CELTICS CLUTCH AGAIN, SWEEP PACERS! ECF G4 Victory Cigar vs IND 5/27 (BOS WINS 4-0! WE'RE GOING TO THE FINALS!)

[Mr_Mojo_Risin]

the media is really underestimating how difficult it is to defend this pacers team. defending dallas is gonna feel like vacation for our guys with how iso heavy they are with their two stars. there wont be nearly as much confusion on that end of the floor

In some ways it’s also their first line of defense too because it seriously tires out their opposition to defend them as they rotate 8-10 through big minutes at high speed. I said this in the game thread that while we did settle somewhat at times, I understand it given the level of effort required to defend them then constantly drive when our bench was not as useful.

I’m giving the Pacers an enormous amount of respect, they brought it hard on both ends.

[zoyathedestroya]

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[Fierce1]

Brian Robb: Jaylen Brown says he wanted to step up his leadership this year after Marcus Smart trade: “When he wasn’t here I wanted to make sure I stepped in and everyone felt me.” 42 mins ago – via Twitter BrianTRobb
https://hoopshype.com/team/boston-celtics/

[Fierce1]

Reason why the Celtics are very good in the clutch in this year's playoffs is there is a hierarchy.

The ball went through the hands of the Jays when it was winning time.

Back in 2022, Smart took the last shot when Milwaukee was leading by 1 point and only a few seconds remained in the game.
The Cs ended up losing that Game 5, in Boston.

In the ECF of that same year, Celtics had the ball and a 2-point lead in Game 7, at Miami, with 21 seconds left.
But Marcus Smart once again took the last shot and missed.
Jimmy Butler got the rebound and pulled up for a 3-pointer and missed.
If Butler made that 3, Cs might not have gone to the finals in 2022.

Last year same thing happened in the ECF, Game 6, at Miami.
Miami had a 1-point lead with 3 seconds remaining.
After the timeout, Smart got the inbound and immediately shot the ball and missed.
Fortunately White was able to put the ball back in for a buzzer beater putback.

This year the Celtics are more organized when it's down to last minute execution.

There's no going off script.

[jonige94]

We're gonna need to play a lot better in the finals if we want to win.

The way we're playing won't get it done.

[zoyathedestroya]

Not sure if mentioned already... Tatum/Brown tied Bird/McHale for most playoff games (17) by a Celtics duo scoring 25+ points each.

[Fierce1]

We're gonna need to play a lot better in the finals if we want to win.

The way we're playing won't get it done.

Don't be surprised if the Cs sweep the Mavs or beat the Mavs in 5.

Because of Coach Finch's refusal to take the ball out of the hands of Luka and Kyrie, the Wolves are making the Mavs look better than what they actually are.

The Mavs have not come close to generating the kind of offense that the Pacers threw at the Celtics.

[31to6]

well slap my junk
through the East in 14 games
9 of them without KP
and to the Finals with experience, with HCA, and as (presumably) the favorites
LETTTTT'S GGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

[Fierce1]

And there will a number of fans that's going to end up disappointed with the finals.

Not because the Celtics lost, but because the Mavs were underwhelming.

[Birdon]

We're gonna need to play a lot better in the finals if we want to win.

The way we're playing won't get it done.

Don't be surprised if the Cs sweep the Mavs or beat the Mavs in 5.

Because of Coach Finch's refusal to take the ball out of the hands of Luka and Kyrie, the Wolves are making the Mavs look better than what they actually are.

The Mavs have not come close to generating the kind of offense that the Pacers threw at the Celtics.

Finch makes OJT Joe look like Red Auerbach out there.
There’s no way Mazz will allow Luka, who isn’t 100%, and Kyrie to pace the game.
JB, White, Jrue, JT will make Luka and Kyrie run.
Absolutely no reason to be destroyed that way.

[zoyathedestroya]

Haliburton wore the Reggie Miller choke hoodie while Pacers fans chanted "We want Boston" after they won vs. the Knicks. The Pacers then went on to lose 3 games where they had a 90%+ probability of winning in the 4th Q and got swept on their home floor. Can't make this up.

[Mr_Mojo_Risin]

well slap my junk
through the East in 14 games
9 of them without KP
and to the Finals with experience, with HCA, and as (presumably) the favorites
LETTTTT'S GGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

10 without KP but who’s counting?

[zoyathedestroya]

Read on Twitter

It's frustrating as hell. No opportunity to go into a second action if defense shuts down your first. End up with an iso pullup or a one-pass contested shot.

[bobbutts]

Really happy with how this team performed against the Pacers. Playing like that I like our chances against anyone. We simply can't let this be Kyrie's year. That would be a terrible story-line.

[BK_2020]

Read on Twitter

It's frustrating as hell. No opportunity to go into a second action if defense shuts down your first. End up with an iso pullup or a one-pass contested shot.

Taking time off the clock means your opposition gets a much worse scoring opportunity. That's more valuable than having a 1.15 ppp offensive position vs. .95 ppp one. And it's not like you are not allowed to grab offensive rebounds if you start your action late. That's why every team does it. In the last Dallas-Wolves game, the Mavs up four and 2 minutes on the clock started their action with 14 seconds left on the clock. After a miss and a stop, they went back and started their action 14 seconds on the clock. They won and so did we.
TLDR; if starting an action a few seconds earlier makes it a lot easier for us to score, the same logic applies to the other team. In fact, 10 seconds vs 5 is a bigger difference than 19 seconds vs 14.

[165bows]

the media is really underestimating how difficult it is to defend this pacers team. defending dallas is gonna feel like vacation for our guys with how iso heavy they are with their two stars. there wont be nearly as much confusion on that end of the floor

In some ways it’s also their first line of defense too because it seriously tires out their opposition to defend them as they rotate 8-10 through big minutes at high speed. I said this in the game thread that while we did settle somewhat at times, I understand it given the level of effort required to defend them then constantly drive when our bench was not as useful.

I’m giving the Pacers an enormous amount of respect, they brought it hard on both ends.

Yup, Pacers played really tough, have to give them tons of credit.

[CelticsPride18]

the media is really underestimating how difficult it is to defend this pacers team. defending dallas is gonna feel like vacation for our guys with how iso heavy they are with their two stars. there wont be nearly as much confusion on that end of the floor

In some ways it’s also their first line of defense too because it seriously tires out their opposition to defend them as they rotate 8-10 through big minutes at high speed. I said this in the game thread that while we did settle somewhat at times, I understand it given the level of effort required to defend them then constantly drive when our bench was not as useful.

I’m giving the Pacers an enormous amount of respect, they brought it hard on both ends.

Yup, Pacers played really tough, have to give them tons of credit.

Yes this is why I wanted a short series

[JaMarco]

We still need Hauser.

Just give him a chance.

But it will be a short leash with KP back.

We need him and his shooting definitely. We can blow out the mavs if he shoots 5/7 from 3, then PP shoots 4/6.
But if hauser continue to brick shots, its better to give others a chance. I say if he bricks 2 wide open 3’s, better yank him out fast.

They're not going to bench Hauser no matter what. He's going to get his regular amount of minutes as he always have this year. They're not going to panic and change anything now.

[Triple7]

Our guys really need to step it up on D. We really need KP gor his rim protection, or for just being tall out there in the middle bothering shots. Nembhard, TJ, siakam, and even Nesmith had it easy with the midranges. Nembhard at times attacked inside with no problem, same with siakam. We had no one to bother them inside. They were just missing shots in the end. Just imagine if that were Kyrie and Luka. Those guys won’t miss much if we don’ play D. That’s why having KP back is important. Else Luka would just kill us on mid ranges or lobs to their bigs. I think Queta would have been a better matchup with lively and gafford because of his size and athleticism, but i doubt Joe would even play him. Tillman is just too slow, and kornet is just too soft, and both are below average rebounders.

[Triple7]

We still need Hauser.

Just give him a chance.

But it will be a short leash with KP back.

We need him and his shooting definitely. We can blow out the mavs if he shoots 5/7 from 3, then PP shoots 4/6.
But if hauser continue to brick shots, its better to give others a chance. I say if he bricks 2 wide open 3’s, better yank him out fast.

They're not going to bench Hauser no matter what. He's going to get his regular amount of minutes as he always have this year. They're not going to panic and change anything now.

Lol. Not going to panic and not change anything? That’s just stupid. I’m all for giving him a chance this finals, maybe he gets it going, but like what i’ve said, if he continues to struggle, Joe better bench him. This is the finals. No room to wait for him to get it going. Its not like he has the ability to get to the basket when his shooting is off, like our best 6 players. Even PP can get to the hoop or take midranges.