Celtics vs Hawks, Round 1 Discussion

[Deathofthebambino]

I'm one who didn't realize that. Thanks for the info!

Yup, if you go to the play by play of the game, you can see last night here:

https://www.espn.com/nba/playbyplay/_/gameId/401541172

In the 1st quarter with 9:51 left, it says

9:51

Al Horford blocks John Collins 's 7-foot two point shot

Then at 9:50, you have "

9:50

Clint Capela offensive rebound

In the third quarter alone, there were three of them. White blocked Hunter's 3 pointer, rebounded by Collins, TL blocked Collins, Collins got his own board, and TL blocked Murray and Okongwu got the board.


And when they don't get the block, but are selling out for it, it opens up the back side for an offensive rebound. The C's had multiple guys jumping to make blocks at various points throughout the game, give me that intensity and focus and ability to fast break off of it, and I'm happy to give up a few offensive boards as the price you pay.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

This screen grab is one of many, but it really sums up the problem the Hawks (and most teams) have when defending the Celtics. The Celtics have gotten to the rim at will, but when Tatum puts the ball down, they consistently collapse on him, sometimes he’s able to beat it and get to the rim anyways, but then this is what the floor looks like for everyone else.

When the players are spaced out and making quick decisions, this offense is close to unstoppable.

That's a great shot. Back to last year's playoffs I've been focused on how the Celtics need to play "inside out" and attack the rim first, then move ball back outside, not settle for perimeter-only passing. That imagine is a great illustration of why---and I bet if you had a similar shot of a Marcus or Jaylen drive the defense would be a bit less collapsed, but still leaving a lot of room and usually one wide-open shooter. When the Celts attack the rim they only lose if they shoot really awfully from three---which can happen but is not super likely to happen often. Their biggest challenge is when they stop attacking.

I do think just the right defense can be a factor in keeping them outside---GS did a good job (especially once GP2 was back) of reducing the penetration and forcing turnovers and more perimeter play. But so long as Celts are pushing to get inside early-mid shot clock I will take my chances on them every single game.

 

[DourDoerr]

That's a great shot. Back to last year's playoffs I've been focused on how the Celtics need to play "inside out" and attack the rim first, then move ball back outside, not settle for perimeter-only passing. That imagine is a great illustration of why---and I bet if you had a similar shot of a Marcus or Jaylen drive the defense would be a bit less collapsed, but still leaving a lot of room and usually one wide-open shooter. When the Celts attack the rim they only lose if they shoot really awfully from three---which can happen but is not super likely to happen often. Their biggest challenge is when they stop attacking.

I do think just the right defense can be a factor in keeping them outside---GS did a good job (especially once GP2 was back) of reducing the penetration and forcing turnovers and more perimeter play. But so long as Celts are pushing to get inside early-mid shot clock I will take my chances on them every single game.

Agreed. Beyond the open 3's for Al and Brown, if Tatum looks to Al, it appears he has an easy alley-oop to TL. A cornucopia of choices. Avoiding the teeth of the defense is the simple key (and hitting those 3's).

 

[Jimbodandy]

If I were JMazz and we get PHI in the next series, I'm starting GW and bringing TL off the bench. I would think that would be the best use of TL's minutes and fouls.

I'm with you on this and two weeks ago or so was complimenting Joe's rotation choices and TL as 20minute guy off the bench. Got a little pushback that we should be using TL more like 30 than 20, but the results so far speak for themselves. A two man center rotation with Al closer to 30 and TL closer to 20 gives us 48-minute rim protection, a bouncy TL, and two different looks when they don't overlap (Al as stretch 5, TL as rim-runner). Different tools in the toolbox. IMO, it's a case of some of TLs minutes going to one of the awesome guard contingent that Brad has assembled.

I suspect that Grant takes Hauser's minutes and maybe a few of the guard minutes, but I'd be very surprised if Grant plays 30 on the regular even against Embiid or Giannis. We need his beef, but damn he's been bad lately.

 

[Red Averages]

I'm with you on this and two weeks ago or so was complimenting Joe's rotation choices and TL as 20minute guy off the bench. Got a little pushback that we should be using TL more like 30 than 20, but the results so far speak for themselves. A two man center rotation with Al closer to 30 and TL closer to 20 gives us 48-minute rim protection, a bouncy TL, and two different looks when they don't overlap (Al as stretch 5, TL as rim-runner). Different tools in the toolbox. IMO, it's a case of some of TLs minutes going to one of the awesome guard contingent that Brad has assembled.

I suspect that Grant takes Hauser's minutes and maybe a few of the guard minutes, but I'd be very surprised if Grant plays 30 on the regular even against Embiid or Giannis. We need his beef, but damn he's been bad lately.

He's almost being used as an Ace reliever out of the bullpen rather than a #3 starting pitcher.

 

[Jimbodandy]

He's almost being used as an Ace reliever out of the bullpen rather than a #3 starting pitcher.

Good analogy. Playoff Joe in effect.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

I'm with you on this and two weeks ago or so was complimenting Joe's rotation choices and TL as 20minute guy off the bench. Got a little pushback that we should be using TL more like 30 than 20, but the results so far speak for themselves. A two man center rotation with Al closer to 30 and TL closer to 20 gives us 48-minute rim protection, a bouncy TL, and two different looks when they don't overlap (Al as stretch 5, TL as rim-runner). Different tools in the toolbox. IMO, it's a case of some of TLs minutes going to one of the awesome guard contingent that Brad has assembled.

I suspect that Grant takes Hauser's minutes and maybe a few of the guard minutes, but I'd be very surprised if Grant plays 30 on the regular even against Embiid or Giannis. We need his beef, but damn he's been bad lately.

Yeah, Grant is going to be the guy against nearly all the playoff teams aside from Hawks and Kings where Hauser matches up better…..I can’t really think of anyone else where his defensive skillset isn’t necessary.

 

[Spelunker]

I'm with you on this and two weeks ago or so was complimenting Joe's rotation choices and TL as 20minute guy off the bench. Got a little pushback that we should be using TL more like 30 than 20, but the results so far speak for themselves. A two man center rotation with Al closer to 30 and TL closer to 20 gives us 48-minute rim protection, a bouncy TL, and two different looks when they don't overlap (Al as stretch 5, TL as rim-runner). Different tools in the toolbox. IMO, it's a case of some of TLs minutes going to one of the awesome guard contingent that Brad has assembled.

I suspect that Grant takes Hauser's minutes and maybe a few of the guard minutes, but I'd be very surprised if Grant plays 30 on the regular even against Embiid or Giannis. We need his beef, but damn he's been bad lately.

Also, the playoffs just started, it's a long road, and Atlanta is by far the worst team we'll face. Lower minutes for TL here in this series absolutely make sense.

 

[jmcc5400]

Yeah, Grant is going to be the guy against nearly all the playoff teams aside from Hawks and Kings where Hauser matches up better…..I can’t really think of anyone else where his defensive skillset isn’t necessary.

It would be nice if this layoff was allowing Grant's arm/elbow injury to heal up.

 

[lovegtm]

I'm with you on this and two weeks ago or so was complimenting Joe's rotation choices and TL as 20minute guy off the bench. Got a little pushback that we should be using TL more like 30 than 20, but the results so far speak for themselves. A two man center rotation with Al closer to 30 and TL closer to 20 gives us 48-minute rim protection, a bouncy TL, and two different looks when they don't overlap (Al as stretch 5, TL as rim-runner). Different tools in the toolbox. IMO, it's a case of some of TLs minutes going to one of the awesome guard contingent that Brad has assembled.

I suspect that Grant takes Hauser's minutes and maybe a few of the guard minutes, but I'd be very surprised if Grant plays 30 on the regular even against Embiid or Giannis. We need his beef, but damn he's been bad lately.

And they always retain the option to flip it and play TL 30/Al 20 if the situation warrants.

 

[TripleOT]

Boston is 10-1 this season when TL scores in double figures. They are 16-10 when he doesn’t score ten or more points.

Playing him and AL at different times doesn’t give them the all time great defense, but allows TL easy pickings if they go to him in the paint with he plays with four littles,, as they did early in the first two playoff games.

I like they way they are playing only one big at a time for most of the game. They don’t need Rob’s rim protection as much with the starters as they do when Hauser and Brodgon are on the floor.

I hope they can keep Rob’s minutes down in these early rounds, and I hope he keeps getting touches. They should up his paint touches to 6-7 per game, at least.

 

[bakahump]

The per 36 and per100 dont back this up....But damn if Hauser isnt a good rebounder.
And in the final 8 (ones he played) Regular Season Games Tatum shot 40% from 3. And the 2 Playoff games 50%

With White leveling up and Tatum hitting 40%+ this team will be TOUGH.

 

[RorschachsMask]

Super small sample, but Tatum is 5-9 on pull-up threes through the two games, and one of those misses was a clear foul that didn’t get called. That’s after finishing the regular season at 39% on them over his last five games.

When he’s hitting pull-ups? It’s lights out for defenses.

 

[joe dokes]

This C's offense in the half-court goes up a notch when White initiates. Players move, the ball pops, lots of penetration.

As I mentioned in the game thread, White's seemingly effortless ability to do some of everything at both ends of the floor reminds me a bit of a middle-class man's Havlicek. Right down to the runner/floater in the lane.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Do you think this is what Mazzulla intends for the default playoff rotation, or just for Atlanta? Timelord for 22 minutes off the bench is certainly good for keeping TL's minutes down (and he's thus often going against bench bigs), but I'd be a bit surprised if he's not put up to starting role / minutes coming up. Since he returned from his 2 weeks off on 3/21, he played 5 games where he didn't start (minutes: 15' - 20'), 2 games off, then 2 games starting (31' and 25'), then took game 82 off. Wasn't sure if that was ramping up, or just prepping 2 different roles.

I think Rob off the bench is better, because of 1) his health, 2) the need to always have one of Rob and Al on the floor, and 3) I think the Smart/White/Brogdon part of the rotation works better with Rob coming off the bench.

Some of that might change when the matchup does. But if you are Mazzulla, against Atlanta, I don't think you want to put yourself in a positon where you have to break the glass and put Kornet or Blake out there in meaningful minutes.

 

[chilidawg]

As I mentioned in the game thread, White's seemingly effortless ability to do some of everything at both ends of the floor reminds me a bit of a middle-class man's Havlicek. Right down to the runner/floater in the lane.

He's got a similar non stop motor as well.

 

[the moops]

But if you are Mazzulla, against Atlanta, I don't think you want to put yourself in a positon where you have to break the glass and put Kornet or Blake out there in meaningful minutes.

BOS could start Kornet and have Blake come off the bench and BOS would still be favored to win every game against ATL. ATL is not a good basketball team

 

[HomeRunBaker]

I think Rob off the bench is better, because of 1) his health, 2) the need to always have one of Rob and Al on the floor, and 3) I think the Smart/White/Brogdon part of the rotation works better with Rob coming off the bench.

Some of that might change when the matchup does. But if you are Mazzulla, against Atlanta, I don't think you want to put yourself in a positon where you have to break the glass and put Kornet or Blake out there in meaningful minutes.

Exactly. This is what I have been in favor of at the deadline once we didn’t add Poeltl. Playing them together ensures that Kornet/Blake/Muscala play significant roles off the bench. We don’t know if he’ll change this up moving on but Atlanta is a unique team in the EC side that also requires Hauser over Grant which won’t be the case in later rounds so this series it was a no-brainer. Lots of basketball left to play.

 

[TripleOT]

Exasperated Coach Don’s breakdown of the Hawks defensive woes was great, and here’s another YouTube video guy breaking down Trae Young’s inept offense in Game 2

View: https://youtu.be/ZyPWbvqraHY

 

[ifmanis5]

Hate the scheduling, they should be playing tonight not Friday. And that puts them on the same days as the Bruins this weekend. Not a fan.

 

[BigSoxFan]

Hate the scheduling, they should be playing tonight not Friday. And that puts them on the same days as the Bruins this weekend. Not a fan.

NBA first round scheduling is the worst. Way too drawn out when we're just trying to cull the bad teams for when the playoffs really start in Round 2.

 

[lovegtm]

NBA first round scheduling is the worst. Way too drawn out when we're just trying to cull the bad teams for when the playoffs really start in Round 2.

Every series in the West has been very good, except for Denver-Minny, and every matchup features at least one legit Finals contender.

The East sucks outside of Cle-NYK, but Miami-Milwaukee could take some more turns yet.

I don't think it's at all bad that they are not doing 4-game nights when there is this much compelling basketball.

That said, I watch the games when I wake up in European morning, so it's less of a problem for me that both good games tonight are late night affairs, for example.

 

[BigSoxFan]

Every series in the West has been very good, except for Denver-Minny, and every matchup features at least one legit Finals contender.

The East sucks outside of Cle-NYK, but Miami-Milwaukee could take some more turns yet.

I don't think it's at all bad that they are not doing 4-game nights when there is this much compelling basketball.

That said, I watch the games when I wake up in European morning, so it's less of a problem for me that both good games tonight are late night affairs, for example.

The West is a bit of a jumbled mess this year though. The first round is generally not that interesting to me but I acknowledge that others may have more of an interest. You're right that there are some interesting series out West, especially given the Draymond fireworks and the KD/Kawhi matchup. I'm also hyperfocused on the Celtics' title hunt, which impacts my position a bit.

 

[chilidawg]

Every series in the West has been very good, except for Denver-Minny, and every matchup features at least one legit Finals contender.

The East sucks outside of Cle-NYK, but Miami-Milwaukee could take some more turns yet.

I don't think it's at all bad that they are not doing 4-game nights when there is this much compelling basketball.

That said, I watch the games when I wake up in European morning, so it's less of a problem for me that both good games tonight are late night affairs, for example.

I watched the 2nd half of Denver/Minny last night and thought it was a great game. Twolves came back to make a game of it, Ant was spectacular, but too much Murray, Porter and Jokic. Some great shot making from both teams.

 

[InstaFace]

Exasperated Coach Don’s breakdown of the Hawks defensive woes was great, and here’s another YouTube video guy breaking down Trae Young’s inept offense in Game 2

View: https://youtu.be/ZyPWbvqraHY

That guy sounds a lot less drunk and disorderly than in the video after Game 1.

Some good video illustration though - honestly that could be put into the "help me understand basketball" thread. Slowing things down and showing what both teams want to do in a given play is really helpful.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Every series in the West has been very good, except for Denver-Minny, and every matchup features at least one legit Finals contender.

The East sucks outside of Cle-NYK, but Miami-Milwaukee could take some more turns yet.

I don't think it's at all bad that they are not doing 4-game nights when there is this much compelling basketball.

That said, I watch the games when I wake up in European morning, so it's less of a problem for me that both good games tonight are late night affairs, for example.

They never do 4-games on weeknights as they would be competing against themselves for numbers. I’m guessing the contractual media arrangement that they have also prevents the 4-game weeknight from taking place. R1 is always going to drag out for this reason.

 

[benhogan]

Exasperated Coach Don’s breakdown of the Hawks defensive woes was great, and here’s another YouTube video guy breaking down Trae Young’s inept offense in Game 2

View: https://youtu.be/ZyPWbvqraHY

Great stuff. Just to recap:
1. Trae launching logo 3s early in the shot clock
2. Trae not getting back in transition D
3. White has locked him down and is in his head when he shoots in the lane
4. Trae has gone to Hunting Hauser which has led to several turnovers & little offensive production

 

[Euclis20]

Great stuff. Just to recap:
1. Trae launching logo 3s early in the shot clock
2. Trae not getting back in transition D
3. White has locked him down and is in his head when he shoots in the lane
4. Trae has gone to Hunting Hauser which has led to several turnovers & little offensive production

#4 is hilarious because it's clearly what Atlanta wants, and just as clearly something that Boston is fine to give up. After forcing the switch, Trae scored once on a step back 3 and Murray scored once on a short jumper in the paint (in the middle of his hot streak in the 3rd quarter), but that was it. Trae Young who repeatedly does the wrong thing on offense is a terrible player.

 

[Cellar-Door]

#4 is hilarious because it's clearly what Atlanta wants, and just as clearly something that Boston is fine to give up. After forcing the switch, Trae scored once on a step back 3 and Murray scored once on a short jumper in the paint (in the middle of his hot streak in the 3rd quarter), but that was it. Trae Young who repeatedly does the wrong thing on offense is a terrible player.

Celtics have done a decent amount of trying to switch it back, but they also are fine with it certain places and time... especially 30+ feet out because Trae isn't driving because he won't get soft calls in this series and he's not gonna take heavy contact (hard for him even to force it because he doesn't have a big enough athletic edge).

 

[Jimbodandy]

Celtics have done a decent amount of trying to switch it back, but they also are fine with it certain places and time... especially 30+ feet out because Trae isn't driving because he won't get soft calls in this series and he's not gonna take heavy contact (hard for him even to force it because he doesn't have a big enough athletic edge).

The bolded is a key part of this. Trae is shifty and quick but not to the level where he can traffic cone Sam Hauser. Unless he fully walks by the guy, Sam is able to use his 6"+ standing reach advantage to bother the shot. And Sam's not bad enough with his feet that he's being traffic coned (in general).

Go ahead, Hawks. Keep targeting him. Hasn't worked for anyone else either. If Trae were just a little quicker, I think that he might get layups. But he's not.

 

[InstaFace]

The bolded is a key part of this. Trae is shifty and quick but not to the level where he can traffic cone Sam Hauser. Unless he fully walks by the guy, Sam is able to use his 6"+ standing reach advantage to bother the shot. And Sam's not bad enough with his feet that he's being traffic coned (in general).

Go ahead, Hawks. Keep targeting him. Hasn't worked for anyone else either. If Trae were just a little quicker, I think that he might get layups. But he's not.

In praise of Sam Hauser's defense

Opposing offenses target Hauser on a whopping 21% of possessions, the highest percentage in the league for qualifying players. Clearly, offenses are under the impression that Hauser can’t defend, so they target him with reckless abandon when he’s in.

Unfortunately for these teams, though, they only score 0.96 per possession, which would, again, be by far the worst offense in the NBA.

They go into video-breakdown detail on his defense, which most of us have seen but is still nice to have highlighted.

And, ya know:

View: https://twitter.com/taylorcsnow/status/1628937425580957696



He might as well have "come at me, bro" tattooed on his forehead.

 

[DGreenwood]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anBMIuUrDiM&ab_channel=NBA

 

[lovegtm]

Lol Celtics, gjge. No further commentary.

 

[k-factory]

Marcus with 19 FG attempts including 12 from 3. White with 7 (3-4 from 3).
Granted both Brown and White were saddled with foul trouble but that’s way too many shots for Smart. Not nearly enough drives to the paint which has then their bread and butter. Not engaging Rob as much seemed like a missed opportunity

 

[Rook05]

Karalis has it right: This team will always take the harder path. The first half defense was embarrassing, and they were lucky to be hot from three early. I give them some credit for staying in contact most of the second half, and Atlanta bailed themselves had some tough shot making which happens…but it’s frustrating these guys can’t just take care of business.

It’s one game in a four month Round One so I guess who cares… But this ATL team blows, and Jaylen’s Invisible Hand, er, Man routine is concerning.

 

[chilidawg]

Both teams shot 44% from 3. Biggest difference was that ATl at least pretended to protect the paint and C's didn't. Atlanta was 36-57 from 2 and the C's had 0 blocked shots.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

I almost wonder if the Atlanta game plan was just "let's give them enough open threes that they stop attacking."

 

[lovegtm]

I almost wonder if the Atlanta game plan was just "let's give them enough open threes that they stop attacking."

As a coach, the way you can say this is "we're going to pack the paint, and not give up anything at the rim." I haven't rewatched to see whether ATL did that early.

 

[MyDaughterLovesTomGordon]

I really want to understand the zero blocks thing.

In the entire season, there was only 1 game with zero blocks: Nov. 30 against Miami, a 134-120 track meet where they shot 22-45 from 3, 24-38 from 2, and generally laid waste to the Heat. The game previous, they had absolutely WAXED Charlotte, shooting 24-52 from three.

The next game, though, if you'll remember, they shot 33% from 3, only blocked 2 shots, and lost in very disappointing fashion.

Then, they left on that long road trip, the end of which previewed their worst stretch of basketball of the year, where they lost 5 out of 6. That included the back-to-back Orlando losses where they went a combined 23 for 93 from three (my stomach hurts just thinking about it).

Still, it's hard to even find something correlative with low-block games. They're 13-6 in games with 3 or fewer blocks, which is right at their normal rate, and they're 8-5 in the games with 8 or more blocks, which is worse.

But SOMETHING had to have changed in the scheme one way or the other to go from 12 blocks and 8 personal fouls in game 2 to zero blocks and 17 fouls in game 3.

Edit to add: The 51 made baskets the Hawks had in game 3 is the 3rd most they've given up this year, behind only:

1 - The 54 they gave up to the Wizards in the late-season game that had to have been their worst loss of the season, all things considered.
2 - The 58 they gave up to OKC when the boys out west dropped 150 on the Cs in a game I have done my best to blot from my memory.

That seems sort of untenable for the Hawks, but the Hawks DID make 50 buckets against the Cs in a loss this year, so maybe there's something there.

 

[lexrageorge]

The game was the classic example of a team desperate to win at home and avoid a sweep. Game 3 always favors the team that is down 2-0.

 

[SteveF]

Celtics have been weirdly bad in transition this series. They were a decent transition team in the regular season at 1.18 PPP. The frequency of transition has gone up (17.2% vs 20.4%), but they are at only 0.82 PPP in the playoffs (sample size, obv.) Some of it is turnovers (11.9% vs 16.4%), and some of it is just missing shots ( 63.4% efg vs. 45.9% efg).

 

[Humphrey]

As a coach, the way you can say this is "we're going to pack the paint, and not give up anything at the rim." I haven't rewatched to see whether ATL did that early.

I definitely think that when the Celtics go inside early; in a lot cases because the threes are dropping; then start the three point barrage, it's more effective than when it happens the other way around.

 

[MyDaughterLovesTomGordon]

I don't think it's "why they lost," but I'd like throughout the playoffs to see Tatum take more shots.

He was 9-22 last night.

In the 2022-2023 season, the Cs are 22-4 when Tatum takes 23 or more shots, 30-18 when he takes 22 or fewer.

Obviously, Tatum making shots helps, too. He hit just 9 FGs last night.

In the 2022-2023 season, the Cs are 34-6 when Tatum makes 10 or more shots, 18-16 when he makes 9 or fewer.

 

[benhogan]

Celtic's defense was terrible from the tip. Early foul trouble/exit for White led to awful on-ball perimeter defense. TL floated around with little purpose. Al got beat numerous times for rebounds.

The Celtics have been pretty unbeatable when shooting 40% from 3 this season. So even though Brown went invisible and Smart incessantly launched, it was 100% on the defensive effort/discipline.

 

[NomarsFool]

They were doubling Tatum and leaving Smart open a lot. I think passing out of that situation is the right call, Smart just didn’t hit enough of those shots. Smart also took some threes which weren’t in that situation, which I think were not good looks. CJM put Brogdon in for Smart late in the 4th I think because Smart wasn’t hitting those open 3s, but he didn’t stick with it long.

 

[SteveF]

Rewatching g3, Celtics played their big on Jalen Johnson when he was in the game with the idea of helping off him/staying in the paint for rebounding. They'd basically give Johnson any shot he wanted above the 3 point line. Atlanta started putting Johnson in screening actions as you'd expect, oftentimes empty side PnR and the Celtics switched it, resulting in Al frequently in isolation against Trae, and that went poorly in the first half. And of course they'd do the same when Johnson was out of the game with their big, with Murray/Young in empty side PnR against Rob or Al.

Of course it wasn't always just empty side PnR. They also ran it in the middle of the floor. The Celtics had Al on Collins in the corner a few times and he'd run up and set a screen for Trae, the Celtics giving up the switch and Trae would just blow by Al.

At the end of the 4th quarter, the Celtics were switching 1-5. They had Al on Hunter (I guess the idea here is Hunter isn't going to hurt you as a roller or a popper), Hunter would set the screen, and Al would switch on to Trae. That went better when I watched it on replay than I thought it did in real time. Not great, but better than the first half.

There were a few individual breakdowns -- going for pump fakes, losing your man. Some dribble penetration by Murray leading to rotating bigs and the inevitable putbacks. I don't think White was great containing drives that game, either by Trae or Murray. Some trouble getting defensive rebounds in the first quarter, and then again late in the 4th quarter.

I think they should consider going under screens for Murray above the 3 point line and take their chances. Murray's dribble penetration really hurt them that game, especially when Brogdon was trying to guard him. The drops might have also been a bit too deep. I presume they were worried about offensive rebounding and didn't want their bigs dragged too far from the rim. They might even consider preswitching off the screener (they did that a bunch under Ime), but that usually only delays the inevitable.

And as everyone has said, Atlanta made some tough shots.

Maybe part of the fix for Trae PnR/iso is to make it more painful to play him on defense. They never really made a concerted effort to hunt him.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Celtic's defense was terrible from the tip. Early foul trouble/exit for White led to awful on-ball perimeter defense. TL floated around with little purpose. Al got beat numerous times for rebounds.

The Celtics have been pretty unbeatable when shooting 40% from 3 this season. So even though Brown went invisible and Smart incessantly launched, it was 100% on the defensive effort/discipline.

I wouldn’t say it was terrible but it was inconsistent. Even when it was good Dejounte made a bunch of high difficulty shots. Then they got a lot of second chances that we didn’t take advantage of when they didn’t get them. If the Hawks don’t shoot at an unsustainable level we aren’t even having this discussion. G4 we need to up the overall focus rather than going in and out.

 

[reggiecleveland]

This is the first game I have watched in the series. The Celtics got beat off the ball all 1st half, allowing the Hawks to get it going from 3. They spent a huge amount of energy getting back into it and fell short. The Hawks can't stop them.

 

[bosockboy]

Mostly just disappointed they still have that killer instinct gene missing. They played probably 3 unnecessary games against the Bucks and Heat last year because they couldn’t close out and those 3 games caught up with them in the back half of The Finals. They really need to get this done in 5.

 

[kieckeredinthehead]

I really want to understand the zero blocks thing.

In the entire season, there was only 1 game with zero blocks: Nov. 30 against Miami, a 134-120 track meet where they shot 22-45 from 3, 24-38 from 2, and generally laid waste to the Heat. The game previous, they had absolutely WAXED Charlotte, shooting 24-52 from three.

The next game, though, if you'll remember, they shot 33% from 3, only blocked 2 shots, and lost in very disappointing fashion.

Then, they left on that long road trip, the end of which previewed their worst stretch of basketball of the year, where they lost 5 out of 6. That included the back-to-back Orlando losses where they went a combined 23 for 93 from three (my stomach hurts just thinking about it).

Still, it's hard to even find something correlative with low-block games. They're 13-6 in games with 3 or fewer blocks, which is right at their normal rate, and they're 8-5 in the games with 8 or more blocks, which is worse.

But SOMETHING had to have changed in the scheme one way or the other to go from 12 blocks and 8 personal fouls in game 2 to zero blocks and 17 fouls in game 3.

I thought the refs were mostly fine last night (Tatum’s typical theatrics notwithstanding), but blocks and personal fouls are probably negatively correlated in general.