NBA Eastern Conf. Finals: Gm 1 – Celtics vs Heat – 6:30PM, Tues. 09/15/20

[Triple7]

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Now this is how you inspire and motivate!

[themoneyteam2]

With a healthy Hayward I’d pick the Celtics to win this series with zero hesitation.

I’m assuming he’ll miss at least games 1 and 2 and if they can split those games and get him back for game 3 that would be huge

[threrf23]

This series should see the return of Enes Kanter. Adebayo is a good player, but not a shooter and he can be ignored somewhat outside of the paint. The Heat also don't rebound well offensively, so Kanter should be able to clean the defensive glass. The Heat also rank towards the bottom of the league in terms of opponent FG% near the basket, so Kanter should be able to establish himself as a scorer down low.

[Triple7]

This series should see the return of Enes Kanter. Adebayo is a good player, but not a shooter and he can be ignored somewhat outside of the paint. The Heat also don't rebound well offensively, so Kanter should be able to clean the defensive glass. The Heat also rank towards the bottom of the league in terms of opponent FG% near the basket, so Kanter should be able to establish himself as a scorer down low.

I’m down with that in spurts, especially againt KO!

[Bill Lumbergh]

Saw this on Twitter about Hayward coming back in the ECF: "He’s going to give us a JD Drew grand slam moment."

I'd settle for a Bryce Drew moment:

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[London2Boston]

I like our chances.

Spoiler:

And we are literally a series away from potentially trash talking the Lakers and their fans.

Celtics/Lakers would be literal torture to have to go through. Although a win would be like no other.

[celticfan42487]

People are on a high right now since we just won game 7, but if we fall behind by even 4 points in game 1 there will be screaming here and Kemba will be dumped for IT.

That's called passion.

Speaking of IT he might be a nice addition off the bench. If Carsen Edwards won't get it done then we'll replace him with the guy we were hoping he could become.

This bench isn't going to be this depleted next playoffs one way or another young man. (mean Edwards here obviously, not you lovely female pronoun Kemba for Three).

[celticfan42487]

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In an effort to not falsely raise expectations Hayward hasn't gotten on the court and the medical staff hasn't had a chance to evaluate him to give an update on his projection.

Stevens doesn't yet know. I think this is kinda of wishful thinking on his part because he knows Hayward could very easily elevate this team ten fold in the playoffs just by the mere fact we can go from a 5 man rotation to a 6 man rotation team.

Hayward was involved in the shootaround, prior to the Raptor's Game 7.

And literally on the broadcast as they were showing that they explain the medical staff hasn't had a chance to evaluate him to give an estimate of when he may next be available as he just got out of quarantine

Come on man

[ConstableGeneva]

Somehow, I want to win this series more than I wanted to win the Raptors series. I've HATED Pat Riley since his days with the Lakers. And I will never forget the heartbreak of losing to Lebron and co. in 2012. Win this for Danny.

[LewisnotMiller]

C's in 6 is my guess, but I'm not underestimating these guys. They're tough, well-coached and the young shooters have really added a dimension to their offence.

[Tatumfor2]

Once again we will have the best player in the series.

[Asian Celtic]

Stevens RN.

[grindtime22]

This series should see the return of Enes Kanter. Adebayo is a good player, but not a shooter and he can be ignored somewhat outside of the paint. The Heat also don't rebound well offensively, so Kanter should be able to clean the defensive glass. The Heat also rank towards the bottom of the league in terms of opponent FG% near the basket, so Kanter should be able to establish himself as a scorer down low.

With those shooters, ignoring Bam doesn't really work. You can't hang back. You almost have to get up. He starts setting off ball screens and you have their shooters flaring into open 3s. He goes to dribble handoffs for Robinson 3s. Dragic will probably put him in the blender in the pick and roll. If we put Kanter on the floor, they are going to go at him over, and over, and over.

You definitely don't want him playing against KO either...... so I'm not sure about Kanter in this series. You may get limited minutes, but I would be surprised if Brad is looking for him to have a big role in this series.

[zoyathedestroya]

I am hyped!! Is it Tuesday yet??? (Kidding, our guys need to rest!)

[threrf23]

With those shooters, ignoring Bam doesn't really work. You can't hang back. You almost have to get up. He starts setting off ball screens and you have their shooters flaring into open 3s. He goes to dribble handoffs for Robinson 3s. Dragic will probably put him in the blender in the pick and roll. If we put Kanter on the floor, they are going to go at him over, and over, and over.

Maybe. Though I'm not sure how well their guys shoot off the dribble. Robinson and Crowder are spot up shooters, no? And you possibly have the same exact issues with Theis/Timelord in the game, they are more mobile than Kanter but not better defenders away from the basket. That is something we saw tonight, mostly in the first half.

Plus defending Adebayo is important - and if our centers switch off of him, they'll just feed Adebayo rolling to the basket. I think we should try and get some production from Kanter in this series.

[Parliament10]

With a healthy Hayward I’d pick the Celtics to win this series with zero hesitation.

I’m assuming he’ll miss at least games 1 and 2 and if they can split those games and get him back for game 3 that would be huge

That would get him back on Saturday, a week from today. I can live with that.
We really need him back on the team, down the stretch.

[Theocy]

Can we all collectively avoid hot takes for this one.

There's a tendency to underestimate the Heat and having watched them play they play really well. This won't be easy and I think the Heat play better collectively than the Raps.

[ConstableGeneva]

Grant Williams True Shooting % in the regular season: 50.5%
Grant Williams True Shooting % in the postseason: 83.3% (leads the team)

That's low volume of course, but still nice to see the jump. His Williams twin is next among rotation players at 73.5%. Grant is 8/12 from 3 in the playoffs. Rob is 19/24 from two-point area in the playoffs.

[The_Ghost_of_JB]

C's don't have the depth to beat Miami who could be the best team in the east. Miami in 4 or 5. (May as well keep my prediction train rolling because I cannot change it up now and mess up the entire system )

[MasterIchiro]

UConn fan trapped in Tarheel land sending congrats to Kemba for advancing to the ECF. Win the whole thing, fellas.