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Post by philarhody on Nov 20, 2024 6:51:20 GMT -5
This is likely true. They do play two bigs (and two undersized guards) in heavy rotation together. However, they killed Boston in the paint tonight. If you’re Cleveland, eating in the paint feels more sustainable than Boston shooting 54% from three. Adding Porzingis against them should be a death sentence for Cleveland, they won’t be able to hang with us Yes. Porzingis gives Boston a major edge. |
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Post by philarhody on Nov 20, 2024 6:58:50 GMT -5
Sheesh. This is the first game of the year where I am a bit concerned. I think the Cavs were the better team tonight. Even with Cleveland playing two bigs and two mediocre defenders in the backcourt, narrowly winning when you shoot 54% from 3 AND win the rebound margin is not good. They led by 21 points and pretty much every made 3 was a great look. At this point this has to be bait. Yes to both of your first points. Unfortunately, Cleveland would be wise to continue course, block out the sun in the paint, and trust that the Celtics were more likely to shoot 49% from 3 and lose that game. A big part of this could be Boston tooling around on defense and not communicating switches like they’ll need to in the playoffs. But last night, they were much luckier than Cleveland. |
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Post by rjp313jr on Nov 20, 2024 7:40:13 GMT -5
Cleveland is a great team. They weren’t 15-0 by accident. In the NBA teams go on runs. The difference between good and great is stopping those runs and still winning and closing out games. This team (obviously) has crossed that Rubicon. They just beat a great team who came back and had a ton of momentum. They thwarted that over and over in the fourth. I don’t know how you look at last night as concerning.
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Post by rjp313jr on Nov 20, 2024 7:40:19 GMT -5
Queta was brutal during that 3rd quarter comeback by the Cavs. Joe let him play because it was a pressure situation and it’s November and he’s building a team. Yes, he’s trying to win games but part of winning games is empowering your players at this point to work thru situations.
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Post by soxfansince67 on Nov 20, 2024 7:52:04 GMT -5
Got to tip the hat also to superb games by White and Horford last night. Celtics championship team DNA was on display.
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Post by jmei on Nov 20, 2024 11:37:55 GMT -5
Horford really remains a very under appreciated player. He can no longer really score inside, but he’s still really good defensively (especially on switches), spaces the floor well and plays with high IQ and quick decision making on passes and screens. He gets lots of rest games but has otherwise stayed healthy. Great culture guy too who exemplifies toughness and character.
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Nov 20, 2024 14:15:15 GMT -5
Queta was brutal during that 3rd quarter comeback by the Cavs. Joe let him play because it was a pressure situation and it’s November and he’s building a team. Yes, he’s trying to win games but part of winning games is empowering your players at this point to work thru situations. It's what needs to be done as he was the only one playing that isn't battle tested at this point. Get him ready for the playoffs. |
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Post by rjp313jr on Nov 20, 2024 14:57:18 GMT -5
Tatums stat line so far this year is almost everything I could have hoped for. His rebounding was down in October (for him), but it’s back to normal in November. If he keeps this up, he’ll average over 8 rebounds and 6 assists per game. Not to mention he’s averaging almost 30 ppg on over 39% from 3. He’s getting to the line more, better play making and not turning it over more while still getting 1.5 steals per game. Elite PER and best true shooting of his career.
I also haven’t noticed him crying to officials nearly as much.
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Post by philarhody on Nov 20, 2024 20:34:41 GMT -5
Last night was the Celtics’ best shooting night in 56 games.
They won the game by 3 points.
Last season’s team would have won that game by 30.
With that said, here are two possible reasons why it might not matter:
Possible Reason # 1: The Celtics are floating on defense but will turn up the intensity when it really matters.
Possible Reason # 2: One of the 5 best Centers in the world hasn’t yet suited up for Boston.
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