EC FINALS, Gm 2 – Pacers (0) @ Celtics (1) – 8:00PM, Thurs, May 23, 2024

[JimmyFromNz]

I don't want to sound dramatic - there's enough of that here. But I'm really treating this game as the first litmus test.

Despite some bumps in game 1, I saw some really positive signs in execution (yes it wasn't perfect), and it felt like the team got pushed out of their comfort zone finally. Let's say they shifted into 4th gear urgency for periods of that game, particularly on defense when they needed it in OT.

Without the excuses of having limp opponents or the pitfall of game 1 lethargy after an extended lay off, I'm really interested to see how they respond. Particularly with the lineups, and defensive adjustments for what is a clear hole in the middle of the paint/PnR without KP - I dont think it is a mystery how Indiana are going to play.

A lot of that is going to fall on coaching, but the intensity and application comes down to our big 4. I've been largely positive throughout the bumps, but if we can't get some of these things right with a clear run up then there will be deserved criticism.

Celtics by 12.

[tfribs45]

Hate to say this the day after Jaylen hit the big shot but we are +8.9 with Tatum on and Brown on and +30.2 with Tatum on, Brown off. As influential as Tatum's presence on the court might be, it's dwarfed by the influence Jaylen's absence exerts on the game.

We get you, if the Celtics didn't have Jaylen Brown they would have been 82-0 in the regular season and 9-0 in these playoffs. Thanks for your input.

Anything to fit his narrative smfh this crap is almost as bad as the Mahcusss Smahhht hate club/cult. Give me a break, JB will be the Alpha of this group when it’s all said and done. Banner 18 isnt happening without the man?! Get used to it

[shackles10]

Game 1 passing stats

IND : 361 passes made, 38 total assists
BOS: 274 passes made, 30 total assists

Game one was a learning experience, for all our guys, at how fast Indiana plays and how much they zip the ball around relative to the other playoff offenses. Glad we got the W and let’s be ready for the pace in Gm 2.

Boston offensive rating = 120.2
Indiana offensive rating = 115.7
I learned that passing the ball a lot doesn't already lead to better offense. Our best offense was exploiting big on small mismatches, while small on big (usually Tatum or Jaylen on Turner) didn't get us much.

I don’t think it’s a case of “they pass more than us so we need to pass more too”. In fact, I don’t think it’s really an offensive issue for us at all. It’s more a case of this is what the Pacers do, regardless of agreement or disagreement on the strategy, so be ready for it. We often got beat defensively because we were only defending one pass away or sometimes even just on ball and not any passes away.

[Parliament10]

Congratulations to Our Players!!!

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[Gant]

I hope the Celtics win this game, and do it in a soothing and satisfying way that gently meets everyone's expectations.

[165bows]

I hope the Celtics win this game, and do it in a soothing and satisfying way that gently meets everyone's expectations.

Oh my I’m dying over here.

[Parliament10]

I hope the Celtics win this game, and do it in a soothing and satisfying way that gently meets everyone's expectations.

Oh my I’m dying over here.

Yeah. Let the Good Times roll, huh.

[165bows]

Is it crazy to want to throw a little double big man (Al/Kornet or even a couple minutes of Kornet/Tillman) into the mix? This team is a bit small and soft, hit them inside.

Alternatively give Springer a few minutes with the starters. Help wear out their back court a bit.

[BK_2020]

Is it crazy to want to throw a little double big man (Al/Kornet or even a couple minutes of Kornet/Tillman) into the mix? This team is a bit small and soft, hit them inside.

Alternatively give Springer a few minutes with the starters. Help wear out their back court a bit.

Springer would let their back court rest up and recover though since they don't have to play defense.

[165bows]

Is it crazy to want to throw a little double big man (Al/Kornet or even a couple minutes of Kornet/Tillman) into the mix? This team is a bit small and soft, hit them inside.

Alternatively give Springer a few minutes with the starters. Help wear out their back court a bit.

Springer would let their back court rest up and recover though since they don't have to play defense.

Nah play him with all shooters and just make it a mix of cutting to the hoop and wrestling for post up position. Just four minutes straight of high intensity bodying dudes up everywhere.

That’s about where his game is at for now and seems like maybe the best fit for it with some guys that don’t love defense on the other side.

[Parliament10]

Is it crazy to want to throw a little double big man (Al/Kornet or even a couple minutes of Kornet/Tillman) into the mix? This team is a bit small and soft, hit them inside.

Alternatively give Springer a few minutes with the starters. Help wear out their back court a bit.

I like the Double-big Lineup. It could be useful, in spurts.
Tillman and Kornet can actually hit 3's. Might be able to add the Horford/Tillman pair in there, too.

[Parliament10]

If only Queta wasn't a Foul magnet.
He's not going to go far, until he corrects that.

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[Riverwalk2021]

Horford should be exclusively on Nesmith going forward mixed in with some zone. I want Nesmith handling and shooting the ball as much as possible.

[Bill Lumbergh]

If only Queta wasn't a Foul magnet.
He's not going to go far, until he corrects that.

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I'd give him a try. Al is bound to have some dead legs this next game after what he played yesterday. If Turner is torching Kornet next game, why not give Queta a try. It'll either work or it won't.

[1st banana]

I **** hate Tim bontempts I hope we win just to see his dumb **** face cry about how awful we are.

He’s shook after that clutch win. Let’s take control and win tomo and go into Indy all pressure on them.

[CelticFaninLBC]

The starters should play 40+ minutes each and Hauser shouldn't play.

[zoyathedestroya]

[Riverwalk2021]

The starters should play 40+ minutes each and Hauser shouldn't play.

Yeah and Tatum shouldn't come out. Insane he had Kornet, Pritchard and Hauser out there at the same time. Basketball malpractice.

[CelticFaninLBC]

The starters should play 40+ minutes each and Hauser shouldn't play.

Yeah and Tatum shouldn't come out. Insane he had Kornet, Pritchard and Hauser out there at the same time. Basketball malpractice.

Yep, it's no longer the regular season.

[FlatearthZorro]

Need to figure out a better solution than Kornet. I don’t think you can pay Al this many minutes every other day. ECF schedule is not kind to old legs.

Suggestion doesn't seem sound after he stunk in G1, but I would play Hauser more minutes and just go small. He thrives better on heavier minutes and more touches/actions ran for him. I don't think he's the type that can impact the game playing 6-10 mpg and asked to just stand in the corner.

True, both PP and Hauser have proven that they do better when they play more minutes and get more touches.