E. CONF. FINALS – Gm 6: Celtics (2) @ Heat (3) – 8:30PM, Sat, May 27, 2023

[PierceFan4ever]

Not sure if we can count on white and smart to hit 10 threes again on the road. Gonna need Horford, Rob, Grant, and Brogdon to do more offensively along with the Jays obviously playing at a high level. Tatum needs to start the game exactly like he did last game. The whole team for that matter, any effort less than what we saw last game would be disappointing. If we match the Heat’s effort or better, we win.

[VeryMuchWoke]

We need a wildcard for this game. Heat has been getting consistent production from bums. We really need a fluky shooting by someone like Horford or Brogdon on one arm

We don't need any flukes. We just need to be locked in for 48 minutes. If we do that and match their energy they're the team that needs something flukey.

I guess we need a decent gameplan as well. Maybe Joe being up to the task could be considered a fluke.

[zoyathedestroya]

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[Bostondave]

I mightg be misremembering but he took Rob out of the starting lineup for game 3. And we all know the disastrous results of that game. Since he's kept Rob out of the lineup and we've won. So I'm not sure what to think. My instincts and basketball acumen tell me it's better to start Rob than not. But two wins...... I think I'd like to see Rob start in game 6. I will stand on their best lineup being Rob, Al, Jays and DWhite or Smart pickem. Brogs is hurt so take him out of the equation.

But I will say I'm pleasantly surprised at Grant coming in a doing things. Come to think of it he was a DNP in all the losses wasn't he? And played in all the wins? Maybe that's something to consider.

[philing00]

Let’s contain the Heat role players esp from 3. Let their stars beat us. CANNOT let Robinson get confident. He is good enough to find the open man when we help on him.

[Mr_Mojo_Risin]

Don't let playoff Jimmy show up. If he does its a wrap. Defend him like you did last night and you'll win.

Obviously, the key is to put bigger guys on Jimmy. He was scoring at will vs white and brogdon, even Smart a little bit. I think there was even 1 or 2 possessions where Pritchard got switched on him earlier in the series.

These last 2 games, it's been a lot of Tatum and Grant on him, some Al, some Rob, and a little bit of JB. And Butler has struggled.

We've also done a good job of knowing when to bring a second defender over to double him. Not letting him have too much space to operate, trying to force him towards the baseline where he might step out of bounds or get caught in no man's land and have to throw desperation passes cross court.

Just gotta keep up that gameplan.

White and co. have all been better at not jumping on his pump fakes.

[Fencer reregistered]

Let’s contain the Heat role players esp from 3. Let their stars beat us. CANNOT let Robinson get confident. He is good enough to find the open man when we help on him.

Does Robinson ever play as if he's not confident?

The core skill of his game is shooting the ball without time to think about it.

That said, the versatility of his offense last game was a scary eye-opener. He was 5-7 on 2pt shots and 9/1 on A/TO, while only going 2/3 from 3.

[Tyakack]

For me, this is game 7. I think if the Celtics win this they will blow doors off the heat in game 7 IMO. I give the heat a 5% chance of winning that game. This game I'm a little worried about because I think the heat know they have to win this one... So we are likely gonna get their best shot.

That being said I agree with Barkley. If the Celtics play their best or close to it, there's nothing the heat can do about it!

[Mr_Mojo_Risin]

I don’t subscribe to what everyone else is saying. If we happen to win game 6 (big if) then game 7 will also be a dogfight that we’re not guaranteed to win.

Nonetheless game 6 is all that matters right now. All I want to see is that same level of focus and energy.

[sam_I_am]

Let’s contain the Heat role players esp from 3. Let their stars beat us. CANNOT let Robinson get confident. He is good enough to find the open man when we help on him.

Does Robinson ever play as if he's not confident?

The core skill of his game is shooting the ball without time to think about it.

That said, the versatility of his offense last game was a scary eye-opener. He was 5-7 on 2pt shots and 9/1 and A/TO, while only going 2/3 from 3.

I don’t know how a guy who plays only 40 games all year and is out of rotation just kills us in the ECF. I never understood why he was rotting on bench all year when they weren’t playing well and were supposedly trying to trade him. He is a much better player now than he was in bubble when he was a huge part of their rotation. I guess with Strus, Martin and Herro ahead of him there weren’t enough minutes.

[zoyathedestroya]

If we don’t win this game, let’s make history and extend the series to 9 games.

[Tyakack]

I don’t subscribe to what everyone else is saying. If we happen to win game 6 (big if) then game 7 will also be a dogfight that we’re not guaranteed to win.

Nonetheless game 6 is all that matters right now. All I want to see is that same level of focus and energy.

You could certainly be right, I just lean more towards game 7 going down similar to how game 5 went. Both teams are gonna be amped. The crowd is gonna be rocking, and with the talent gap, I don't think the heat will be able to overcome it unless they play the game of their lives and hit on all cylinders.

Let's get there first though.... I certainly think the heat can win this game.

[Mr_Mojo_Risin]

I don’t subscribe to what everyone else is saying. If we happen to win game 6 (big if) then game 7 will also be a dogfight that we’re not guaranteed to win.

Nonetheless game 6 is all that matters right now. All I want to see is that same level of focus and energy.

You could certainly be right, I just lean more towards game 7 going down similar to how game 5 went. Both teams are gonna be amped. The crowd is gonna be rocking, and with the talent gap, I don't think the heat will be able to overcome it unless they play the game of their lives and hit on all cylinders.

Let's get there first though.... I certainly think the heat can win this game.

If we get to game 7 then it will be the first elimination game Miami has faced. Personally I can’t see them being anything but super focused.

[Fencer reregistered]

Let’s contain the Heat role players esp from 3. Let their stars beat us. CANNOT let Robinson get confident. He is good enough to find the open man when we help on him.

Does Robinson ever play as if he's not confident?

The core skill of his game is shooting the ball without time to think about it.

That said, the versatility of his offense last game was a scary eye-opener. He was 5-7 on 2pt shots and 9/1 and A/TO, while only going 2/3 from 3.

I don’t know how a guy who plays only 40 games all year and is out of rotation just kills us in the ECF. I never understood why he was rotting on bench all year when they weren’t playing well and were supposedly trying to trade him. He is a much better player now than he was in bubble when he was a huge part of their rotation. I guess with Strus, Martin and Herro ahead of him there weren’t enough minutes.

Obvious theories:

-- Defense, which sucked even in that great offensive game.
-- LIngering minor injury.

To the second point, I've long suspected that minor injuries contribute to guys being streaky in games of precision, such as baseball and basketball. Many minor injuries threaten the world-class precision they need to succeed. Most of those injuries they successfully adapt to. Some, however, they do not?

[Tyakack]

I actually kind of agree with this to some extent. The celtics should get SOME credit for making it a series, but, all they really did was the bare minimum of what literally everyone expected them to do in the first place. Congrats, you didn't get completely embarrassed.

They need to win the series to get any real praise or props. It's within reach now and you're the better team. Get it the f*** done!

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[canman1971]

I actually kind of agree with this to some extent. The celtics should get SOME credit for making it a series, but, all they really did was the bare minimum of what literally everyone expected them to do in the first place. Congrats, you didn't get completely embarrassed.

They need to win the series to get any real praise or props. It's within reach now and you're the better team. Get it the f*** done!

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Nothing to do with the Celtics’ situation, these guys are all just d-bags.

[zoyathedestroya]

If Brogdon is out, just tighten the rotation if Joe doesn’t trust Hauser. Tatum and Brown are already playing around 40 mpg. Just increase Smart, White, and/or Grant’s minutes to cover for Brogdon. Any of the remaining rotation players can shoot better from outside (except Rob) and around the rim than Brogs with an injured shooting arm. Results in stingier defense too.

PG - Smart (38), White (10)
SG - White (26), Brown (22)
SF - Brown (18), Tatum (30)
PF - Tatum (10), Grant (28), Horford (10)
C - Horford (20) Timelord (28)

If you want to remove the double big minutes, then you really are forced to play Hauser/PP or play Grant even more minutes.

[Parliament10]

Can the Boston Celtics pull off a Red Sox-style comeback after being down 0-3?
by Mark Medina | Published May 26, 2023 | sportsnaut.com

https://sportsnaut.com/boston-celtics-historic-nba-comeback-miami-heat/

Zero out of 150 NBA teams have ever won a Game 7 after losing the first three games. Only three other teams have forced a Game 7 only to lose the decisive game, anyway.

Can the Celtics be the First?
If there is any team that can do it, it's this Celtics Team . . .

[Ben-N1ce]

I actually kind of agree with this to some extent. The celtics should get SOME credit for making it a series, but, all they really did was the bare minimum of what literally everyone expected them to do in the first place. Congrats, you didn't get completely embarrassed.

They need to win the series to get any real praise or props. It's within reach now and you're the better team. Get it the f*** done!

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Well they shouldn't be applauded that's silly unless they win. They were heavy favorites in the series so making it a series is absolutely the bare min like you said. I do wonder if this saved Joe's job and they bring him back with veteran assistants.

[Tyakack]

I actually kind of agree with this to some extent. The celtics should get SOME credit for making it a series, but, all they really did was the bare minimum of what literally everyone expected them to do in the first place. Congrats, you didn't get completely embarrassed.

They need to win the series to get any real praise or props. It's within reach now and you're the better team. Get it the f*** done!

Read on Twitter

Well they shouldn't be applauded that's silly unless they win. They were heavy favorites in the series so making it a series is absolutely the bare min like you said. I do wonder if this saved Joe's job and they bring him back with veteran assistants.

The only way I'll be able to cope with this is if the celtics win a title. To be fair, he has been better with pretty much everything lately.. Joe strikes me as a very stubborn person. He will adjust when he's forced and not a second sooner. That is the vibe I get anyway.