And I am selfishly hoping they win when I am in the house for Game 4. Was there for Game 6 in 2008 so it only feels fitting. Hope you're listening, basketball gods!
5 is probably right but if they take Game 3 I think they are probably going to be the 10th team to do it. There have been only 9 sweeps in finals history for a reason. It shouldn't be easy.
Agreed. No outcome would really surprise me in game 3...but if celts win id be a bit surprised if they then lost game 4.
That's my most likely scenario: we lose 3 and win 4/5.
I was just thinking they'd split on the road because it's the finals and a sweep would be too easy, there's usually some adversity along the road because there's a lot to play for. But when pressed to think which game the Celtics lose, I guess it would have to be game 3 because Dallas does seem like the type of team that will lay down if down 3-0.
I voted 5 as I think DAL lost the shooting variance game so BOS will win G3 comfortably and then Luka will be done for the series but DAL will win G4 as some rando will go off; DAL's defense will be improved; and BOS will let up.
I don't see this. He'd take a huge hit in the realm of public opinion. Easier to just go out there and half-ass it for a few quarters. He clearly loves shooting and hates playing defense, so why stop at three games (unless he's really direly injured).
Gotta play up the injured angle.
Don't have a prediction on which game, but I'd guess that Dallas has one night of punching above their weight class in them. While teams that are ahead in seven-game series can have a night when they (inadvertently) ease up a little. Put those two together, and like the Miami and Cleveland series, I'd guess the Mavs take one from us before it's all said and done.
Neither. I think it’s more likely than not they lose 1 of the next 2 in Dallas. I don’t think there’s a particularly meaningful difference in the probable outcome of either game as against the other. In other words, I think the Celtics are like 65% favorites in both games and that the probabilities are mostly independent.
I can see where you're coming from here, but I have the feeling that this group will really lock in once they are within one game of winning the whole thing finally.
Tatum at least has said how much he likes being in other crowds stadiums.. not sure if it was Cleveland or Indiana but he fed off the crowd.. I could see the young Mavs waking up at home.. but I also think this Celtics team has had their letdown game.
Kyrie showing up against the Celts has been a losing bet for a while now. He hasn't hit 30 in his last 10 games, I believe, shooting under 40% in that stretch.
Isn't his image better if he doesn't play in G4 after "willing himself" through injuries to play the first 3 games?
I'm stunned, too. Partly it has been about a green OKC team that really should have traded for the stud power forward they need. And partly about an injured Clippers team. But was genuinely surprised they beat the T wolves. Unfortunately was traveling overseas during that series so didn't see it and wasn't really paying attention to commentaries on the games, either. I guess I need to go back and try to find out more about how that series went down. But, point being, also surprised they made it through. Granted the West is very good in depth but without a dominant team like the Celts in the East. That said -- the Mavs are just a very good team, but not a particularly scary one.
I think all of Dallas's opponents got badly outcoached. Minnesota, in particular, did absolutely nothing to target Luka on the defensive side of the ball. Ant and KAT hogged the ball and their other wings sat around and did squat. Not that they have anything like the Jays, but they could have done a lot better at least making Luka work and tiring him out.
