NBA Playoffs 2020: Round 1, Game 1 – Celtics vs Sixers – 6:30PM, Mon, 8/17/20

Post #41 » by **Darthlukey** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 6:53 am

Bleeding Green wrote:Celtics need to be heavy favorites here. Huge letdown if they lose this series with Simmons out and Embiid potentially banged up.

$1.32 for boston to win on Aus betting app

Kalela · Post #42 » by **Kalela** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 7:05 am

Josh Richardson and Tobias Harris will probably be the Sixers best players in this series. Those two have had some success against the Celtics over the years. Horford also raises his game during the playoffs. It is not given the Celtics will dominate this series.

Triple7 · Post #43 » by **Triple7** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 7:30 am

fallguy wrote:
MagicBagley18 wrote:I think the individual games will be harder than ppl think but celts in 6....let embiid score 40 a game shut down the others.

I think so too. Embiid can exhaust himself on offense (and we'll stick him in a bunch of PNR on the other side of the court). Keep their 'shooters' contained and we could wear them down really quickly.

I agree that it would be pretty hard to stop Embiid if he’s lock into it, but i doubt that guy’s motor survive to play 40mins a game. Without Ben, he needs to do more, but lately he’s been soft as hell. For a big guy, he does get injured a lot even minor ones like a slap on the wrist wtf :lol:

I’m not a bit concerned, unless both Jays doesn’t show up. It’s not like they have deadset shooters like the Heat. We need to take care of business early and not let them hang in there till the end, where they can steal a game. I say 5 max. 2 close and two blowouts.

Triple7 · Post #44 » by **Triple7** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 7:36 am

Kalela wrote:Josh Richardson and Tobias Harris will probably be the Sixers best players in this series. Those two have had some success against the Celtics over the years. Horford also raises his game during the playoffs. It is not given the Celtics will dominate this series.

If Harris and Richardson would be their best players in the series, then im confident we could finish them off easier than expected. Embiid is what i’m worried about.

ConstableGeneva · Post #45 » by **ConstableGeneva** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 7:54 am

Super small sample, but may be relevant since this came after Simmons got injured -- Sixers had 9 guys who shot between 37.5 and 54.5% from three in their last 4 games. Philly led all playoff teams in 3-pt % during that span (40.9%). Somehow, they only managed to win one of those games.

Hope our guys' rotations are on point (see our defense vs. TOR). And needless to say, we have to win the minutes (however many) Embiid is on the bench.

tfribs45 · Post #46 » by **tfribs45** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 12:24 pm

never underestimate your opponent! The two towers, Big AL and Embiid will be a problem and expose our weakness at the 5... That being said, I see the Celts winning in 6. Everyone has to be locked in on D, lets go!

Fantaxp7 · Post #47 » by **Fantaxp7** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 1:01 pm

I feel like our last couple of games vs Philly we found a way to play them effectively without Embiid destroying us...like he still put up some numbers but it didn't effect the outcome or feel of the game...if that makes sense.

In any case I was scared that whatever we were doing wouldn't translate in the playoffs, but the Sixers went on to look lost out there and now of course without Simmons...it feels like we got this one in the bag. And I hope our guys don't feel too confident...

AND *knocks on wood* it feels AMAZING having our crap together rolling into the playoffs...It's been awhile since we've had this type of team composure and health when it matters the most...The feeling after being bounced out of the playoffs with knowing someone wasn't healthy or mentally checked out because of team chemistry issues....So happy to be where we are right now.

GoCeltics123 · Post #48 » by **GoCeltics123** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 1:57 pm

Watch on YouTube

Just a reminder of what I made two years ago

Curmudgeon · Post #49 » by **Curmudgeon** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 2:05 pm

Someone once asked Bill Russell how he could guard Shaq. Bill replied, "how would Shaq be able to guard me? I'd run him up and down all game."

That's what the Celtics have to do with Embiid. He doesn't like fast paced games and he's not in great shape. Play fast, and you will neutralize him.

chrisab123 · Post #50 » by **chrisab123** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 2:59 pm

Celtics probably win in 6. Just force them on the perimiter and make sure Al isn't open. Embiid will get his and Harris probably will score a couple.

Post #51 » by **Feed Your Head** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 3:20 pm

Read on Twitter

24istheLAW · Post #52 » by **24istheLAW** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 3:54 pm

Curmudgeon wrote:Someone once asked Bill Russell how he could guard Shaq. Bill replied, "how would Shaq be able o guard me? I'd run him up and down all game."

That's what the Celtics have to do with Embiid. He doesn't like fast paced games and he's not in great shape. Play fast, and you will neutralize him.

When Kanter's in the game, bang him as much as possible. When Rob's in the game, make him sprint.

Curmudgeon · Post #53 » by **Curmudgeon** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 3:56 pm

Kanter can run the floor too. He doesn't have to play 25 minutes.

UNCBlue012 · Post #54 » by **UNCBlue012** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 6:10 pm

I love how the team is playing, I hope we can keep it up and kick the Sixers' teeth in early and often. Go C's!

Post #55 » by **Froob** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 7:54 pm

Hope they don’t get too cocky, Philly is very talented even without Simmons. I have Celtics in 5.

Homerclease · Post #56 » by **Homerclease** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 9:06 pm

I start Robert Williams in this one and give him a crack at Embiid one on one. Theis cannot guard Embiid at all and Kanter can’t play defense at all either. Start Timelord and see if he can neutralize Embiid while staying out of foul trouble. He had success against AD in the past, I think he’s the best option on the roster right now

MagicBagley18 · Post #57 » by **MagicBagley18** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 9:30 pm

Homerclease wrote:I start Robert Williams in this one and give him a crack at Embiid one on one. Theis cannot guard Embiid at all and Kanter can’t play defense at all either. Start Timelord and see if he can neutralize Embiid while staying out of foul trouble. He had success against AD in the past, I think he’s the best option on the roster right now

I don’t give the sixers that much power to let them think they dictate how we play our game.....we always ride with theis to start and having an undersized lineup built in versatility and switch ability is who we are. Don’t change our identity- don’t give them that satisfaction.

I agree theis does get bodied by embiid, but this who we are. He spreads the floor and fits brads system. Keep theis on a short leash and have kanter and rob ready to come in and bang but don’t change things up for them- we dance with who brought us here IMO

Homerclease · Post #58 » by **Homerclease** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 9:38 pm

MagicBagley18 wrote:
Homerclease wrote:I start Robert Williams in this one and give him a crack at Embiid one on one. Theis cannot guard Embiid at all and Kanter can’t play defense at all either. Start Timelord and see if he can neutralize Embiid while staying out of foul trouble. He had success against AD in the past, I think he’s the best option on the roster right now

I don’t give the sixers that much power to let them think they dictate how we play our game.....we always ride with theis to start and having an undersized lineup built in versatility and switch ability is who we are. Don’t change our identity- don’t give them that satisfaction.

I agree theis does get bodied by embiid, but this who we are. He spreads the floor and fits brads system. Keep theis on a short leash and have kanter and rob ready to come in and bang but don’t change things up for them- we dance with who brought us here IMO

They started Kanter against these guys earlier in the year IIRC. 7 game series is all about adjusting to your opponent so I have no problem with Brad throwing the first curveball. They will be game planning for either Theis or Kanter in the starting 5. If Williams can start and give Embiid some trouble then the sixers have nothing. The rest of our men can lock down what they bring to the table. Then you make Philly adjust to what the Celtics are doing.

It’s between Williams and Kanter for me. Theis has been flat out bad in the bubble and he’s been abused time and time again by Embiid already. He should only play in this series when Embiid goes to the bench which should be fairly often since he’s got a dinged up ankle and he’s always out of shape. I just don’t trust Kanter on defense at all. Philly can’t run PnR but Kanter just offers zero in the form of paint protection at all. He has size to at least bang with Embiid down low but Richardson and Tobias have an easy path to the hoop with Kanter in there.

Curmudgeon · Post #59 » by **Curmudgeon** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 9:39 pm

Is there some sort of NBA rule that says you can't play Theis and Williams (or Kanter and Theis or Kanter and Williams) together to counter Philly's size?

MagicBagley18 · Post #60 » by **MagicBagley18** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 9:46 pm

Homerclease wrote:
MagicBagley18 wrote:
Homerclease wrote:I start Robert Williams in this one and give him a crack at Embiid one on one. Theis cannot guard Embiid at all and Kanter can’t play defense at all either. Start Timelord and see if he can neutralize Embiid while staying out of foul trouble. He had success against AD in the past, I think he’s the best option on the roster right now

I don’t give the sixers that much power to let them think they dictate how we play our game.....we always ride with theis to start and having an undersized lineup built in versatility and switch ability is who we are. Don’t change our identity- don’t give them that satisfaction.

I agree theis does get bodied by embiid, but this who we are. He spreads the floor and fits brads system. Keep theis on a short leash and have kanter and rob ready to come in and bang but don’t change things up for them- we dance with who brought us here IMO

They started Kanter against these guys earlier in the year IIRC. 7 game series is all about adjusting to your opponent so I have no problem with Brad throwing the first curveball. They will be game planning for either Theis or Kanter in the starting 5. If Williams can start and give Embiid some trouble then the sixers have nothing. The rest of our men can lock down what they bring to the table. Then you make Philly adjust to what the Celtics are doing.

It’s between Williams and Kanter for me. Theis has been flat out bad in the bubble and he’s been abused time and time again by Embiid already. He should only play in this series when Embiid goes to the bench which should be fairly often since he’s got a dinged up ankle and he’s always out of shape. I just don’t trust Kanter on defense at all. Philly can’t run PnR but Kanter just offers zero in the form of paint protection at all. He has size to at least bang with Embiid down low but Richardson and Tobias have an easy path to the hoop with Kanter in there.

Adjust In game not before the series starts