Exactly. They need to get those big bodies in motion. They weren't doing that enough.Maybe drive, kick, drive again, kick again, get the bigs scrambling.
Exactly. They need to get those big bodies in motion. They weren't doing that enough.Maybe drive, kick, drive again, kick again, get the bigs scrambling.
Yep, he did play well in the 4th of that game, went 4/7 for 9 points. Certainly wasn't supernova, like we've seen him get at various other times though.One thing is Tatum and Brown (and others like Horford and Theis if he plays) can look for some midrange shots.
He was Mr 4th quarter in Brooklyn series game 1, a day game, though.
My point was they missed ALL their midrange shots. Obviously the Bucks made it difficult at the rim.I don't recall many good looks at the rim that didn't go in, the Bucks size just made it tough. Even RW got stuffed at the rim. They did miss some mid range shots, particularly Brown, that often go down. Bottom line is that Milwaukee's defense made life miserable for them inside, and they didn't shoot well enough on the open 3 looks they got.
I don't know what the answer is to better looks inside, they've got to find a way to get Milwaukee more spread out. Watching Memphis/GS now, and it's amazing how much more space there is inside than either team saw in the previous game. Maybe drive, kick, drive again, kick again, get the bigs scrambling.
That is the path to victory that the Bucks want the C’s to pursue. It plays into their strengths. Udoka has to counter with adjustments that put the C’s into a better position to score effectively.I don't think they can just "find a way" to get easy paint buckets against this Bucks team. They are designed to stop that. They have the best personnel in the league to defend the paint.
What they have been vulnerable to all year is allowing open three pointers. That is how you beat them.
Sometimes a team is going to take you out of what you do best. Championship teams can adjust and punish a team for overcommiting the way the Bucks are. They have to take and make open 3s. That is the path to victory in this series.
The series is not a three point contest, but Milwaukee wins when the C’s approach it as one. Maybe shooting .7% higher on 15 more 3 PTA is actually a losing proposition?They shot a higher percentage while taking those 16 more 3s, every 3 they took was worth more than every 3 Milwaukee took, pretty sure that isn't what Milwaukee wants to happen. And yet they lost by double digits because they couldn't score at all inside.
Any idea what those adjustments might be? I honestly can't think of much that's going to pull Giannis or Lopez out of the paint other than guys hitting their outside shots.That is the path to victory that the Bucks want the C’s to pursue. It plays into their strengths. Udoka has to counter with adjustments that put the C’s into a better position to score effectively.
How are you not getting that the celtics lost this game because they shot 10/34 for 2, almost all of those shots in the paint? If you shoot 16 more 3s than a team and you also make a higher percentage you're going to win any single game a vast majority of the time, especially when it doesn't come with giving up more points at the line.The series is not a three point contest, but Milwaukee wins when the C’s approach it as one. Maybe shooting .7% higher on 15 more 3 PTA is actually a losing proposition?
That’s an incredible stat.
The Celtics will need to go 5 wide The Bucks have 3 shot blockers (GA/BL/BP) & a tenacious/strong PG in the lane.How are you not getting that the celtics lost this game because they shot 10/34 for 2, almost all of those shots in the paint? If you shoot 16 more 3s than a team and you also make a higher percentage you're going to win any single game a vast majority of the time, especially when it doesn't come with giving up more points at the line.
The point is the Bucks are making scoring 2s incredibly hard, anbd are playing two shot blockers all the time. Most of the shots in the paint were tough attempts.How are you not getting that the celtics lost this game because they shot 10/34 for 2, almost all of those shots in the paint? If you shoot 16 more 3s than a team and you also make a higher percentage you're going to win any single game a vast majority of the time, especially when it doesn't come with giving up more points at the line.
Clippers were the only higher seed. 2017 Celtics last team before that to lose 2 at home then win the series.happened 4 times last year though. I dunno about the home thing, I don't have time to look through them.
https://www.landofbasketball.com/statistics/playoff_series_2_0_recovered.htm
The way to beat Milwaukee all year has been to hit your 3s. First because you can build a math problem on them, even if you don't hit at a really high rate, the differential builds up, and 2, if you do start hitting at a high rate, they have to adjust and it weakens their strong interior defense.That is the path to victory that the Bucks want the C’s to pursue. It plays into their strengths. Udoka has to counter with adjustments that put the C’s into a better position to score effectively.
The series is not a three point contest, but Milwaukee wins when the C’s approach it as one. Maybe shooting .7% higher on 15 more 3 PTA is actually a losing proposition?
I'm aware that's the point, that's why I've been arguing that they lost the game because of that, and not because they took 50 3s and should have actually taken more than 50. They aren't going to beat the bucks by driving at Giannis Lopez and Portis.The point is the Bucks are making scoring 2s incredibly hard, anbd are playing two shot blockers all the time. Most of the shots in the paint were tough attempts.
This goes high on the list of things that were infuriating about yesterday's game.I thought MiL's pressure of the guys bringing the ball upreally bothered the Cs and, as Ime said, sped them up.
I distinctly had the feeling watching the opening minutes that the Celtics were shook by the Bucks conceding the 3. You could almost feel them thinking, "If they're giving us this, maybe we shouldn't be playing into their hands by taking it"— and this seed of doubt contributed to a number of early misses from beyond the arc (remember, they were terrible early on from 3)*, which then cascaded into general hesitancy and over-thinking-it on the offensive end.The way to beat Milwaukee all year has been to hit your 3s. First because you can build a math problem on them, even if you don't hit at a really high rate, the differential builds up, and 2, if you do start hitting at a high rate, they have to adjust and it weakens their strong interior defense.
The real thing that was missing was hitting corner 3s, teams killed MIL by hitting corner 3s this year, the Celtics have one of the best corner 3 shooters in the league... he took 4 shots, none of them from the corner, two were from the side, he went 1-2.
I don't think the answer is to just do what Milwaukee wants. I think if the Celtics were shook by anything it was the Bucks clogging up the paint (sort of the same thing as conceding the three but from a different perspective).I distinctly had the feeling watching the opening minutes that the Celtics were shook by the Bucks conceding the 3. You could almost feel them thinking, "If they're giving us this, maybe we shouldn't be playing into their hands by taking it"— and this seed of doubt contributed to a number of early misses from beyond the arc (remember, they were terrible early on from 3)*, which then cascaded into general hesitancy and over-thinking-it on the offensive end.
I think Udoka has to stake out a clear strategy for this young team in Game 2. Either "take the damn open 3... keep taking it... we will hit enough to win the series" or go the other direction and turn down the Bucks invitation to shoot 3's and try to unlock the mid-range 2-pointer part of the court. I have no idea which is the right tactic— it almost feels like it doesn't matter so much as long as they get one clear directive or the other and stop living in their own heads so much.
* Edit: looking at the game log, I see that they were actually no worse in the first half from 3 than in the second half— so this was a trick of memory. But I stand by the overall point that they seemed psyched out by the open looks from 3, not sure whether they should take the bait or not.
The Celtics shot 18 of 50 from three, for 36%. But looking at the chart, that breaks down to 7 of 10 on corner threes and 11 of 40 on above the break threes.
Unless, of course, PP hits those threes and it's a whole new game.Almost their whole offense for over 3 minutes was Pritchard creating long above the break threes for himself. That can't happen.
Milwaukee was comfortable with Prptchard’s 1-man game.Unless, of course, PP hits those threes and it's a whole new game.
He doesn't say that he had no idea they would bring pressure. He said that they need to make adjustments. You seem irrationally angry about this loss. It sucks that they lost the game, but this wasn't going to be a sweep anyway.Really, Ime? You had no idea that Milwaukee might bring full court pressure? There are, according to you, adjustments that could be made, but you didn't make them?
Full court pressure isn't some mysterious new strategy that Milwaukee cooked up in the interval between rounds. It's been a part of basketball for decades.
They were not prepared for this game, simple as that. Milwaukee played the way Milwaukee plays, and there was no indication whatsoever that the Celtics were ready for it. None.He doesn't say that he had no idea they would bring pressure. He said that they need to make adjustments. You seem irrationally angry about this loss. It sucks that they lost the game, but this wasn't going to be a sweep anyway.
Me too, I'd bet on open 3s from Pritchard (PP entered very early so that appears to be a bet IME is making)Unless, of course, PP hits those threes and it's a whole new game.
PP was wide open. He's got to take those shots. If he's not going to take wide-open 3s, the Cs are playing 4 on 5 and there's no reason for PP to be in. Frankly, he hit tougher shots against BRK. They didn't go in. I'll bet on him making those.
Ramadan ended last evening so he should at least have that behind him.Was yesterday the last day that Jaylen Brown would like have been fasting, or the first day he was no longer fasting? Anyone know?
For sure, the coach definitely wanted to lose a game in a 7 game series. The best way to advance in the playoffs is with statement losses.I almost wonder if the Celtics had a shit week of disinterested practice and Ime decided that the only way to fix this was to let them do it their way and get their heads handed to them.
Ramadan ended at dusk, yesterday. Game was midday so Brown was presumably still fasting. The bigger issue than food was likely not drinking water.Was yesterday the last day that Jaylen Brown would like have been fasting, or the first day he was no longer fasting? Anyone know?
I was being hyperbolic. The fact remains, they were not ready for and could not adjust to a full court press, though Ime said they could do it for game 2. We’ll see. But maybe they should have been ready for a basic NBA tactic to be deployed against them?For sure, the coach definitely wanted to lose a game in a 7 game series. The best way to advance in the playoffs is with statement losses.
Wait, saying one single playoff loss is an embarrassment to the entire history of the franchise was hyperbolic?I was being hyperbolic. The fact remains, they were not ready for and could not adjust to a full court press, though Ime said they could do it for game 2. We’ll see. But maybe they should have been ready for a basic NBA tactic to be deployed against them?
Yeah. My glass-half-full take is that the Celts have had a very soft last month, with quasi-meaningless late-season games... stars resting on both sides... followed by an unimposing series against the Nets. So, maybe they needed to get "smacked in the mouth" as Horford put it to adjust to true playoff intensity. I think it's fair to blame Udoka for not having them ready... but it's also a young team. These things happen.Another thing - this looked a bit like game 5 of the Nets series, except that the Celtics were in the role of the Nets.
Close for most of the game (as the 4 Brooklyn games were), they outmuscled us (as we did Brooklyn), they took our best players out of the game (as we took Durant and Irving).
How many athletes fully adhere to the Ramadan restrictions? Everyone made a big deal out of it with a couple UFC fighters recently finding it incredible how they could perform……only to find out later than they “make up” the days at the end as to not affect their competition. I’d imagine very few, if any, eliminate water during the day. Food isn’t nearly as much of an issue with the popularity of fasting.Ramadan ended at dusk, yesterday. Game was midday so Brown was presumably still fasting. The bigger issue than food was likely not drinking water.
Double-digit Game 1 Statement Losses are the new market inefficiency!.... that being said, @Eddie Jurak does a lot of solid work around here, he readily admits he was "hyperbolic" after the loss.Wait, saying one single playoff loss is an embarrassment to the entire history of the franchise was hyperbolic?
It seemed like a reasoned take to me.
Food fasting from sunrise to sunset can be healthy. People (the media) don't understand the benefits because there is so much misinformation on food/nutrition that's been drilled into our heads since birthHow many athletes fully adhere to the Ramadan restrictions? Everyone made a big deal out of it with a couple UFC fighters recently finding it incredible how they could perform……only to find out later than they “make up” the days at the end as to not affect their competition. I’d imagine very few, if any, eliminate water during the day. Food isn’t nearly as much of an issue with the popularity of fasting.
There's a good conversation to be had here about just how important proper hydration is, but I don't want to sidetrack things too much. I'll just say that at some point in my 30s I really started noticing the difference proper hydration makes, and in my 40s it makes a big enough difference that I consciously drink water throughout the day and feel much worse if I don't.OTOH I'm not a fan of water fasting
These are good points. As an example, they only went to the Rob Lob once. I definitely felt like there were a few times when Rob was looking to sneak in for an oop while Lopez or Giannis were looking another direction and whoever had the ball missed him. I think they got a little rattled and tense in general for sure and were a little too scared of making mistakes. This kind of attitude and mental stuff can be fixed but I can see it being hard to address in-game when emotions are high.On offense they played like the first half of the season. Ran to their spots around the 3 arc, barely moved around, settled for early open threes or rushed shots late in the clock. More off ball movement especially along the baseline and some successful backdoor cuts might help with that wall in the key. The Bucks are camping towards the foul line not the restricted area.
Thanks for the link; interesting. I'll just note one more time that I completely disagree with his take on PP's 3P (see below for video). JT sets a pick; Carter goes under the screen. If PP doesn't take that shot, JT is never going to get any space as he's basically sandwiched between Holiday and Carter.This is an excellent breakdown of where the Celtics' offense had issues, many correctable:
Common themes...
Brown over-penetrating
Brown not having a plan and not looking up
Guards not playing their role and taking quick 3s
Guys challenging shot blockers or double teams instead of kicking to the open man
Unfortunately, the wheels came off a lot earlier. Smart didn't get banged up (the first time— arm) until a minute before the half, at which point Bucks were already ahead 54-46. The reality is that the C's didn't have an answer for Bucks' pressure with or without Smart.As soon as Smart got banged up, the wheels came off the offense. When a team presses in the backcourt like that, you have to make them pay. To start the game, Marcus drove off the defensive pressure a number of times, but once he started losing the use of various appendages, Boston reverted to early season bad offense, taking lots of time to get into sets, not sharing and swinging the ball, not taking strong drives to the hoop, and missing wide open shots.
Thank you!!! It’s odd the amount of people acting like PP was just chucking up bad shots or was put in bad positions by other players.Just because I'm procrastinating, here are screen shots from 7 of the 8 3Ps that PP's took. (Note for some reason NBA.com doesn't have the PP's 2nd 3P, which he hit.) Because of board restrictions, I am posting them in multiple replies.
Other than the one taken with the shot clock winding down, do people really think PP should not have taken any of these? They will go down.
I fully expect a LOT more “Rob Lobs”. Lopez can’t jump with Rob and he’s often the one camped right in front of the bucket. The Bucks will have to counter by moving Giannis to the dunkers spot which should open up more driving space and force Milwaukee into more rotations.These are good points. As an example, they only went to the Rob Lob once. I definitely felt like there were a few times when Rob was looking to sneak in for an oop while Lopez or Giannis were looking another direction and whoever had the ball missed him. I think they got a little rattled and tense in general for sure and were a little too scared of making mistakes. This kind of attitude and mental stuff can be fixed but I can see it being hard to address in-game when emotions are high.