew they were close this year and the owners didn't do that small thing to give this team a
real shot at a title. Once we got Brogdon, we were and still are close to a title. Props to the owners and Brad for
that. But they stopped. Most of us knew what this team lacks, the owners and Brad knew too. A back up center that
could bring defense, toughness and rebounding. They didn't address that issue. That told me they aren't all in.

His name is robert williams.

Oh, you wanted ANOTHER backup center that brings defense, toughness and rebounding? Why, so he can ride the bench? Teams typically don't play 3 bigs in their playoff rotation. hell, denver is on their way to a 3-0 series lead and they only play 1 big in their rotation.

Brad added Griffin, he resigned kornet, he signed kabengele to a 2-way, he signed vonleh. then traded Vonleh, then traded for Muscala. you don't like those guys? well, too bad but don't say that brad did nothing. Muscala is the most consistent shooting big man the league has had over the past decade, he's a quick ball mover, good interior defender, formed one of the highest efficiency PnR duos with SGA. Would have contributed more after getting here but had knee tendinitis for awhile.

You wanted Brad to trade for someone else? well, too bad. Brad can't force another team to trade with us. It takes 2 teams to make a trade. And we have very limited assets (no blue chip young studs to trade, already traded our 2023 1st round pick, not allowed to trade our 2024 1st round pick till this summer, our draft picks aren't as valuable as other teams' picks either, since everyone knows we'll be a contender for the next. few years so our 1st round picks will be be very late 1st round picks, which aren't as valuable)

I think Brad did just fine with the roster. We had the #1 net rating in the league, only team in the league that was top 5 in both offensive and defensive rating (we were top 3 in both), #2 record in the league, with 2 blowout wins over the team that had #1 record in league. We're literally the favorites right now to win the title. But you're right - they're not all in

Gotta love the overreactions we get after 1 measly loss haha.

Griffin, Kornet, Kabengele, Vonleh and Muscala are nice for 12-15 man type roles.

You were the one that was hyped about Muscala and thought he was going to help the team. I liked Muscala, but I didn't expect him to play in the playoffs. He has been a end of bench guy most of his career.

[b]Guy I wanted for this team was Dwight from pre season. He fit everything this team needed. Toughness, rebounding and defense. 15-18 minutes off the bench would have been more than enough.[/b] He helped the Lakers in a team a few years ago in that role.

Rob Williams? Serious? Healthy Rob, I agree. He hasn't looked right most of the season. His defense in games 2 and 3 have been subpar. He is having trouble moving his feet. In game 2, he couldn't get off the ground. He was two steps slow getting to loose balls and offensive rebounds. When healthy, Rob is a difference maker, defensively and on the offensive boards. We are getting destroyed on the boards and he can hardly move.

I agree. He would have helped with rebounding and blocking shots. Even if he just use all 6 fouls against embiid and giannis. He can really rough them up.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

For context, after last night, Brown and Tatum's record in their last 16 first round games together is 15-1.

Congrats to Atlanta for hitting a bunch of shots (many of them contested despite the subpar defensive effort from Boston) with their season pretty much on the line. It seems unlikely they could reproduce that kind of performance in Game 4 though.

[Triple7]

They will never get past Embiid playing this way. Second round exit looks very possible.

Embiid has a right knee sprain, which could potentially grow worse as the playoffs progress. That's good for us next round, but we'll need to really push the pace against them. That Sixers team likes to play slow.

But we gotta take care of Atlanta first. Hopefully the Nets take a game off them too, so Embiid won't have much time to rest that knee.

That’s exactly what we need, Embiid to play extra games. That’s why the nets losing game 3 was crucial. They could have tied the series next game, and push it to 6 or even 7 games.

[Triple7]

For context, after last night, Brown and Tatum's record in their last 16 first round games together is 15-1.

Congrats to Atlanta for hitting a bunch of shots (many of them contested despite the subpar defensive effort from Boston) with their season pretty much on the line. It seems unlikely they could reproduce that kind of performance in Game 4 though.

We better get a good lead in game 4. If we let them hang around, or even get a lead, then we could very well lose again.

[Triple7]

His name is robert williams.

Oh, you wanted ANOTHER backup center that brings defense, toughness and rebounding? Why, so he can ride the bench? Teams typically don't play 3 bigs in their playoff rotation. hell, denver is on their way to a 3-0 series lead and they only play 1 big in their rotation.

Brad added Griffin, he resigned kornet, he signed kabengele to a 2-way, he signed vonleh. then traded Vonleh, then traded for Muscala. you don't like those guys? well, too bad but don't say that brad did nothing. Muscala is the most consistent shooting big man the league has had over the past decade, he's a quick ball mover, good interior defender, formed one of the highest efficiency PnR duos with SGA. Would have contributed more after getting here but had knee tendinitis for awhile.

You wanted Brad to trade for someone else? well, too bad. Brad can't force another team to trade with us. It takes 2 teams to make a trade. And we have very limited assets (no blue chip young studs to trade, already traded our 2023 1st round pick, not allowed to trade our 2024 1st round pick till this summer, our draft picks aren't as valuable as other teams' picks either, since everyone knows we'll be a contender for the next. few years so our 1st round picks will be be very late 1st round picks, which aren't as valuable)

I think Brad did just fine with the roster. We had the #1 net rating in the league, only team in the league that was top 5 in both offensive and defensive rating (we were top 3 in both), #2 record in the league, with 2 blowout wins over the team that had #1 record in league. We're literally the favorites right now to win the title. But you're right - they're not all in

Gotta love the overreactions we get after 1 measly loss haha.

Griffin, Kornet, Kabengele, Vonleh and Muscala are nice for 12-15 man type roles.

You were the one that was hyped about Muscala and thought he was going to help the team. I liked Muscala, but I didn't expect him to play in the playoffs. He has been a end of bench guy most of his career.

Guy I wanted for this team was Dwight from pre season. He fit everything this team needed. Toughness, rebounding and defense. 15-18 minutes off the bench would have been more than enough. He helped the Lakers in a team a few years ago in that role.

Rob Williams? Serious? Healthy Rob, I agree. He hasn't looked right most of the season. His defense in games 2 and 3 have been subpar. He is having trouble moving his feet. In game 2, he couldn't get off the ground. He was two steps slow getting to loose balls and offensive rebounds. When healthy, Rob is a difference maker, defensively and on the offensive boards. We are getting destroyed on the boards and he can hardly move.

Dwight is washed up. 37 years old. The only team that wanted him this season was in the Chinese League.

He’s definitely better than kornet, blake and muscala. No team wanted him because he probably wouldn’t want a reduced role.

[Ben-N1ce]

Overreact if they lose tomorrow. ATL played well and hit everything. Bostons' defense and rebounding need to be better because they will have off shooting nights. They have been scoring more than enough to win.

[MagicBagley18]

Lol at the Dwight Howard takes….not one team in the league wanted him and he was on a losing /.500 team at one point this season in the Taiwan league

[Hal14]

Tatum has been quite good, 28/10/4 on a 58% TS, but we need him to be great. He needs to come out and have a monster game tomorrow, and I’d expect it.

Jaylen is struggling, we need a lot more from him. Whether it’s the mask, his hand, or whatever, 21/5/3 with 4 TO’s on a 55% TS is not going to cut it. I’d also expect him to have a big game tomorrow.

If we’re going to win it all, need Tatum to play like an MVP, and Jaylen to play like an all star.

I don't think it's the mask. Overall, he's played very well with the mask on. He said a few days ago the hand was bothering him. A little concerning if the hand was bothering him in game 3, since we had an extra day off.

Also, concerning if Rob's knee was sore (assuming that's why he played low minutes) since we had an extra day off.

Marcus' back, Rob's knee, JB's hand. Our training staff has their hands (pun intended) full ahead of game 3.

JT just needs to play better. Hawks have 2 good rim protector big men who camp out in the paint and they bring a second defender to help anytime JB or JT tries to drive the lane so that makes it tough for them. The way to beat that type of defense is to play with pace, get the ball zipping around, throw some lobs to Rob, find some open shooters, find some guys cutting to the basket, etc. Don't just walk it up and go iso, which allows the defense to load up on stopping the driver. All stuff we did in the first 2 games - and at times in game 3.

[threrf23]

Congrats to Atlanta for hitting a bunch of shots (many of them contested despite the subpar defensive effort from Boston) with their season pretty much on the line. It seems unlikely they could reproduce that kind of performance in Game 4 though.

If they can once again dominate us in the interior, if we once again run a lazy offense characterized by quick shots, maybe. That's what allowed them to get in a good rhythm.

We did a solid job of forcing turnovers, but otherwise they dominated pace and possession and will probably beat us again if they are able to do that again.

[GoCeltics123]

Joe decided he wanted to practice drop coverage during a playoff game?!

We've been doing it all series, it worked in Boston. It didn't work this time because the effort to get over screens was **** until the 4th

[Feed Your Head]

Tatum has been quite good, 28/10/4 on a 58% TS, but we need him to be great. He needs to come out and have a monster game tomorrow, and I’d expect it.

Jaylen is struggling, we need a lot more from him. Whether it’s the mask, his hand, or whatever, 21/5/3 with 4 TO’s on a 55% TS is not going to cut it. I’d also expect him to have a big game tomorrow.

If we’re going to win it all, need Tatum to play like an MVP, and Jaylen to play like an all star.

I don't think it's the mask. Overall, he's played very well with the mask on. He said a few days ago the hand was bothering him. A little concerning if the hand was bothering him in game 3, since we had an extra day off.

Also, concerning if Rob's knee was sore (assuming that's why he played low minutes) since we had an extra day off.

Marcus' back, Rob's knee, JB's hand. Our training staff has their hands (pun intended) full ahead of game 3.

JT just needs to play better. Hawks have 2 good rim protector big men who camp out in the paint and they bring a second defender to help anytime JB or JT tries to drive the lane so that makes it tough for them. The way to beat that type of defense is to play with pace, get the ball zipping around, throw some lobs to Rob, find some open shooters, find some guys cutting to the basket, etc. Don't just walk it up and go iso, which allows the defense to load up on stopping the driver.

The offense has been good when Tatum has been in, and dreadful in the short minutes he’s sat, same with Al and Brogdon. They pretty much always play the right way offensively when Tatum is in. When he sits is where Jaylen need to play better on that end, that’s what all stars/all nba guys are supposed to do.

Offensive rating with Tatum in is 114.5, when he sits it’s 107. He’s done his job for the most part, but we needed more from him in the second half last night. 28/10/4 is really good, we just need mvp Tatum as opposed to really good. I’d be shocked if we don’t get a huge game from him tomorrow.

With Jaylen in, the offensive rating has been 106.9, and when he sits? It’s been 129.6, 10 points higher than the next closest player. He’s been brutal offensively thus far, but it’s a tiny sample, and I’d expect him to play better going forward. The Hawks are throwing almost all of their defensive attention at Tatum, Jaylen needs to make them pay for it.

[GoCeltics123]

I would've liked to see Blake Griffin last night with the rebounding being so awful and Rob not showing up.

Not a permanent solution, and our pick and roll defense was already getting killed as-is, but the team lost the game because they didn't rebound in the second half and didn't defend in the first, it's that simple

[London2Boston]

I would've liked to see Blake Griffin last night with the rebounding being so awful and Rob not showing up.

Not a permanent solution, and our pick and roll defense was already getting killed as-is, but the team lost the game because they didn't rebound in the second half and didn't defend in the first, it's that simple

Me too. Even if just for 5mins or so. He definitely would have bought some heart and hustle at least which was lacking.

[Hal14]

I would've liked to see Blake Griffin last night with the rebounding being so awful and Rob not showing up.

Not a permanent solution, and our pick and roll defense was already getting killed as-is, but the team lost the game because they didn't rebound in the second half and didn't defend in the first, it's that simple

FWIW, rebounding % for each of them this season:

Muscala 11.6%
Griffin 14.9%
Kornet 13.4%

Before looking these up just now, I actually thought Kornet's was higher than Griffin's. I feel like earlier in the season when I checked, Griffin's was down around 12%. He must have really got better rebounding later in the season.

Probably would have been a good idea to throw him in there for a few mins last night. Will be interesting to see if he gets in there tomorrow. The challenge is that he doesn't give us much on the offensive end - especially if he isn't able to knock down those 3's and make the opposing team pay for leaving him open.

[bisme37]

I didn't think it was on JT but I love the accountability.

Read on Twitter

[Curmudgeon]

Yes, the young man is growing up.

[Shak_Celts]

Let's all just ignore our All-Star/All-NBA/Supermax/Playoff Performer scoring 15 points on 15 shots and 2 free throws while getting repeatedly burned on defense. We lost because Tatum has no heart.

Yep, Brown has been CACA poopoo.

[playa-hater]

Give a team wide open shots.. You end up giving a team some Rythm.. Confidence And life.. Sure in the second half there were some contested shots that were hit.. There are always contested shots hit in every game.. But giving up 74 points in a half, 41 in a quarter.. 13 for 14 from the 2nd unit.. 38 paint points in one half is a recipe for a disaster.

Our team hit a season high 15 freakin 3 pointers in a half and were losing by 10??

We lost this game for no bigger reason than we gave sh*t effort in the first half.. Don't know how anyone can debate this.