Celtics (25-16) @ Magic (17-24) – 7:00PM, Sat, Jan. 12, 2019

[nickgammon]

I really think this team is going to continue taking steps in the right direction. I’m not freaking out about Miami. The Morris-Jaylen thing is overblown. Morris was right to be mad at Jaylen and let him hear it. Jaylen’s a prideful guy. All of this kind of **** getting hyped up by the media will make this team stronger in the long run. That’s why teams like Toronto that consistently face zero adversity during the regular season crumble and teams like Cleveland and Boston that either had locker room issues or injuries, still ended up in the ECF the last two years.

Does the team need to play better and more consistently? Absolutely. The team was slow out of the gate defensively in the first half and still testing to see if they were scorching from outside. They could’ve easily come back and won with their energy in the second half, but Miami was just feeling it from deep. I know it’s the NBA and the best is always expected, but it’s tough to play 8 quarters in a row of dominant basketball at the highest level within a 30-hour period with a 4-hour flight sandwiched in between.

These guys need to not worry about the standings and what the media says about them. They’re 15-6 over the last quarter of the season and when they play smart basketball, they’ve been absolutely dominant. You can play smart basketball and still find yourself down by 15 if your shots aren’t going down and the other team is just having a hot shooting night. It’s when you lose your composure and start trying to bail the team out by yourself when you find yourself down by 25. This team knew this last year, but I think they’re so focused with trying to showcase their talent that manageable deficits can turn ugly in a hurry.

I know people are losing their minds, but this team really is right there. They’ve gotten over the mental hurdle of settling into their roles, now they need to relearn how to keep a cool head under pressure. It’d be one thing if they’ve never shown it in the past, but these were the same guys coming back 20+ point deficits last season. They’re certainly capable.

Sometimes the shots won’t go in and the other team will be hitting contested looks from half-court. I don’t care if this team loses some games, because they’ll win far more than they lose if they just take good shots and make the right play. Got a feeling a big time run will come soon.

[canman1971]

People who freak out about Miami should just look at the daily scoreboard. Every team in the league loses games they should have won and teams win games they have no business on paper doing so, but this is the NBA.
Wizards just beat the all worldly Bucks (after the Bucks beat the Rockets in Houston). Hawks beat Sixers in Philly (and Philly beat the Wizards earlier in the week. Grizzlies beat the Spurs this past Wednesday and followed up with a insane game beating the Thunder in 2OT. And that is just the past 4 days.
See the pattern here? People need to relax and maybe get some fresh air.

[itrsteve]

People who freak out about Miami should just look at the daily scoreboard. Every team in the league loses games they should have won and teams win games they have no business on paper doing so, but this is the NBA.
Wizards just beat the all worldly Bucks (after the Bucks beat the Rockets in Houston). Hawks beat Sixers in Philly (and Philly beat the Wizards earlier in the week. Grizzlies beat the Spurs this past Wednesday and followed up with a insane game beating the Thunder in 2OT. And that is just the past 4 days.
See the pattern here? People need to relax and maybe get some fresh air.

In all fairness, Bucks were without Giannis and Philly was without Embiid in those referenced losses.

The good news is that it shows both team's reliance on a single individual, a problem that I personally believe that we don't have or at least to the degree of those two teams. Which is why I'll always hold faith that we're built for the long haul since talent distribution isn't as top-heavy.

Also, Miami isn't as bad as people want to believe they are (especially when they're shooting lights out)... I was only discouraged by CBS's lack of adjustments rather than losing to Miami.

[Green_teamer]

Ah, nothing like playing a **** magic team to get the teams spirits up again.

[GoCeltics123]

Ah, nothing like playing a **** magic team to get the teams spirits up again.

They're actually better at home than people think.

Beat the Raptors once (almost twice), beat the Sixers (post-Butler trade), and the Lakers. Can't take them lightly and no Baynes to guard Vucevic.

Celtics should still win though.

[denmuscles]

Until Jaylen Brown and hayward become consistent this team will struggle. Its just as simple as that. Both of them need to step up. Scoring wise. Defence wise. Also Brad Steven needs to grow a pair and bench guys if they not perform. Wether its defense, poor shot selection ect. I do not understand why put back Horford in who moved like Bill Russell in a wheel chair and subbed Time Lord who had superior energy and defence to Al Horford. Im sorry but Brad cannot manage a team with a stacked team. Id love to see Kerr or Pop coach this team.

We overrated Brad Stevens a bit. Maybe a lot actually.

[ducler]

Read on Twitter

[ConstableGeneva]

Read on Twitter

Okay. fine, but maybe he shouldn't be playing both ends of B2Bs anymore. He didn't look right in the Miami game.

[truth18]

Celtics basketball >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Cowboys/Saints

[Parliament10]

Let's Rock!!!

[reload141]

Just win. I’d like the 3rd seed by allstar break thanks.

[SuperDeluxe]

Chris Forsberg looks like a character from Archie.

[Turgon]

Let's get back on track
20+ pts win please.

[Parliament10]

That would be nice.
We definitely need to string together a bunch of wins.

[Shak_Celts]

BANNER 18! REACH BEYOND THE SKYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tatumfor2]

Let's be the hammer tonight!

[Shak_Celts]

gotta go up stronger youngin

[Darth Celtic]

I bet Vuc goes on a 10 - 0 run himself when Theis comes in.

[Shak_Celts]

mookkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

[Homerclease]

Morris is damn near automatic now