Both Teams Played Hard! Loss vs CLE 2/28

[Jellybeans]

I’m over it but my body isn’t because I couldn’t post during the game. I love Joe, but that was caca and i don’t want to hear anything different. It wasn’t even just the bbq in the fourth. He is afraid if anyone doesn’t go ham in the couple minutes he gives them, then that means it’s over for them forever. I don’t like it!

KP makes a big difference in this matchup against Allen & Mobley though, don’t forget KP! We didn’t have him

I wouldnt say big but HUGE difference.
Mobley avrg 8! points when KP played 2 times and in the last game Mobley was scared to attack the rim and was non factor on O

[Fierce1]

Cs losing this game isn't all bad.

If Cs won this game without KP and Jrue, there would be a false sense of security.

This loss keeps the Celtics grounded.
Reminds them a return to the finals will not be easy.

Keeps them grounded? The ass whooping by the Pistons didn't do that? And I don't want to hear that was on a back to back, when KP, Horford and Jrue didn't play the game before.

No team goes unbeaten on the 2nd night of a back to back in an 82-game season.

So Cs losing to the Pistons on the 2nd night of a b2b is considered a scheduled loss.

If you think about it, the Cs have not lost 3 straight games this season.

The Cavs already lost 3 straight games this season.

It's not as simplistic as you got beat the previous game so it's a guarantee you will win the next game even if you're missing 2 starters.

This loss is a reminder that the competition has closed the gap.

The Celtics are not the only elite team anymore, unlike last season.

[Fierce1]

It's not like the Cavs will not be affected if they're missing 2 starters.

The Celtics are missing 2 starters that are vital on defense.

Hauser was getting killed on defense and Al is old.

Celtics already beat the Cavs twice this season.

Yeah, it's frustrating the Cs lost this game, but this is more on the Cavs being better in this game than the Celtics being bad.

There's a reason why the Cavs are the #1 seed and the Cs are not.

[ThePigeon]

3 losses in a row after a long stretch
Oh, well. I have nothing good to say

[Tyakack]

They really started the game 25-3 just to lose by 7 lol. It is what it is.

[GrandTheftRondo]

The late game execution and avoiding Tatum was garbage.

But this game was lost multiple times when the bench came in.

The lack of depth with KP and Jrue out killed us.

[ThePigeon]

The late game execution and avoiding Tatum was garbage.

But this game was lost multiple times when the bench came in.

The lack of depth with KP and Jrue out killed us.

Lack of depth and athleticism on the bench and a stubborn coach

I guess that other team's best players are ecstatic when they see PP and Hauser on the floor
Same as JT and JB would have felt if they would be defended by the two

[GrandTheftRondo]

Good game to watch…all starters played high minutes…perfectly fine to take a loss rather than push it too hard, this game does not matter in the scheme of things.

This kind of thing happened last year too and many lost their heads about it, but Joe handled things very differently when the playoffs came and I expect him to do the same this year.

Exactly.

Why do people keep acting like Joe should show all his cards in a meaningless March game

[GrandTheftRondo]

The late game execution and avoiding Tatum was garbage.

But this game was lost multiple times when the bench came in.

The lack of depth with KP and Jrue out killed us.

Lack of depth and athleticism on the bench and a stubborn coach

I guess that other team's best players are ecstatic when they see PP and Hauser on the floor
Same as JT and JB would have felt if they would be defended by the two

I would rather the coach not go all out with decisions etc in a March game.

Save the proper stuff for May

[GrandTheftRondo]

Is it possible that the Celtics can gag the second seed? I know KP was out because he wasn’t feeling well but this guy you can’t depend on him. Anything can happen with him.

Is it possible you could STFU

[Fierce1]

Good game to watch…all starters played high minutes…perfectly fine to take a loss rather than push it too hard, this game does not matter in the scheme of things.

This kind of thing happened last year too and many lost their heads about it, but Joe handled things very differently when the playoffs came and I expect him to do the same this year.

Exactly.

Why do people keep acting like Joe should show all his cards in a meaningless March game

You could not have said it any better.

[Red2]

Could have used springer.

[ThePigeon]

The late game execution and avoiding Tatum was garbage.

But this game was lost multiple times when the bench came in.

The lack of depth with KP and Jrue out killed us.

Lack of depth and athleticism on the bench and a stubborn coach

I guess that other team's best players are ecstatic when they see PP and Hauser on the floor
Same as JT and JB would have felt if they would be defended by the two

I would rather the coach not go all out with decisions etc in a March game.

Save the proper stuff for May

Assuming Joe has any other cards up his sleeve (which I doubt)
In a meaningless game why play guys more than 40 min while the other team has only one above 30?

We are missing 2 starting players. It is time to experiment

[chrisab123]

The people who are dying to trade Jrue because of financial reasons hopefully were watching this game.

[GrandTheftRondo]

Lack of depth and athleticism on the bench and a stubborn coach

I guess that other team's best players are ecstatic when they see PP and Hauser on the floor
Same as JT and JB would have felt if they would be defended by the two

I would rather the coach not go all out with decisions etc in a March game.

Save the proper stuff for May

Assuming Joe has any other cards up his sleeve (which I doubt)
In a meaningless game why play guys more than 40 min while the other team has only one above 30?

We are missing 2 starting players. It is time to experiment

I mean he was trying to win by playing the stars as long as possible.

But our rotation will be wildly different in April.

[Fierce1]

The Cs will be trapping the Cavs guards in the playoffs.

That is if they meet in the playoffs.

I think it's time to admit that JT getting 40 minutes is about personal goals.

The Cavs on the other hand are playing more guys and not letting their main guys get 40 minutes is because their goal is team success.

It's true Cavs have no one playing over 31 minutes per game.

JT playing a lot is on JT, not Joe.

1st Team All-NBA for JT and 2nd Team for JB is what's going on here.

The Jays are calling the shots when it comes to playing time.

[Fierce1]

The people who are dying to trade Jrue because of financial reasons hopefully were watching this game.

You are correct about Jrue.

The problem is the issue will be financial and not basketball.

500m+ payroll is just too much.

[Red2]

I can justify losing down two starters but whats worrisome is that porzingis and holiday cant stay on the court and that their overall play hasnt been very good. Add to that the fact that both hauser and horford are also having bad seasons and there is real concern heading into the playoffs. When healthy we’re the best team but right now that’s far from a sure thing

[ThePigeon]

I would rather the coach not go all out with decisions etc in a March game.

Save the proper stuff for May

Assuming Joe has any other cards up his sleeve (which I doubt)
In a meaningless game why play guys more than 40 min while the other team has only one above 30?

We are missing 2 starting players. It is time to experiment

I mean he was trying to win by playing the stars as long as possible.

But our rotation will be wildly different in April.

How?
By playing the starters 48 minutes?

Hauser and PP are not defending at a playoff level. Al is old and Kornet was exposed
Who else do we have to perform better comes playoff?

You need to groom the players in the regular season. Playing them with the starters, not just a few minutes of garbage time here and there
The one criticism I have of Joe is this - he is not good at developing our bench. He plays the bench only when he has no choice (injuries etc), and then, only the players he is familiar with and trusts
Queta could played some of Kornet minutes. Walsh, who is a good defender, could have played instead of PP (-36!!!) for some minutes.

Joe isn't even trying.
And us fans - we want to win each and every game. If it is an experimental game - tell us in advance and I at least won't wake up in the middle of the night to watch this team choke without any adjustments

[Fierce1]

I can justify losing down two starters but whats worrisome is that porzingis and holiday cant stay on the court and that their overall play hasnt been very good. Add to that the fact that both hauser and horford are also having bad seasons and there is real concern heading into the playoffs. When healthy we’re the best team but right now that’s far from a sure thing

Let's not forget that KP is ill and not injured.

Jrue is 34 and turning 35 in June.
Injuries becoming more frequent is part of getting old as a pro bball player.

What's more concerning is the Cavs offense is better than the Celtic offense.

The Cavs just execute better and they don't force a lot of shots.

Celtics are more talented than the Cavs though.

It will be a fun series if they meet in May.