How worried are you about Celtics closing this out?

[lars10]

I picked other, because in the deepest sense, I don't like the NBA anymore.

But I do still love the Boston Celtics.

If they were to botch this, I would consider it the worst choke in sports history, easily eclipsing the 2003 Yankees. That said, I don't think they will. Ball rarely lies for more than a game or 2 in the NBA, and the Celtics are a better team.

My thinking is.. if they lose this it's probably because the officiating was wholly one sided for several games to an extent to which I'd stop watching the NBA. I've watched more NBA basketball because of this team and this run and despite the last five quarters I really don't think the Mavs are superior to all of the Celts opponents this year..which should mean they're not able to win three in a row let alone four.

Edit: also there's a reason why no team has ever swept both the ECF and Finals... winning that many games in a row in the playoffs is extremely difficult.

 

[patinorange]

A little concerned. The last five quarters were horrible on both ends of the floor. And Luka is not going to stay at .25 % from three. They should wrap it up Monday. But if they don’t, I see a game 7.

 

[Foxy42]

The Florida Panthers were up 3-0 going into game four tonight. They lost 8-1. That’s significantly more extreme than a 38 point loss in basketball.

Yet since I am not emotionally invested in that series, I can see it for what it is and have no doubt that Florida wins the series.

C’s will win one of the next three. Likely game 5.

 

[riboflav]

The Florida Panthers were up 3-0 going into game four tonight. They lost 8-1. That’s significantly more extreme than a 38 point loss in basketball.

Yet since I am not emotionally invested in that series, I can see it for what it is and have no doubt that Florida wins the series.

C’s will win one of the next three. Likely game 5.

I’ve had this perspective all day. From the outside, I would see this as a giant nothingburger. Unfortunately, the coach in me sees all the problems.

 

[Reverend]

Nearly full faith this gets done tomorrow and I'm not too shook about last night.

I definitely do not share your faith.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

I definitely do not share your faith.

Panic is not a rational response. I'm with @Reverend

 

[NomarsFool]

It’s an embarrassing loss, but I think also the NBA today is not the NBA of decades ago, that is huge blowouts are just more common in this three point era than they were in the 80s and 90s. I don’t like all the takes on no effort - basketball is a grueling sport and at this level, if you are only giving 99% effort, you will get smoked. And giving 99% effort is perfectly reasonable once the game was essentially over in the first half.

 

[jsinger121]

It’s an embarrassing loss, but I think also the NBA today is not the NBA of decades ago, that is huge blowouts are just more common in this three point era than they were in the 80s and 90s. I don’t like all the takes on no effort - basketball is a grueling sport and at this level, if you are only giving 99% effort, you will get smoked. And giving 99% effort is perfectly reasonable once the game was essentially over in the first half.

Absolutely agree huge blowouts are more common today and i will say everyone thought the Lakers after blowing out Boston in Game 3 in 1984 that they were winning the series and everyone thought after Boston blew out Los Angeles in game 1 in 1985 they were winning the series. One game means nothing. It’s a loss especially in this NBA today where every team chucking up 3 point attempts. In game 4 Boston had 41 attempts while Dallas had 37. The big difference was Dallas killed them on the glass which lead to transition points and Boston literally couldn’t shoot all night which led to those rebounds. You ain’t winning games shooting 36% vs your opponent at 50%. Shoot better in Game 5 and you won’t have that rebound advantage leading to transition points.

 

[nolasoxfan]

I wonder if the Sons of Aaron Ekblad are putting themselves through this same level of pain and suffering.

Edit: and what @Foxy42 said above.

 

[Leon Trotsky]

Game 4 seemed like a plane crash where its usually not just one thing that brings it down, but a confluence of several factors that on their own wouldn't have been enough to cause catastrophe. The C's had an exhale game, they missed easy shots like crazy, Mavs made defensive adjustments, and the reffing was ridiculous. Its highly unlikely those are all going to happen again all at once, so hopefully they'll complete the journey on Monday.

 

[54thMA]

The Florida Panthers were up 3-0 going into game four tonight. They lost 8-1. That’s significantly more extreme than a 38 point loss in basketball.

Yet since I am not emotionally invested in that series, I can see it for what it is and have no doubt that Florida wins the series.

C’s will win one of the next three. Likely game 5.

This is 100% where I am at; just like I can't see Florida blowing their series from an outside perspective, I can't see the Celtics blowing their series from an inside perspective.

I'm confident the Celtics coaches saw what Dallas did Friday night and are going to make adjustments to counter what they did in that game.

 

[jsinger121]

5 times Boston has been blown out by 15 or more this years. 3 times in the regular season and twice in the playoffs which includes Game 4. Every time they have been blown out they have won the following game. I like their chances in Game 5 based on how they have responded to embarrassing losses this year.

 

[Reverend]

Panic is not a rational response. I'm with @Reverend

Right? I mean, they’re not even playing tonight!!

 

[lovegtm]

Hollinger has a good (!?) article about the teams that have gotten blown out when up 3-0, 3-1 etc.

It's a list of very good teams who then closed out the series: 2022 Dubs, 1996 Bulls, 1982 Lakers, 2000 Lakers, 2017 Dubs.....there are some really good teams on the list.

As a rational person, I'm not very worried. As an emotional fan, I will be a wreck and probably unable to even watch.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5567326/2024/06/16/mavericks-celtics-game-5-preview-nba-finals/

 

[BigSoxFan]

Hollinger has a good (!?) article about the teams that have gotten blown out when up 3-0, 3-1 etc.

It's a list of very good teams who then closed out the series: 2022 Dubs, 1996 Bulls, 1982 Lakers, 2000 Lakers, 2017 Dubs.....there are some really good teams on the list.

As a rational person, I'm not very worried. As an emotional fan, I will be a wreck and probably unable to even watch.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5567326/2024/06/16/mavericks-celtics-game-5-preview-nba-finals/

Hold on for a second. Aren’t you, like, supposed to be one of the calm ones on this site? You’re our Jrue. We can’t have you on edge.

I’m the Hauser where one missed shot ruins my outlook for the rest of the game.

 

[tims4wins]

Hollinger has a good (!?) article about the teams that have gotten blown out when up 3-0, 3-1 etc.

It's a list of very good teams who then closed out the series: 2022 Dubs, 1996 Bulls, 1982 Lakers, 2000 Lakers, 2017 Dubs.....there are some really good teams on the list.

As a rational person, I'm not very worried. As an emotional fan, I will be a wreck and probably unable to even watch.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5567326/2024/06/16/mavericks-celtics-game-5-preview-nba-finals/

96 Bulls - THE 96 Bulls - lost twice in a row after going up 3-0. Both were on the road, though.

 

[lovegtm]

Hold on for a second. Aren’t you, like, supposed to be one of the calm ones on this site? You’re our Jrue. We can’t have you on edge.

I’m the Hauser where one missed shot ruins my outlook for the rest of the game.

I am anything but calm when actually watching the games, lol. That's most of the fun.

I'd put a lot of money on the Celtics to close this out, and I'd also be nearly vomiting while watching them try to do so.

 

[RorschachsMask]

I’ve watched games so peacefully this postseason lol. Maybe tomorrow night I’ll build some nerves, but it’s been an enjoyable feeling.

 

[lovegtm]

you're such a pothead lmao

 

[Norm loves Vera]

Not worrried. It's over before midnight tomorrow. They will bring it. 18.

 

[RorschachsMask]

you're such a pothead lmao

Oh yeah lol, an extremely high functioning one at that.

 

[kfoss99]

@lovegtm, I've been so nervous these whole playoffs. I haven't even been able to watch games this season, I listen to them and put on ESPN Gamecast.

I'll listen on Monday night, because it's not like I'll be able to sleep. Same for any future games.

I was sick during the 2022 Finals and playoffs, so I had bigger concerns.

This whole team feels like it's composed of little brothers. If they lose the series I'll be sad and not angry. That's a harder emotion to deal with.

 

[lovegtm]

@lovegtm, I've been so nervous these whole playoffs. I haven't even been able to watch games this season, I listen to them and put on ESPN Gamecast.

I'll listen on Monday night, because it's not like I'll be able to sleep. Same for any future games.

I was sick during the 2022 Finals and playoffs, so I had bigger concerns.

This whole team feels like it's composed of little brothers. If they lose the series I'll be sad and not angry. That's a harder emotion to deal with.

I watched the whole 2022 playoffs on delay, knowing the score beforehand, because I was so nervous.

This year, I've watched everything cold, without knowing.

Game 5 will be my first time off the wagon and back on score checking.

 

[RorschachsMask]

I watched the whole 2022 playoffs on delay, knowing the score beforehand, because I was so nervous.

This year, I've watched everything cold, without knowing.

Game 5 will be my first time off the wagon and back on score checking.

Aren’t you scared that changing it up would be risky at this point?

/trolling

 

[Foxy42]

Wrong thread

 

[lovegtm]

Aren’t you scared that changing it up would be risky at this point?

/trolling

Game 4 already broke everything, so change is needed.

 

[Light-Tower-Power]

Celtics players seem more relaxed than we are, at least on the surface. I've seen similar quotes from multiple players. Seems the message is to stay loose after playing super tight Friday.

 

[RSN Diaspora]

@lovegtm, I've been so nervous these whole playoffs. I haven't even been able to watch games this season, I listen to them and put on ESPN Gamecast.

I watched the whole 2022 playoffs on delay, knowing the score beforehand, because I was so nervous.

This year, I've watched everything cold, without knowing.

Game 5 will be my first time off the wagon and back on score checking.

This is wild to me. I can’t keep interest in watching a game when I already know the final score.

 

[kfoss99]

This is wild to me. I can’t keep interest in watching a game when I already know the final score.

I've been listening to them live. I just don't have YouTube TV or a cable package.

I think I'd like to not follow live from here to the end of the season. But, I know I'd be even worse. My mental health is pretty damn good, except for this.

None of this matters, which is so bizarre. I shouldn't care so much about strangers. Maybe this is how a lot of Pacers' fans felt about Miller. Or, Jazz fans about Stockton and Malone.

I so very much want a championship for Tatum and Brown, so they aren't forever compared to those guys and Barkley. Again, why does that matter to me?

 

[RorschachsMask]

Game 4 already broke everything, so change is needed.

I’ve taken my Ativan before a couple games.

I’m a fraud.

 

[lovegtm]

I've been listening to them live. I just don't have YouTube TV or a cable package.

I think I'd like to not follow live from here to the end of the season. But, I know I'd be even worse. My mental health is pretty damn good, except for this.

None of this matters, which is so bizarre. I shouldn't care so much about strangers. Maybe this is how a lot of Pacers' fans felt about Miller. Or, Jazz fans about Stockton and Malone.

I so very much want a championship for Tatum and Brown, so they aren't forever compared to those guys and Barkley. Again, why does that matter to me?

I think the answer is that I make it matter to myself because I want it to matter.

I've lost interest in some other sports over time, and I wouldn't care now whether those teams won a title or not.

I decided to invest in this team at the beginning of the Tatum/Brown run, and it has been a fun ride. I want to keep caring, so I care.

 

[mwonow]

Changed my vote to not at all. Cs win running away tomorrow.

 

[RorschachsMask]

Changed my vote to not at all. Cs win running away tomorrow.

Welcome.

 

[bosockboy]

Thank the Sox for getting the vibe train rolling tonight.

 

[Ed Hillel]

I think the answer is that I make it matter to myself because I want it to matter.

I've lost interest in some other sports over time, and I wouldn't care now whether those teams won a title or not.

I decided to invest in this team at the beginning of the Tatum/Brown run, and it has been a fun ride. I want to keep caring, so I care.

I take games off myself. If we lose tomorrow, I’ll be at Game 7 if it happens, but won’t watch Game 6 live. Of course, distraction is only semi-effective, because I mean we all know what’s happening at the time lol. I usually throw in Skyrim because I can still get lost in it and kill hours easily enough.

At this point in the season, it’s very rough because I’m also a hockey fan and there’s only so much energy I have over a 6-8 week span. We’re 15-3 and I’m on fumes. Imagine if this had actually been difficult up to this point!

With this team, I feel one championship will make the future a hell of a lot easier, though. So here’s hoping!

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

With this team, I feel one championship will make the future a hell of a lot easier, though. So here’s hoping!

I really believe this. For them, for us, for all.

 

[BigSoxFan]

I take games off myself. If we lose tomorrow, I’ll be at Game 7 if it happens, but won’t watch Game 6 live. Of course, distraction is only semi-effective, because I mean we all know what’s happening at the time lol. I usually throw in Skyrim because I can still get lost in it and kill hours easily enough.

At this point in the season, it’s very rough because I’m also a hockey fan and there’s only so much energy I have over a 6-8 week span. We’re 15-3 and I’m on fumes. Imagine if this had actually been difficult up to this point!

With this team, I feel one championship will make the future a hell of a lot easier, though. So here’s hoping!

This is basically my final frontier as a sports fan, which has added to the angst. I really, really, REALLY want to see the Jays celebrate a title and for Brad and Joe to get the recognition they deserve. I’ve seen 6 Pats titles. I’m good for life, if that’s it. Ditto for Red Sox. Not a huge Bruins fan so I can understand the frustration Bruins fans have given so many close calls over the past decade.

Adding to the angst is the fact that if the Celtics don’t get it done, they will have choked in historic fashion to…Kyrie Irving and Fat Luka. Like, that’s bad enough but those 2 guys…ugh.

So, let’s just get the job done tomorrow. I’m leaving for Japan on Wed for 2.5 weeks and that might be good for my health if they don’t take care of business at the Garden tomorrow night. But I’d rather spend the entire flight gorging on Celtics articles and videos.

 

[lovegtm]

I take games off myself. If we lose tomorrow, I’ll be at Game 7 if it happens, but won’t watch Game 6 live. Of course, distraction is only semi-effective, because I mean we all know what’s happening at the time lol. I usually throw in Skyrim because I can still get lost in it and kill hours easily enough.

At this point in the season, it’s very rough because I’m also a hockey fan and there’s only so much energy I have over a 6-8 week span. We’re 15-3 and I’m on fumes. Imagine if this had actually been difficult up to this point!

With this team, I feel one championship will make the future a hell of a lot easier, though. So here’s hoping!

If they win this chip, I'm ok for all playoff runs from here on out to be tough, exciting basketball, win or lose.

 

[jeremyh331]

Every playoff game except Game 2 vs. Miami and Game 4 vs. Dallas, I've taken a half time shower. The playoff C's are 11-0 when I get wet, 0-2 when I don't.

Fear not, friends. I will be showering tomorrow at the half. The champagne will be showering the locker room shortly after.

And so--it's in the bag.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Right? I mean, they’re not even playing tonight!!

Monday morning in Seoul and I'm still anxious as heck.

 

[Preacher]

Monday morning in Seoul and I'm still anxious as heck.

So they weren’t even playing this morning.

I wish I was going to be at work. My boss lets me watch games at the conference table in the middle of the office. As it is, we have some touristy shit going on tomorrow morning including a trip to some waterfall and I’m not sure what type of reception I’ll have on my phone.

 

[riboflav]

I will be pacing in our living room and I know what to look for early to tell me how worried I should be. My wife will avoid the living room. My son will check in a lot but my anxiety makes him nervous. He’s now on summer break and wants me to take him to see inside out 2 in the afternoon. I don’t want to. But I will.

 

[riboflav]

Being a dad at times like these is both very difficult and very rewarding

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

So they weren’t even playing this morning.

I wish I was going to be at work. My boss lets me watch games at the conference table in the middle of the office. As it is, we have some touristy shit going on tomorrow morning including a trip to some waterfall and I’m not sure what type of reception I’ll have on my phone.

I can't imagine somewhere deep in the waterfalls in Laos will have a 5G connection but hopefully, you'll get enough to get score updates.

Now, does that make it more or less anxious?

P. S. I haven't been able to watch any Celtics-related videos since G4. Was I this nervous before the last SB? I don't think I was.

 

[Mloaf71]

I really believe this. For them, for us, for all.

We live outside of DC and I'm working hard to keep my little guy whose 6 on the Boston sports train. Seeing Tatum lift a trophy and continuing/starting a run of ECFs and NBA Titles makes my job significantly easier!

 

[RSN Diaspora]

We live outside of DC and I'm working hard to keep my little guy whose 6 on the Boston sports train. Seeing Tatum lift a trophy and continuing/starting a run of ECFs and NBA Titles makes my job significantly easier!

We live in DC proper and I’ve already lost my eldest daughter to her mother’s Philadelphia Eagles fandom. I’ve got my youngest on the Pats train, and they ostensibly root for the Red Sox (to the limited extent they care about baseball) I haven’t even bothered with hockey since they’ve demonstrated no interest, but I’m working to get them both into the Celtics. Having a hard time competing with YouTube videos and anime, tho…

 

[mwonow]

So they weren’t even playing this morning.

I wish I was going to be at work. My boss lets me watch games at the conference table in the middle of the office. As it is, we have some touristy shit going on tomorrow morning including a trip to some waterfall and I’m not sure what type of reception I’ll have on my phone.

If it helps - in 2008, I showed up at a cottage on its own island, no wifi, no TV, just as the Game 4 comeback started.

There was a radio. And if I stood just right - with "just right" changing periodically, sometimes on one leg, sometimes pointing the radio towards one window or another - I could just about keep enough signal to follow the game.

One of the best sports "viewing" memories of my whole life.

Hope you have one just like it tonight!

 

[Reverend]

If it helps - in 2008, I showed up at a cottage on its own island, no wifi, no TV, just as the Game 4 comeback started.

There was a radio. And if I stood just right - with "just right" changing periodically, sometimes on one leg, sometimes pointing the radio towards one window or another - I could just about keep enough signal to follow the game.

One of the best sports "viewing" memories of my whole life.

Hope you have one just like it tonight!

What the hell did you do to get banished and exiled like that?

 

[Eddie Jurak]

I put more than a little concerned but not panicking yet.

The odds and the nature of playoff series' favor the Celtics. They are the better team, probably even without KP (or 100% KP). They should be expected to rebound in performance coming off a bad blowout. The series shifts back to Boston, which should favor the Celtics. The progression from game 1 through 4 favored the Mavs - Boston losing KP, the series going from Boston to Dallas. Plus, a playoff series is a game of adjustments and there is obviously greater pressure on a team that loses to make adjustments. Now is Boston's turn to adjust.

Why worry at all?

Dallas might have figured something out that Boston won't be able to counter. Boston's play has been progressively worse in each game, and prior to the game 4 blowout there were warning signs. Rebounding was a problem for the Celtics at times game 3 for example. Luke Doncic may be the best player in the series, which would give Dallas an edge. This Boston team (its core players in particular) have a track record of not always playing their best at home or when their backs are not up against the wall. A healthy KP would make a huge difference, but we do not have that. I attribute the wins in games 1 to 3 first and foremost to the excellent celtics defense, which Dallas broke wide open and destroyed in game 4. So there are some bad signs.

Still more likely than not they win tonight.

 

[m0ckduck]

It feels like tougher sledding now because both teams have worked out the yips and are optimizing their rosters, whereas for the first 2.5 games Boston enjoyed a tremendous advantage in terms of just basically being ready to play in a Finals and knowing what they wanted to do.

- Dallas clogged up their own offense in G1 by running so many P-n-Rs with Washington/Lively setting screens for Luka with Lively/Gafford under the hoop
- They generally hunted matchups with Luka too much and burnt too much clock doing so, rather than just pushing pace and straight attacking
- Lively played out of control for 2.5 games, then settled in. As Russillo mentioned on today's pod: he had 12pt and 20 rebounds (10 on the offensive glass) between second half of G3 and first half of G4.
- Dallas played 11 guys (!) in the first half of G3, now seem to be more settled on Luka, KI, Washington, Lively, Jones/Exum with a bit of Gafford and Kleber.
- Obviously, Luka giving a discernible shit on defense has been the biggest 'adjustment' — we'll see if he can keep it up.

In the end, I answered 'a little nervous' only because KP being hurt reduces our injury buffer nearly to zero. Lose one more starter and then it gets really scary. But I don't think it's possible to beat the 2023-24 Celtics four games in a row. They're basically unbeatable when shooting 40% or better from three, it hasn't happened yet and is going happen at least one time in seven games. Moreover, I don't believe the C's have suddenly lost the ability to protect the defensive glass after being stout there all season. For the record, I'm still riding with my 'lose G5, win G6' prediction.