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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 13, 2019 21:58:40 GMT -5
 at  Boston Celtics (25-17) at Brooklyn Nets (21-23)
Monday, January 14, 2019
7:30 pm ET
Game [HASH]43, Road Game [HASH]22
TV: NBCSB, YES, NBA-LP 750(DTV)/751(xfinity)
98,5 The Sports Hub, WFAN 101.9 FM
Barclays Center  Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard vs  Kyrie Irving vs D'Angelo Russell
Shooting Guard  vs  Marcus Smart vs Joe Harris Small Forward  vs  Jayson Tatum vs Treveon Graham Power Forward  vs  Marcus Morris vs Rodions Kurucs Center  vs  Al Horford vs Jarrett Allen  Celtics ReservesSemi Ojeleye Daniel Theis Brad Wanamaker Guerschon Yabusele Gordon Hayward Jaylen Brown Terry Rozier Robert Williams InjuriesJabari Bird (personal) out Aron Baynes (hand) out Kyrie Irving (quad) questionable Two Way PlayersPJ Dozier RJ Hunter
Head CoachBrad Stevens   Nets ReservesEd Davis Kenneth Faried Treveon Graham Shabazz Napier Spencer Dinwiddie DeMarre Carroll
Injuries Allen Crabbe (knee) out Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (groin) questionable Caris LeVert (foot) out Dzanan Musa (shoulder) out Jared Dudley (hamstring) out Two Way PlayersTheo Pinson Head Coach Kenny Atkinson
Game Notes The Celtics complete their 3 game road trip with a visit to the Brooklyn Nets. This is the 2nd of 4 meetings between these two teams this season. The Celtics beat the Nets 116-95 one week ago in Boston. They will meet one more time in Boston on January 28 and again in Brooklyn on March 30. The Celtics have won the last 10 games vs the Nets going back to January of 2016. The Nets have won 4 straight games at home and 8 of their last 9 games in Brooklyn. Since December 7th, the Nets have the best home record in the East with 8 wins and just one loss. Overall, the Nets are 11-11 at home while the Celtics are 10-12 on the road. Both teams are 6-4 in their last 10 games. The Celtics have lost 2 straight and would like to avoid their 3rd 3 game losing streak of the season. The Celtics are stuck in 5th place and can't seem to make up any ground on the teams ahead of them. After Saturday's loss, one of the things Kyrie said was that the Celtics can't be content to be in 5th place and they have to improve their place in the standings. They are now 6.5 games behind the Raptors and 2 games behind the Sixers. The Nets are in 7th place, 5 games behind the Celtics. In the first game between these two teams, the Celtics had been off for 2 days while the Nets were playing on the second night of back to back games. Both teams are coming into this game with one day of rest. The Celtics are coming off 2 losses while the Nets lost just one game. The Nets are just 6-13 against teams with a winning record. The Celtics will once again be without Aron Baynes who is reportedly close to returning but will miss this game. Kyrie Irving is listed as questionable with a quad contusion that he suffered on Saturday in the game against the Orlando Magic. If Kyrie can't play, I expect that Brad will start Terry Rozier at the point. The Nets will be playing short handed once again with Jared Dudley (hamstring), Dzanan Musa (shoulder), Allsn Crabbe (knee) and Caris LeVert (foot) all listed as being out. Rondae Hollis Jefferson is listed as questionable with an adductor strain. Key Matchups vs Kyrie Irving vs D'Angelo Russell D'Angelo Russell is averaging 18.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 6.3 assists on the season. Kyrie played well against Russell in their first meeting but may or may not be able to play in this game. If Kyrie can't play it will be up to Terry Rozier to keep Russell from having a big game and also to make up for Kyrie's 22.7 points and 6.4 assists. vs Marcus Smart vs Joe Harris Harris missed their last meeting with a sprained ankle but should be back in the starting lineup for this one. He is averaging 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. Smart should be able to slow Harris down while continuing to contribute his own offense to the Celtics. Honorable MentionMarcus Morris vs Rodions Kurucs Kurucs is averaging 9.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 0.7 assists. However in last Monday's game, he had 24 points and pretty much got whatever he wanted against the Celtics defense. Hopefully the Celtics can do a better job of limiting him in this game.
Keys to the Game Defense - Defense wins games. The Celtics have let their defense slip a bit in recent games. Both the Heat and the Magic seemed to be able to score at will with the Celtics a step slow on the defensive end. Their defense will be tested once again against the Nets, who are averaging 110.7 points per game. In order to win they are going to have to make defense their priority and slow down the Nets' offense. The Celtics especially need to guard the 3 point line as the Nets attempt 34 1 pointers per game and make 12.3 per game. Be Aggressive - The Celtics need to be the more aggressive team in going after loose balls, rebounds, 50/50 balls, and in going to the basket. They also have to be aggressive on defense. They have to be the team that wants it more and they have to play that way for 48 minutes. They can't let themselves play with less than 100% effort because they are playing the Nets because the Nets always play hard themselves. They have been slacking off in their effort in the past 2 losses and need to get back to being the team that works harder. . Rebound - The Celtics need the ball in order to score. They need to rebound on the offensive end to give themselves extra possessions and to keep the Nets from getting fast break points. They also need to rebound on the defensive end to keep the Nets from getting second chance points. The Celtics are averaging 45.1 rebounds per game compared to 45.4 for the Nets. Much of rebounding is in their effort and the Celtics need to give extra effort on the boards as a team in order to beat the Nets to the rebounds.
Play the Right Way - Much has been made of the bickering between teammates in the past 2 games. There was no bickering during their 4 game win streak because they were playing the right way. They were moving the ball and finding the open man, averaging 30+ assists per game. They moved away from that in their last 2 losses and regardless of the reason for it, they need to get back to playing the right way - as a team. X-Factors Road Game - The Celtics are playing in the final game of a 3 game road trip. The Celtics can't make the mistake of looking forward to being back at home. They have to focus on playing the game and playing as a team and not let the frustrations and distractions of playing on the road get in their way. Focus on Team - The Celtics have let their focus stray from playing the game as it should be played and playing as a team. They have been focusing on mistakes of their teammates and not playing their own game and making sure that they encourage each other and play as a team. If they let things divide them they will never get back on track. Play as a team - play together - play the right way. |
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 14, 2019 11:14:03 GMT -5
No Kyrie (quad) and no Smart (illness) for tonight. Going to guess that Rozier starts at point guard and Brown at shooting guard.
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Post by jmost on Jan 14, 2019 14:48:52 GMT -5
I bet the ball movement is better tonight than in the two games in FL.
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Post by jmost on Jan 14, 2019 22:34:47 GMT -5
Once again, about 6 good minutes.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 15, 2019 12:45:17 GMT -5
It seems to me that much of the problem is effort. When the team really starts to play and gives it their all we see stretches like that one where they came from 26 down and cut it to 7. Or the 4 home wins we just had. When they don't play hard we see the Heat, Magic and Nets beat them. They need to decide if they really want it and give that kind of effort all the time.
This team has the talent to win it all but they just aren't putting out the effort on a consistent basis. Is it coaching? Is it an individual player? I don't know. But I know they are capable - just will they work hard enough to do it?
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Post by eddietours on Jan 15, 2019 15:27:21 GMT -5
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
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Post by jmost on Jan 15, 2019 16:33:05 GMT -5
I remember how the Bird/McHale Celtics would coast for much of the game and then turn it on when they needed to and cruise to victory. BUT, they had BIRD and MCHALE!. This group has talent, but they're not good enough to play hard for half a quarter and win the game. No doubt Brad has told them this but it doesn't seem to sink in. Danny says he sees no need for a trade, and maybe everything looks better when we're fully healthy, but a shake-up would shock few fans at this point.
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Post by TenTwentyFour on Jan 15, 2019 17:51:49 GMT -5
I'm at a point, where I'd rather have the washed-up Avery, Crowder and Isaiah back...at least that team had plenty of heart and I couldn't fathom not watching games out of plain boredom as I did yesterday.
Speaking of washed-up....if you ask me, should have signed Perk in the off-season the moment the guy reached out to Danny. Who cares that he had zero basketball left in him...Perk's a no-bulshit veteran and above else a live link to the last and only championship roster the current Garden has seen--perhaps exactly what this mess of a locker room desperately needed this season.
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Post by Roadrunner on Jan 15, 2019 19:28:39 GMT -5
I watched the highlights (full game) today, and last night's loss was bad luck (not the best term). BRO had 2-3 very, very low percentage 3s fall. With Brad's read and react offense, everyone has the green light. I do not want everyone taking an equal percentage of shots, rather I want a pecking order. Standings, fluid as is, are interesting because a BOS/PHI matchup is a real possibility, because BOS can not seem to gain win traction past TOR/MIL/IND.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 15, 2019 20:10:26 GMT -5
I'm at a point, where I'd rather have the washed-up Avery, Crowder and Isaiah back...at least that team had plenty of heart and I couldn't fathom not watching games out of plain boredom as I did yesterday.
Speaking of washed-up....if you ask me, should have signed Perk in the off-season the moment the guy reached out to Danny. Who cares that he had zero basketball left in him...Perk's a no-bulshit veteran and above else a live link to the last and only championship roster the current Garden has seen--perhaps exactly what this mess of a locker room desperately needed this season.
I'm with you on signing Perk. He is one of the best locker room guys in the league. I remember him as a first or second year player getting on Paul Pierce for not playing hard enough and Pierce went back in and increased his effort. Perk went to a Thunder team that was constantly underperforming and they shaped up pretty quick. Perk would get these guys putting out effort and working hard as a team. They need someone just like him to pull everything together. |
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Post by jmost on Jan 15, 2019 22:12:02 GMT -5
FLCeltsFan, I didn't know you liked Perk!  |
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Post by TenTwentyFour on Jan 16, 2019 11:29:00 GMT -5
Standings, fluid as is, are interesting because a BOS/PHI matchup is a real possibility, because BOS can not seem to gain win traction past TOR/MIL/IND. In my opinion, this team (given the state it is in now) will achieve nothing in the postseason without having home court advantage at least for the first round. If we finish 5th (the most likely scenario so far), we will probably have to go through all three of Philly, Toronto and Bucks in a row, and all without home court. That is pretty much our worst case playoff scenario...and we are headed straight for it - a disaster if you ask me, considering our current problems. In all honesty, this scenario might be the toughest possible route to the finals in the entire league, one even a team like the current Warriors would have a big problem with without HC.
Now, if we decide to stop loosing to below .500 teams and go for at least the 3rd seed, our playoff picture will change drastically:
1. We will have HC at least for the first round. 2. Most likely will play an outsider team in the first round. 3. Will avoid playing at least one of the three teams mentioned above. 4. Have a chance to avoid meeting any of these teams until the ECF.
And once you get to the Conference finals, anything can happen with a bit of luck, even if our team remains a complete mess chemistry-wise. Our talent alone, can at least give us a chance in the Finals as well...al we have to do is put in a little effort here and now, when most teams do not even compete full strength, and certainly win against teams that we have no business loosing too like the last couple of losses.
The only problem is, even that little might be too much to ask of this dispassionate and perhaps selfish roster.
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Post by TenTwentyFour on Jan 16, 2019 12:01:18 GMT -5
I'm at a point, where I'd rather have the washed-up Avery, Crowder and Isaiah back...at least that team had plenty of heart and I couldn't fathom not watching games out of plain boredom as I did yesterday.
Speaking of washed-up....if you ask me, should have signed Perk in the off-season the moment the guy reached out to Danny. Who cares that he had zero basketball left in him...Perk's a no-bulshit veteran and above else a live link to the last and only championship roster the current Garden has seen--perhaps exactly what this mess of a locker room desperately needed this season.
I'm with you on signing Perk. He is one of the best locker room guys in the league. I remember him as a first or second year player getting on Paul Pierce for not playing hard enough and Pierce went back in and increased his effort. Perk went to a Thunder team that was constantly underperforming and they shaped up pretty quick. Perk would get these guys putting out effort and working hard as a team. They need someone just like him to pull everything together. Yeah, my sentiment exactly. I always thought Perk had the most influence on that team's identity behind KG, but unfortunately he rarely gets the due credit for that. When Danny traded him in 2011, the C's were basically done as a contender, however bizarre that might sound to non-Celtic fans. Note that all our internal chemistry problems with Rondo, Allen and the rest became problematic only after his departure...it was truly the beginning of the end. |
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Post by Roadrunner on Jan 16, 2019 19:38:43 GMT -5
Standings, fluid as is, are interesting because a BOS/PHI matchup is a real possibility, because BOS can not seem to gain win traction past TOR/MIL/IND. In my opinion, this team (given the state it is in now) will achieve nothing in the postseason without having home court advantage at least for the first round. If we finish 5th (the most likely scenario so far), we will probably have to go through all three of Philly, Toronto and Bucks in a row, and all without home court. That is pretty much our worst case playoff scenario...and we are headed straight for it - a disaster if you ask me, considering our current problems. In all honesty, this scenario might be the toughest possible route to the finals in the entire league, one even a team like the current Warriors would have a big problem with without HC.
Now, if we decide to stop loosing to below .500 teams and go for at least the 3rd seed, our playoff picture will change drastically: 1. We will have HC at least for the first round. 2. Most likely will play an outsider team in the first round. 3. Will avoid playing at least one of the three teams mentioned above. 4. Have a chance to avoid meeting any of these teams until the ECF.
And once you get to the Conference finals, anything can happen with a bit of luck, even if our team remains a complete mess chemistry-wise. Our talent alone, can at least give us a chance in the Finals as well...al we have to do is put in a little effort here and now, when most teams do not even compete full strength, and certainly win against teams that we have no business loosing too like the last couple of losses. The only problem is, even that little might be too much to ask of this dispassionate and perhaps selfish roster.
Good analysis. I think BOS would prevail versus PHI without the HC advantage, however I would prefer not to play the best 3 teams in the East, then the best team in the West. Does anyone think the issue with BOS is that certain players can not play at the same time together? Example - Irving and Rozier is bad duo together, because teams hunt for Irving on the switch. On the other side, Irving and Smart is a good duo because Smart can relieve Irving sometimes of PG duties. |
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Post by eddietours on Feb 8, 2019 15:35:44 GMT -5
we got the Bench
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