EC FINALS, Gm 1 – Pacers @ Celtics – 8:00PM, Tues, May 21, 2024

[zoyathedestroya]

Hope no one is counting on a Game 2 win. Celtics in 5.

Read on Twitter

[TheMartian]

I know the Celtics fared poorly against the Pacers in the regular season and in the in-season tourney, but does anybody recall how they fared against the Knicks? Did Brunson torch the C's in any of their games?

[Fierce1]

I know the Celtics fared poorly against the Pacers in the regular season and in the in-season tourney, but does anybody recall how they fared against the Knicks? Did Brunson torch the C's in any of their games?

Cs won 4 straight against the Knicks.

It was only in the last meeting, in April, that the Cs lost to NY.

Brunson always played well, but it wasn't enough in the first 4 meetings.

[KamikazeK]

Losing to the Nuggets in a competitive series is no disgrace but lets be honest about the ECFs. Both the Knicks and Pacers are scrub teams. If the Celtics lose to either even without Porzingis it would be far worse than year's meltdown against the Heat.

If it does happen I will be leading the call for Mazzulla's job and trading Brown.

I see enough of this **** in neutral fan boards, I don't need this crap on Celtics boards too.

[zoyathedestroya]

I know the Celtics fared poorly against the Pacers in the regular season and in the in-season tourney, but does anybody recall how they fared against the Knicks? Did Brunson torch the C's in any of their games?

Not sure we can take much from those games. Cs 4-1 vs. Knicks in reg season. Three of the wins, Knicks had Robinson and Randle plus still had Grimes. Only one win was without Randle and Robinson (closest to what they have now). Their lone win vs. Cs had OG in the lineup. Brunson averaged 27/2/5/1 on 48/40/73 splits.

Don't really know what strategy Joe will employ re defending Brunson/Knicks but feels like drop isn't the way to go. Probably switch but can't have our bigs switching on to him.

[zoyathedestroya]

Which player's closeout game performance in ECSF was your favorite:

Kelly Olynyk vs. Wizards, G7

Watch on YouTube

Grant Williams vs. Bucks, G7

Watch on YouTube

Al Horford vs. Cavs, G5

Watch on YouTube

[Fierce1]

For me, Grant vs. the Bucks Game 7.

[steefP2]

I know the Celtics fared poorly against the Pacers in the regular season and in the in-season tourney, but does anybody recall how they fared against the Knicks? Did Brunson torch the C's in any of their games?

4-1. They only one the last when the celtics weren't trying anymore. Brunson went off that game. Other games he didnt do much or not efficiently anyway. We lost the possesion battle each game i think cause oreb but it never mattered. all these games were without OG

[Parasite]

I’m on vacation in Turks and Caicos, the C’s win three straight games…do I even bother coming back?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

All Americans should be boycotting that place until they send the Americans home whom they arrested.

Having said that, I hope the Pacers win game 6. We need all the rest we can get for KP and Al.

[Tyakack]

I’m on vacation in Turks and Caicos, the C’s win three straight games…do I even bother coming back?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

All Americans should be boycotting that place until they send the Americans home whom they arrested.

Having said that, I hope the Pacers win game 6. We need all the rest we can get for KP and Al.

Pretty sure it's irrelevant now that the Wolves won game 6. The Celtics series starts on the 21st regardless if the pacers win game 6 or not.

[zoyathedestroya]

I’m on vacation in Turks and Caicos, the C’s win three straight games…do I even bother coming back?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

All Americans should be boycotting that place until they send the Americans home whom they arrested.

Having said that, I hope the Pacers win game 6. We need all the rest we can get for KP and Al.

Pretty sure it's irrelevant now that the Wolves won game 6. The Celtics series starts on the 21st regardless if the pacers win game 6 or not.

Yep, G1 is on 21st and it's every other day from there.

Only relevant in that we want our ECF opponent to be beat up more than they already are lol. I want multiple OTs for G6 & G7. Then just one day rest for whoever comes out of that series.

[zoyathedestroya]

These three thoughts can exist simultaneously in your head as a Celtics fan:
1) "I want the easiest path to the Finals."
2) "I fully recognize the tremendous luck this team is experiencing in their postseason run."
3) "I know this team hasn't been tested yet in such a way that their best has been required. TBD if they're up to the challenge."

So I don't mind other people pointing out #3. Since it's true. Really can't compare the Cavs (w/o Allen and Mitchell) to anyone in the West semis -- #1 seed w/ the #2 in MVP voting, 50-win team w/ #3 in MVP voting + a ramped-up defense post-ASB, defending champs w/ 3x MVP, #1 defense w/ DPOY and arguably 2nd best player in playoffs right now.

[Fierce1]

I'm not so sure the Cs are very lucky this year.

I mean the Cs lost their star Center to injury in the 1st rnd.

Teams like Minny and Denver didn't have star players missing multiple games in the playoffs.

[BK_2020]

These three thoughts can exist simultaneously in your head as a Celtics fan:
1) "I want the easiest path to the Finals."
2) "I fully recognize the tremendous luck this team is experiencing in their postseason run."
3) "I know this team hasn't been tested yet in such a way that their best has been required. TBD if they're up to the challenge."

So I don't mind other people pointing out #3. Since it's true. Really can't compare the Cavs (w/o Allen and Mitchell) to anyone in the West semis -- #1 seed w/ the #2 in MVP voting, 50-win team w/ #3 in MVP voting + a ramped-up defense post-ASB, defending champs w/ 3x MVP, #1 defense w/ DPOY and arguably 2nd best player in playoffs right now.

Yeah but the narratives are a bit onesided.
Team A can barely beat the 7th seed that was 19th in SRS including two by basically coinflips, recording 114 ORtg in 1st round against a team that starts Dlo, and they are an invincible basketball machine that Plays the Right Way ©, Low Variance ©, Consistent ©, Perfect Execution ©, Unbeatable When They Are Hot/ In Rhythm/ Making Their Shots ©.
Team B has +12.6 net rating, playing weak competition but putting them away, and they are frauds and will get destroyed if they play a good team which is basically any team that has not had the bad fortune to play Team B yet.

[zoyathedestroya]

These three thoughts can exist simultaneously in your head as a Celtics fan:
1) "I want the easiest path to the Finals."
2) "I fully recognize the tremendous luck this team is experiencing in their postseason run."
3) "I know this team hasn't been tested yet in such a way that their best has been required. TBD if they're up to the challenge."

So I don't mind other people pointing out #3. Since it's true. Really can't compare the Cavs (w/o Allen and Mitchell) to anyone in the West semis -- #1 seed w/ the #2 in MVP voting, 50-win team w/ #3 in MVP voting + a ramped-up defense post-ASB, defending champs w/ 3x MVP, #1 defense w/ DPOY and arguably 2nd best player in playoffs right now.

Yeah but the narratives are a bit onesided.
Team A can barely beat the 7th seed that was 19th in SRS including two by basically coinflips, recording 114 ORtg in 1st round against a team that starts Dlo, and they are an invincible basketball machine that Plays the Right Way ©, Low Variance ©, Consistent ©, Perfect Execution ©, Unbeatable When They Are Hot/ In Rhythm/ Making Their Shots ©.
Team B has +12.6 net rating, playing weak competition but putting them away, and they are frauds and will get destroyed if they play a good team which is basically any team that has not had the bad fortune to play Team B yet.

Unfair or not, Team A led by Jokic is afforded more leeway 'cause they actually won a championship already. These Celtics led by JT and JB haven't. It all boils down to that. Up to you which narrative to believe or dismiss. I personally am still on wait-and-see mode when it comes to the Celtics facing a non-lottery team in these playoffs. Regular season is the regular season. Already gave them their flowers for that. The first two rounds are meh. Did what they were supposed to do. Is anyone really saying we're frauds? (I don't visit the GB so I wouldn't know.)

[zoyathedestroya]

Anyway, win it all and shut everyone up (including me).

[BK_2020]

These three thoughts can exist simultaneously in your head as a Celtics fan:
1) "I want the easiest path to the Finals."
2) "I fully recognize the tremendous luck this team is experiencing in their postseason run."
3) "I know this team hasn't been tested yet in such a way that their best has been required. TBD if they're up to the challenge."

So I don't mind other people pointing out #3. Since it's true. Really can't compare the Cavs (w/o Allen and Mitchell) to anyone in the West semis -- #1 seed w/ the #2 in MVP voting, 50-win team w/ #3 in MVP voting + a ramped-up defense post-ASB, defending champs w/ 3x MVP, #1 defense w/ DPOY and arguably 2nd best player in playoffs right now.

Yeah but the narratives are a bit onesided.
Team A can barely beat the 7th seed that was 19th in SRS including two by basically coinflips, recording 114 ORtg in 1st round against a team that starts Dlo, and they are an invincible basketball machine that Plays the Right Way ©, Low Variance ©, Consistent ©, Perfect Execution ©, Unbeatable When They Are Hot/ In Rhythm/ Making Their Shots ©.
Team B has +12.6 net rating, playing weak competition but putting them away, and they are frauds and will get destroyed if they play a good team which is basically any team that has not had the bad fortune to play Team B yet.

Unfair or not, Team A led by Jokic is afforded more leeway 'cause they actually won a championship already. These Celtics led by JT and JB haven't. It all boils down to that. Up to you which narrative to believe or dismiss. I personally am still on wait-and-see mode when it comes to the Celtics facing a non-lottery team in these playoffs. Regular season is the regular season. Already gave them their flowers for that. The first two rounds are meh. Did what they were supposed to do. Is anyone really saying we're frauds? (I don't visit the GB so I wouldn't know.)

Yeah the championship they won by beating 5th seeds and below. Imagine what the twitter/RGM narratives would be if the Celtics won in such a manner.

[zoyathedestroya]

Yeah but the narratives are a bit onesided.
Team A can barely beat the 7th seed that was 19th in SRS including two by basically coinflips, recording 114 ORtg in 1st round against a team that starts Dlo, and they are an invincible basketball machine that Plays the Right Way ©, Low Variance ©, Consistent ©, Perfect Execution ©, Unbeatable When They Are Hot/ In Rhythm/ Making Their Shots ©.
Team B has +12.6 net rating, playing weak competition but putting them away, and they are frauds and will get destroyed if they play a good team which is basically any team that has not had the bad fortune to play Team B yet.

Unfair or not, Team A led by Jokic is afforded more leeway 'cause they actually won a championship already. These Celtics led by JT and JB haven't. It all boils down to that. Up to you which narrative to believe or dismiss. I personally am still on wait-and-see mode when it comes to the Celtics facing a non-lottery team in these playoffs. Regular season is the regular season. Already gave them their flowers for that. The first two rounds are meh. Did what they were supposed to do. Is anyone really saying we're frauds? (I don't visit the GB so I wouldn't know.)

Yeah the championship they won by beating 5th seeds and below. Imagine what the twitter/RGM narratives would be if the Celtics won in such a manner.

Their championship is as legit as the championship we will celebrate in June after beating exactly one healthy real team.

[BK_2020]

Unfair or not, Team A led by Jokic is afforded more leeway 'cause they actually won a championship already. These Celtics led by JT and JB haven't. It all boils down to that. Up to you which narrative to believe or dismiss. I personally am still on wait-and-see mode when it comes to the Celtics facing a non-lottery team in these playoffs. Regular season is the regular season. Already gave them their flowers for that. The first two rounds are meh. Did what they were supposed to do. Is anyone really saying we're frauds? (I don't visit the GB so I wouldn't know.)

Yeah the championship they won by beating 5th seeds and below. Imagine what the twitter/RGM narratives would be if the Celtics won in such a manner.

Their championship is as legit as the championship we will celebrate in June after beating exactly one healthy real team.

Exactly my point. But you won't hear that from Inside the NBA/ Twitter/ GB/ Celtics board. *Forgot to add Perk and Steven A Smith

[Deivork]

I don't see us losing more than a game against the Pacers, they're fun and all but I don't think they're necessarily better than the Cavs.

The Knicks with a healthy OG is the first team that would have an actual shot us sending us home. That is a very good and well coached team and they leave it all out on the floor. MSG would be the most hostile environment we play in this season. That being said, if we take it seriously and don't f*ck around I don't see how they keep up with our scoring in a 7 game series. I'd guess 4-2 Cs

Agreed, but it should be 4-0 against the Knicks if KP comes back. We are that stacked and they are that depleted.