Celtics vs Heat ECF Redux Discussion Thread

[DeadlySplitter]

• Game 1: Heat vs. Celtics | Wed., May 17 | 8:30 ET, TNT
• Game 2: Heat vs. Celtics | Fri., May 19 | 8:30 ET, TNT
• Game 3: Celtics vs. Heat | Sun., May 21 | 8:30 ET, TNT
• Game 4: Celtics vs. Heat | Tue., May 23 | 8:30 ET, TNT
• *Game 5: Heat vs. Celtics | Thu., May 25 | 8:30 ET, TNT
• *Game 6: Celtics/ vs. Heat | Sat., May 27 | 8:30 ET, TNT
• *Game 7: Heat vs. Celtics | Mon., May 29 | 8:30 ET, TNT

Get two days off now, but no prolonged breaks within the series.

I don't need to tell anyone that no one should take Miami lightly.

 

[Reverend]

oh feemefucksake… the fucking Heat.

 

[JCizzle]

8:30 starts. You’re fucking killing me, NBA.

 

[ifmanis5]

Already sick of Lowry.

 

[amlothi]

Yep, already too much flopping going on in this series.

 

[JCizzle]

Already sick of Lowry.

We can only hope to escape this series without him seriously injuring one of the Celtics.

 

[djbayko]

Oh fuck. 4+ games of Lowry.

 

[Ale Xander]

Does the CR have later trains than usual for this?

 

[kieckeredinthehead]

Sucks that if the coaches were switched there would be zero doubt who wins.

 

[mikeford]

830 starts for an all east coast series should be punishable by tarring and feathering

 

[koufax32]

Likelihood of BOS taking their situation for granted and just assuming they’ll waltz through? High. Chances of seeing playoff Jimmy at least twice? High. Chances of Spol forcing the ball out of Tatum’s hands and making everyone else beat them? High. Chances of a Boston victory in a longer than expected series? High. I’ll take BOS in 7, though I really wish I could say BOS in 5.

 

[JCizzle]

830 starts for an all east coast series should be punishable by tarring and feathering

We overthrew the British for what, this? Not in my America!!!

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

I love the Celts in this series, in 5, 6 max. The Celts have Brogdon and even Hauser that they didn't have last year to attack the zone. The Heat don't have Herro. Spo is great and Butler is terrific, but the Celts are just too much better.

 

[jose melendez]

The Cs should be able to run the Heat into ground. They just don't have the horses.

 

[Mystic Merlin]

Likelihood of BOS taking their situation for granted and just assuming they’ll waltz through? High. Chances of seeing playoff Jimmy at least twice? High. Chances of Spol forcing the ball out of Tatum’s hands and making everyone else beat them? High. Chances of a Boston victory in a longer than expected series? High. I’ll take BOS in 7, though I really wish I could say BOS in 5.[/B]

After the last two playoff series against Miami? I say low.

 

[mikeford]

It better be low but I've seen enough of this core of Celtics to know they take everyone lightly til they can't anymore.

 

[koufax32]

It better be low but I've seen enough of this core of Celtics to know they take everyone lightly til they can't anymore.

This, until proven otherwise

 

[mostman]

8:30. Wtf. Guess we don’t care about kids becoming NBA fans.

 

[Justthetippett]

Heat are pros, but they are nowhere near as threatening as the past few years. If the Celts limit their mistakes and shoot reasonably well, I would expect they win in 5. Now go get it.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

If the Celtics defend, Celtics in 5 or 6. If they don't, 7 games and either could win.

 

[lars10]

Would like to see this Celtics team show up two or three times at least against the Heat.. because nobody is beating that team.

Butler is always the wildcard.. but hopefully the C's can figure out how to defend him... and also mercilessly go after Duncan Robinson on offense.

 

[BaseballJones]

The Cs should be able to run the Heat into ground. They just don't have the horses.

I mean….. yes but…. We know it’s gonna be a back alley knife fight the whole way, right?

 

[sonofgodcf]

Sucks that if the coaches were switched there would be zero doubt who wins.

Christ. Guy gets thrown into the fire a week before the season, finishes with a better record than last year and gets to the ECF and people still want to whine.

You know Spoelstra lost his first season with James/Wade/Bosh, right? Maybe give CJM a little rope...

 

[CoffeeNerdness]

The Bucks shot 38% from 3 v. the Heat's 45% and the Knicks shot a putrid 29% to the Heat's 30%. The C's shot 38% v. Philly and 40% v. ATL(33% for PHI and 37% for ATL)

 

[mikeford]

theres gonna be at least 2 rock fight games in this series where the final score is like 94-89 or something.

 

[lars10]

Christ. Guy gets thrown into the fire a week before the season, finishes with a better record than last year and gets to the ECF and people still want to whine.

You know Spoelstra lost his first season with James/Wade/Bosh, right? Maybe give CJM a little rope...

I think a lot of people here think Spoelstra is the best coach in the NBA at the moment.. and even with decent results this is still CJMs first run through the playoffs

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

Does the CR have later trains than usual for this?

Do you have tickets?

Late starts are so west coast can see it after work.

 

[sonofgodcf]

I think a lot of people here think Spoelstra is the best coach in the NBA at the moment.. and even with decent results this is still CJMs first run through the playoffs

While I think "decent results" is a bit of an understatement, I agree with your larger point.

My post was directed more at @kieckeredinthehead (and apologies if I have you mistaken for a different poster; in my defense, beer) and others who seem to be perpetually down on this team. For fuck's sake, winning a game seven (or series for that matter) is hard. CJM is learning on the job, but we may just have the next Spoelstra at age 34. At least wait for a loss to start whining.

 

[Marbleheader]

Boston Sports Teams in Conference Championships Since 2000 (32) :

2001 Patriots- Steelers W
2002 Celtics- Nets L
2003 Patriots-Colts W
2003 Red Sox- Yankees L
2004 Red Sox- Yankees W
2004 Patriots- Steelers W
2006 Patriots- Colts L
2007 Patriots- Chargers W
2007 Red Sox-Indians W
2008 Celtics-Pistons W
2008 Red Sox-Rays L
2010 Celtics-Magic W
2011 Bruins-Lightning W
2011 Patriots- Ravens W
2012 Celtics-Heat L
2012 Patriots-Ravens L
2013 Bruins-Penguins W
2013 Patriots-Broncos L
2013 Red Sox-Tigers W
2014 Patriots-Colts W
2015 Patriots-Broncos L
2016 Patriots-Steelers W
2017 Celtics-Cavaliers L
2017 Patriots-Jaguars W
2018 Red Sox-Astros W
2018 Patriots-Chiefs W
2018 Celtics-Cavaliers L
2019 Bruins-Hurricanes W
2020 Celtics-Heat L
2021 Red Sox-Astros L
2022 Celtics-Heat W
2023 Celtics - Heat

Patriots =13
Celtics =9
Red Sox = 7
Bruins =3

Only 2005 and 2009 did not feature at least one

Combined record 19-12

 

[Ale Xander]

Boston Sports Teams in Conference Championships Since 2000 (32) :

2001 Patriots- Steelers W
2002 Celtics- Nets L
2003 Patriots-Colts W
2003 Red Sox- Yankees L
2004 Red Sox- Yankees W
2004 Patriots- Steelers W
2006 Patriots- Colts L
2007 Patriots- Chargers W
2007 Red Sox-Indians W
2008 Celtics-Pistons W
2008 Red Sox-Rays L
2010 Celtics-Magic W
2011 Bruins-Lightning W
2011 Patriots- Ravens W
2012 Celtics-Heat L
2012 Patriots-Ravens L
2013 Bruins-Penguins W
2013 Patriots-Broncos L
2013 Red Sox-Tigers W
2014 Patriots-Colts W
2015 Patriots-Broncos L
2016 Patriots-Steelers W
2017 Celtics-Cavaliers L
2017 Patriots-Jaguars W
2018 Red Sox-Astros W
2018 Patriots-Chiefs W
2018 Celtics-Cavaliers L
2019 Bruins-Hurricanes W
2020 Celtics-Heat L
2021 Red Sox-Astros L
2022 Celtics-Heat W
2023 Celtics - Heat

Patriots =13
Celtics =9
Red Sox = 7
Bruins =3

Only 2005 and 2009 did not feature at least one

Combined record 19-12

BU won the NCAA hockey title in 2009 though and BC has 6 FF’s in the aughts (3 finals 2 championships) and another 2 titles in 2010 and 2012.

 

[timelysarcasm]

I'm going with the optimists here, Jimmy looked gassed at the end of that NYK series.

Celtics are a much better team and have looked rejuvenated with TimeLord starting. Really hoping they don't fuck around this time.

 

[dhellers]

Boston Sports Teams in Conference Championships Since 2000 (32) :

2001 Patriots- Steelers W
2002 Celtics- Nets L
2003 Patriots-Colts W
2003 Red Sox- Yankees L
2004 Red Sox- Yankees W
2004 Patriots- Steelers W
2006 Patriots- Colts L
2007 Patriots- Chargers W
2007 Red Sox-Indians W
2008 Celtics-Pistons W
2008 Red Sox-Rays L
2010 Celtics-Magic W
2011 Bruins-Lightning W
2011 Patriots- Ravens W
2012 Celtics-Heat L
2012 Patriots-Ravens L
2013 Bruins-Penguins W
2013 Patriots-Broncos L
2013 Red Sox-Tigers W
2014 Patriots-Colts W
2015 Patriots-Broncos L
2016 Patriots-Steelers W
2017 Celtics-Cavaliers L
2017 Patriots-Jaguars W
2018 Red Sox-Astros W
2018 Patriots-Chiefs W
2018 Celtics-Cavaliers L
2019 Bruins-Hurricanes W
2020 Celtics-Heat L
2021 Red Sox-Astros L
2022 Celtics-Heat W
2023 Celtics - Heat

Patriots =13
Celtics =9
Red Sox = 7
Bruins =3

Only 2005 and 2009 did not feature at least one

Combined record 19-12

That's amazing. Its nice to be spoiled

 

[koufax32]

I'm going with the optimists here, Jimmy looked gassed at the end of that NYK series.

Celtics are a much better team and have looked rejuvenated with TimeLord starting. Really hoping they don't fuck around this time.

Does 2BIGZ fit against this MIA team?

 

[jon abbey]

I'm going with the optimists here, Jimmy looked gassed at the end of that NYK series.

He hurt his ankle once or twice, I think it was that more than being tired, but also he mostly wasn't needed to go all Superman like he had to to win the MIL series.

 

[jon abbey]

Also Bam Adebayo and his extra-wide picks is the guy you have to worry about hurting your players, he hurt 3-4 Knicks over the course of that series.

 

[TomTerrific]

Does anyone know where the Cs stay in Miami, or have a guess?

This comes from my son, who has to be in West Palm on Wed, so is planning on coming down early Tuesday to attend the game Tuesday night. He would love to stay in the Cs hotel just to get a glimpse of the players there as well as at the arena.

Feel free to PM me if you don't want to blast this one over the intertubes.

 

[luckiestman]

Does anyone know where the Cs stay in Miami, or have a guess?

This comes from my son, who has to be in West Palm on Wed, so is planning on coming down early Tuesday to attend the game Tuesday night. He would love to stay in the Cs hotel just to get a glimpse of the players there as well as at the arena.

Feel free to PM me if you don't want to blast this one over the intertubes.

Nice try, Riles

 

[Imbricus]

This feels like it should be a series that's 50-50 for either 5 games or 6 games, with the Celtics clearly the better team. But they can't take the Heat for granted and really need to show up.

 

[timelysarcasm]

Also Bam Adebayo and his extra-wide picks is the guy you have to worry about hurting your players, he hurt 3-4 Knicks over the course of that series.

This feels like it should be a series that's 50-50 for either 5 games or 6 games, with the Celtics clearly the better team. But they can't take the Heat for granted and really need to show up.

Yeah, I don't think any of the Celtics are going to take Miami lightly. Tatum said it when he was asked about Miami upsetting the Bucks - he didn't consider them an underdog at all. They'll be ready, this is just fun for us to talk about. And yeah, in my opinion they play on the edge of dirty every single game, so I hate playing against them for that reason. Stepping under shooters and Adebayo's constant wide moving screens.

As for the double bigs - I would keep it just because of how much it ratcheted up our defense. Philly was the best 3 point shooting team in the NBA this season, and aside from a couple of open looks they canned, it helped having the paint covered in G6 and G7. Jimmy and Bam getting to the rim should be more of a concern imo. Plus everyone seemed to do their job defensively much better with the comfort of having Rob in there. They can always adjust if somehow Strus/Robinson/Vincent can too many.

 

[the1andonly3003]

No chance I am still awake at halftime for any of these games (since I'm back in the ET for the duration of ECF)

 

[joe dokes]

View: https://youtu.be/MMXgSFmDPos

 

[Auger34]

I’m stealing something from Dan Greenberg here but there should be a 9 man rotation for this series. Hauser can absolutely play in this series and Grant has been very good on Bam historically

 

[Philip Jeff Frye]

This feels like it should be a series that's 50-50 for either 5 games or 6 games, with the Celtics clearly the better team. But they can't take the Heat for granted and really need to show up.

Not to pick on this post particularly, but after all the similar predictions about the last two series, how can people write stuff like this? There's just something about this team that it can't enjoy an easy playoff victory.

 

[lars10]

Also Bam Adebayo and his extra-wide picks is the guy you have to worry about hurting your players, he hurt 3-4 Knicks over the course of that series.

I feel like Vincent was the sneaky dirty player of the series.. he definitely put his foot under Brunson on purpose on one of his shots.. and he predictably rolled his ankle. Feel like there was another play where he did something similar, but can't remember it off hand. The Brunson one definitely stuck out though as it looked very intentional in real time.

 

[lars10]

Not to pick on this post particularly, but after all the similar predictions about the last two series, how can people write stuff like this? There's just something about this team that it can't enjoy an easy playoff victory.

Is 6 games really an easy playoff victory?

edit: it's funny.. at first I read your post as being positive, but then realized that no.. you were being negative after just watching the C's play a pretty great game to end the series against a probably superior team to the Heat.

 

[TomTerrific]

Nice try, Riles

Hey, it isn’t just Spo working here

 

[tims4wins]

Is 6 games really an easy playoff victory?

edit: it's funny.. at first I read your post as being positive, but then realized that no.. you were being negative after just watching the C's play a pretty great game to end the series against a probably superior team to the Heat.

To answer the question, to me it depends how it gets there. 2-0, 2-1, 3-1, 3-2, 4-2… that’s not the easiest path, but it was never truly in danger.

 

[timelysarcasm]

I feel like Vincent was the sneaky dirty player of the series.. he definitely put his foot under Brunson on purpose on one of his shots.. and he predictably rolled his ankle. Feel like there was another play where he did something similar, but can't remember it off hand. The Brunson one definitely stuck out though as it looked very intentional in real time.

Caleb Martin had one too. And it was obvious, he slid over hard, looked down and then moved his foot.

 

[kieckeredinthehead]

While I think "decent results" is a bit of an understatement, I agree with your larger point.

My post was directed more at @kieckeredinthehead (and apologies if I have you mistaken for a different poster; in my defense, beer) and others who seem to be perpetually down on this team. For fuck's sake, winning a game seven (or series for that matter) is hard. CJM is learning on the job, but we may just have the next Spoelstra at age 34. At least wait for a loss to start whining.

Good for him. Seems like a guy who really wants to win. I’m sure he’ll get better next year and the year after that. I’ve been waiting for this version of the Celtics to get to this stage since the Brooklyn trade. It sucks that the major question mark right now is the disparity between the two teams’ coaches. The Miami Heat have a good team, but the talent delta on the court is large. I would be much more excited for where the team is and to watch this series if the major question was about the teams and not their coaches. That sucks. It’s not a knock on anybody, I just find the narrative particularly uninteresting. It’s a distraction from the huge amount of talent the Celtics have developed and the ability that the players have worked hard to gain. To worry that Tatum, Brown, Al, Smart and the rest might not reach their goal this season because of all the coaching B.S. the past few years sucks. Would anybody here disagree that the outcome of this series would be a lock if the teams switched coaches?

 

[bigq]

Rob Williams played 30 minutes in the game tonight which is the most he has played in a playoff game this season but only by a couple of minutes. He played almost 28 minutes in G6. He did not produce spectacular box score stats or even have any leaping out of the gym blocks but his presence on the floor changes the game particularly on the defensive end. I’m hoping we see more of the two big lineups with Rob Williams and Al Horford against Miami because those two combined with Smart and the Jays are a defensive menace and I think defense is the path to winning this series.