Yes... It does.So the Celtics are better...and yet worse.
Well, that about sums it up, and explains why the series is tied at 2.
To a certain extent it explains the entire season. When they think they play well, when they don't, they suck.
Yes... It does.So the Celtics are better...and yet worse.
Well, that about sums it up, and explains why the series is tied at 2.
The Celtics hunted Strus like crazy in the 1H. The problem was that our lack of ball handlers made it a very sloppy endeavor to get our guys the ball in the right spots. This is why I was calling for more controlled iso in the 1H to manage this better while reducing turnover risk.Yeah but last night the Celtics weren't hunting shit. They were slogging.
I don't know if the Cs are stupider and sloppier. As Karalis said on his podcast last night, MIA plays super aggressive defense and take a bunch of fouls due to slapping at the ball and being physical. My instincts tell me that's a high variance approach for a playoff series. Sometimes, MIA will get there early and get a near-record in steals; other times, they will get there late and give up 32 FTs.The Cs are better. They might even be a good bit better. But they are also stupider and sloppier.
Oladipo can score for himself sometimes but the one thing he hasn't shown he can do right now is create for others. Herro can run the PnR and get others involved. He's also a tough shot-maker so it's okay to have the ball in his hands with the shot clock winding down. He was missed badly by MIA last night.You may be right on the bolded...but on the flipside Oladipo provided an offensive spark off the bench that Herro usually does by scoring 12 in the 2Q, and to my naked eye the Celts can't hunt Oladipo on the other end like the are able to do with Herro.
This is true, and Miami is lucky to have a player like Oladipo who can nominally fill those shoes, but on the balance you'd rather be facing Oladipo than Herro (who can carry the Heat offense for stretches). As @HomeRunBaker points out, hunting can also be erratic, especially for a team like the Celtics who are their own worst enemy on occasion.You may be right on the bolded...but on the flipside Oladipo provided an offensive spark off the bench that Herro usually does by scoring 12 in the 2Q, and to my naked eye the Celts can't hunt Oladipo on the other end like the are able to do with Herro.
I think part of the problem last night was when the Celtics do hunt mismatches, the Heat are quick to double and that has led to open three pointers during the series for people like Grant, White, Smart and Horford. Last night they shot a bad percentage on some pretty good looks; which stalled the offense a bit.The Celtics hunted Strus like crazy in the 1H. The problem was that our lack of ball handlers made it a very sloppy endeavor to get our guys the ball in the right spots. This is why I was calling for more controlled iso in the 1H to manage this better while reducing turnover risk.
A large part of this is depth and matchups. Miami has a lot of redundant guys that can keep doing what their starters do. The Celtics have some pretty solid players for specific matchups that are liabilities in others (e.g. Theis in this series). The Heat also have better “deep depth” which is why their scrubs mostly beat our scrubs.The Cs are better. They might even be a good bit better. But they are also stupider and sloppier.
It did seem like they took it personally that it was his 3 that killed the Game 3 comeback attempt. Impressively bad performance all around last night. Didn't record a box score stat, 0-7 from the field and 0-4 from 3, and managed to pick up 3 fouls in those 15 minutes.I'm willing to be told I'm wrong but I thought they hunted Strus right off the court...-33 in 15 minutes after playing an average of 30 the first 3 games. But yeah, on the whole...definitely a slog.
On the radio pre-game, Ime said exactly that to Grande. Something like, "when we drive into the lane we have to dish a dribble or three earlier."I don't know if the Cs are stupider and sloppier. As Karalis said on his podcast last night, MIA plays super aggressive defense and take a bunch of fouls due to slapping at the ball and being physical. My instincts tell me that's a high variance approach for a playoff series. Sometimes, MIA will get there early and get a near-record in steals; other times, they will get there late and give up 32 FTs.
I would love to see if BOS countered this by dribbling less last night than G3.
In post-game press conference, Rob says knee feels good. Obviously, if there's a bunch of swelling, his availability becomes much more doubtful but he didn't seem worried about playing in G5.After seeing TL limping at the end of his run last night, not sure he’s playing Game 5. Hope Smart is back.
Having at least one of those guys each game would be a huge plus for the rest of the series. Would be fine if they alternate, tbh.
If they’re short both, all of a sudden you’re seeing a lot more of Nesmith and Theis in a series deciding game. No thanks!
Agree with these points. Protect the ball. Draw fouls, get to the line, and stall MIA’s fast break. Focus on the defensive boards and minimize 2d chance points. This is how MIA scores. They’re not going to outshoot us In a half court match-up.If the last 2 games are any indication, if the C"s control the ball, the Heat stand 0 chance.
38 to 14 advantage in FT. Tatum alone had 16, 2 more than the whole Miami team. 26 personal fouls to 15.
C's also had 11 blocks, so TL's presence was definitely felt.
Miami went 14-36, 38.9% from 3.
Boston went 8-34, 23.5% from 3.
That usually doesn't lend itself to 20 point wins. Of course, Miami was 16-54 from 2, 29.6%. C's were 23-44, 52.3%
Both teams had 9 TO, C's had 21 assists on 31 baskets, Miami had 22 assists on 30. C's grabbed 14 rebounds on 47 missed shots, Miami managed 10 on 60.
Game 4: 38 to 14 FTA advantage
Game 3: 30 to 14
Game 2: 23 to 22
Game 1: 32 to 34 disadvantage.
So on the road, they are -1 at the line. At home, they are +40.
I'm not even really sure how Miami is in this series. 2 really bad quarters. The C's are just a better team. If Miami continues to get no FT edge at home, it's just a matter of not turning the ball over. I don't even think the C's have to shoot particularly well.
It is noticeable that Bam is aware of him. Kinda funny to me, but some extreme vertical guys like Bam, are hyper worried about being blocked. Guys like that may go years without ever getting blocked on the way up. So when it happens it can bother them more. Bam is a bit weird, I always think he is lefthanded because he rarely turns to his RH and posts up like a lefty. Without TL he just went off, then at times I could see him check if Rob was around then kick it out.As long as Time Lord can play 25-30 minutes I’m confident. If Smart can play I’m looking at that as a bonus. Without Williams, I’m not confident at all about game 5. He’s still undervalued even here on this site. He’s a huge difference maker on multiple levels. Changes everything.
I don't even think you need that many minutes from TL. He played 19 minutes last night, but the game was effectively over after his first quarter run. From where I was sitting, you could smell the fear in the Miami offense when they tried to bring the ball into the paint. Just rushing everything, or coming to a stop and kicking it out anytime he was in the area.As long as Time Lord can play 25-30 minutes I’m confident. If Smart can play I’m looking at that as a bonus. Without Williams, I’m not confident at all about game 5. He’s still undervalued even here on this site. He’s a huge difference maker on multiple levels. Changes everything.
Yes, you just need him the beginnings of each half to set the tone, and insert him into the lineup if they start to gain some confidence in the paint. You can just see the mental fatigue he causes entire offenses by his mere presence. Hell, you had one of the Nets players talking about it before they ever even played a game in the series.I don't even think you need that many minutes from TL. He played 19 minutes last night, but the game was effectively over after his first quarter run. From where I was sitting, you could smell the fear in the Miami offense when they tried to bring the ball into the paint. Just rushing everything, or coming to a stop and kicking it out anytime he was in the area.
I’d like to see Smart or TL on the floor for all of Jimmy’s minutes. If we can make this happen all we need is some focus with the series finish line in sight and we will win tomorrow night.I don't even think you need that many minutes from TL. He played 19 minutes last night, but the game was effectively over after his first quarter run. From where I was sitting, you could smell the fear in the Miami offense when they tried to bring the ball into the paint. Just rushing everything, or coming to a stop and kicking it out anytime he was in the area.
to my eyes, after he had that monster dunk on the first of those lobs is when he started limping....
- Rob Williams: played well in limited minutes yesterday, but was both noticeable limping, especially in the third quarter, and not having his usualy hops. He finished 3 lobs, but only one of them with a dunk.
This is so true. With TL the Celts look like they can sweep through not just the Mavs but as a legit fave vs GS. Without him they're a really good team who are 50/50 w/ the Heat and maybe a bit less than that vs the Warriors.As long as Time Lord can play 25-30 minutes I’m confident. If Smart can play I’m looking at that as a bonus. Without Williams, I’m not confident at all about game 5. He’s still undervalued even here on this site. He’s a huge difference maker on multiple levels. Changes everything.
3 - 4 lob scores from Rob would be an outlier, I think. You convert maybe 2 in a good game and the difference is more in the stretch it puts on the defense than in actual executions.It seems like the lob threat for Rob Williams makes a huge difference, even if it's just 3-4 buckets a game.
Murray has covid and doesn’t like the heat? This response is gold.Speculation time:
2 Heat got Covid and can’t travel?
View: https://mobile.twitter.com/bigjimmurray/status/1529229871360135168?s=10&t=W5NMmRxlqSVdk-aTYJe7bg
What a doofus. If he had a real scoop, he'd come right out and say it rather than leaving people guessing. He's probably either talking about himself or he just heard a rumor, so he decided to code it in cuneiform so that if it turns out to be false, he doesn't get slammed.Speculation time:
2 Heat got Covid and can’t travel?
View: https://mobile.twitter.com/bigjimmurray/status/1529229871360135168?s=10&t=W5NMmRxlqSVdk-aTYJe7bg
So, if this exchange had happened at the press conference after Game 4, it would have been accurate?So does that make Williams the sheriff?
I had to open the link to learn who this person is. Laughable that a regional radio host would have an NBA scoop before Woj or Shams.Speculation time:
2 Heat got Covid and can’t travel?
View: https://mobile.twitter.com/bigjimmurray/status/1529229871360135168?s=10&t=W5NMmRxlqSVdk-aTYJe7bg
It seems like the lob threat for Rob Williams makes a huge difference, even if it's just 3-4 buckets a game.
I think this is right. He gets one or two opportunities early, then the defense guards it. And maybe they relax later and he gets another one late. Even if he misses the shot early on, it causes the defense to react.3 - 4 lob scores from Rob would be an outlier, I think. You convert maybe 2 in a good game and the difference is more in the stretch it puts on the defense than in actual executions.
I saw a stat that Rod Carew was like a. 800 hitter on bunts. But the real story is all the hits he got because the 3b was always in.I think this is right. He gets one or two opportunities early, then the defense guards it. And maybe they relax later and he gets another one late. Even if he misses the shot early on, it causes the defense to react.
It’s also an incredible safety valve (or “break class in case of emergency”) in general but especially against the Heat.I saw a stat that Rod Carew was like a. 800 hitter on bunts. But the real story is all the hits he got because the 3b was always in.
Rob is that good. You have to guard the lob, so the defence changes
Exactly. This has been Gobert’s value on the offensive end for years.I saw a stat that Rod Carew was like a. 800 hitter on bunts. But the real story is all the hits he got because the 3b was always in.
Rob is that good. You have to guard the lob, so the defence changes
I root for the Brandon Phillipses on all sport teams.
This deserves some love.So, if this exchange had happened at the press conference after Game 4, it would have been accurate?
"I shot." - The Sheriff
"I did not shoot." - The Deputy
But sometimes a lob to Rob yields a basket without a dunk. The lob from Al in G4 was not a great pass and converting it was really a thing of beauty. Rob has pretty incredible touch on those balls.3 - 4 lob scores from Rob would be an outlier, I think. You convert maybe 2 in a good game and the difference is more in the stretch it puts on the defense than in actual executions.
He had 160 dunks in 60 games this year, a lot of those are on putbacks or dropoffs. So I think my estimate makes sense.
Yes, but I'd prefer passes that allow him to land on two legs at this point. Maybe tell him to let the high passes go...But sometimes a lob to Rob yields a basket without a dunk. The lob from Al in G4 was not a great pass and converting it was really a thing of beauty. Rob has pretty incredible touch on those balls.
If the C's have a glass jaw, how do you describe the Heat? They just gave up entirely last game.Key questions today:
1. Who is healthy? Smart and Rob are questionable for Boston, Butler, Herro, Lowry all playing through things for Miami. Which team is being ground down in this series of attrition?
2. Can the Celtics protect the ball? If they turn it over repeatedly as in game 3, they probably lose.
3. Can the Celtics limit Miami's transition offense? Part of this is limiting live-ball turnovers; another part of it is just getting back on D, after both makes and misses.
4. Can Miami crack open Boston's heretofore excellent halfcourt defense? Obviously this gets eaiser for Miami if Boston is undermandded and especially without Rob. Zach Lowe in his column today noted that Boston switched to drop coverage on pick and rolls involving Bam or Tucker and noted some ways Miami could try to exploit that.
5. I stand by my "glass jaw" comment about the Celtics. When Miami connects with a (metaphorical) punch, it takes the Celtics time to regroup. Miami oed a lot of its success to two big quarters (Q3 Game 1; Q1 Game 3). Miami will surely try to connext on on tonight - will they? If they do, ho long will it take the Celtics to regroup?
I think the Celtics are the better team and the outcome of this game will be more in their control. Protect the ball, get back on D, and take the punch, and the Celtics win. Of course, just because it is in their control doesn't mean they will do it.
Miami, for its part, needs to solve the Boston halfcourt defense if it cannot run.
Of course, personnel will ne a huge issue - both who is available and who is healthy enough to play well.
Interesting question. They did.If the C's have a glass jaw, how do you describe the Heat? They just gave up entirely last game.
Honestly, I think Udoka needs to wear the blame for some of this. He’s been mostly good this postseason, but seems to have gotten off easy for the bad parts.5. I stand by my "glass jaw" comment about the Celtics. When Miami connects with a (metaphorical) punch, it takes the Celtics time to regroup. Miami oed a lot of its success to two big quarters (Q3 Game 1; Q1 Game 3). Miami will surely try to connext on on tonight - will they? If they do, ho long will it take the Celtics to regroup?