Capella
Footballguy
They are absolutely not beating Denver.
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2023-24 NBA (Playoffs!) Thread: Kawhi introduces playoff load management (51 Viewers)
- Thread starter Capella
- Start date
Jayrod
Footballguy
I don't understand how a team as talented as Boston lets a subpar rag-tag bunch of hacks chip away for 48 minutes and get the best of you.
Celtics have such little heart sometimes. Porzingis was an absolute no show tonight and they did what the Heat wanted too often, which was take contested 2's.
For the Heat, Adebayo got whatever he wanted, Herro made the right play all night and Caleb Martin looked like prime Klay Thompson (again).
Good grief I did not want to play this team. Thought we got a break when Butler was hurt, but I hate the look we gave tonight. Mazzulla needs to get to the drawing board.
Celtics have such little heart sometimes. Porzingis was an absolute no show tonight and they did what the Heat wanted too often, which was take contested 2's.
For the Heat, Adebayo got whatever he wanted, Herro made the right play all night and Caleb Martin looked like prime Klay Thompson (again).
Good grief I did not want to play this team. Thought we got a break when Butler was hurt, but I hate the look we gave tonight. Mazzulla needs to get to the drawing board.
trader jake
Footballguy
Respect you running off the cliff (not looking down) because you're excited about the Mavs, but the moment you really believe in Kyrie as a leader is the exact time you start to plummet back down to terra firma. Then the Acme anvil gets dropped on your head.
Kyrie's already shown what type of team leader he is many, many times already in the NBA. Believe him. Or go out like Wile E. Coyote. Beep beep!
ShamrockPride
Footballguy
Did anybody actually think Boston was going to sweep? Conference rival with a crap load of recent playoff matchups, Spo...these teams just know each other's tendencies at this point. I fully expected MIA to take 1 this series. People in here getting jumpy for no reason.
Major
Footballguy
Without Jimmy I think most expected a gentleman's sweep at the very least with the Heat maybe picking up a game at home. Stealing a game in BOS was unexpected.
Kev4029
Footballguy
I think Adebayo is something of a bugaboo for the Celtics because his defensive strengths are mostly how the Celtics want to attack offensively. And this season, Porzingis has added a real stretch element that can also be brought inside (Horford is a fine shooter but not the same level and he doesn't go inside much anymore), but Adebayo is probably the center best suited for defending him.
Alas, the sportsbooks think this was an aberration - the Celtics are opening as ~8 point favorites on the road and are still -2500 to win the series. It doesn't look like the loss even much affected their championship odds.
Kev4029
Footballguy
I would have guessed that a sweep was much more likely result than the Heat getting two wins, but one win was slightly more likely than a sweep. The Heat were (and are) huge underdogs.
modogg
Footballguy
Great bet. Was predictable, loved that they were getting 14 points tonight
modogg
Footballguy
Biggest thing for me is the Heat doing this without Jimmy. I have to think Heat losing Jimmy is one of the losses on the team that is most impactful out of the playoff teams. Might just be a morale victory for the Heat, and I think Celtics take it in 6. Luckily for the Celtics, the 2nd round should be pretty smooth sailing for Boston
Deamon
Footballguy
I'm not sure this game really mattered. Would be shocked if the Heat win another game this series.
Deamon
Footballguy
Kev4029
Footballguy
Being that Williams is out for the year, I don't think there is much debate. If healthy, the answer is obviously still Porzingis.
identikit
Footballguy
The weather was so fair there
AAABatteries
Footballguy
I’ve heard if you say his name three times in to a mirror he’ll show up at your house with a can of tuna and a RB rankings list.
AAABatteries
Footballguy
You thought it was predictable that an 8 seed that was a 14 point underdog and down their best player and also their 4th leading scorer would win by 10 on the road?
Desert_Power
Footballguy
identikit
Footballguy
What Shaq says will determine the outcome
Jayrod
Footballguy
STEADYMOBBIN 22
Footballguy
Comment section has not disappointed.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Is this a real question? Way better with KP. Timelord's entire offense was in the dunker's spot. Porzingas offers actual offense, was the most efficient post up player in the entire NBA, and has range from 30 feet. He is a total mismatch, provides much better spacing, and draws a big out of the paint. Not even close.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Without even discussing the actual game, teams that have made 23 three pointers in a game had been 131-10 (.929) prior to last night. The Heat shot 37% on 3PA this season, meaning they made 7 additional threes than their typical success rate. No team will win a game when the opponent makes that many three pointers.
the moops
Footballguy
Couper Moorhead
@CoupNBA
Miami now has four playoff games in the past two seasons with 50% shooting from three...against Boston.No other team has more than one...against anyone.
@CoupNBA
Miami now has four playoff games in the past two seasons with 50% shooting from three...against Boston.No other team has more than one...against anyone.
Instinctive
Footballguy
We'll see. By all accounts he is appropriately vocal, super hardworking, hasn't complained about who gets shots or whatever...
There's definitely an uneasy when will the other shoe drop feeling as the Mavs will get more national attention on a deep run, but he's been an absolute model citizen.
modogg
Footballguy
I thought it was predictable that an 8 seed would cover a 14.5 point spread against the Celtics.
Should I add cliff notes for all posts to help those who can't understand posts to make it easier?
modogg
Footballguy
I was considering defense in the equation too, not just offense. But good to know all are happy with KP there
Capella
Footballguy
If only Boston could have done something about that.
AAABatteries
Footballguy
Yeah - highly doubtful that Miami shoots anywhere close to that the rest of the series but what has to be somewhat concerning to Celtic fans is that most of the looks were pretty wide open. Some were contested but not a lot of them.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Williams was a good help defender and off-ball rim protector. He was not that great at guarding / denying people or defending on ball or in the post. He was usually a liability on switches and perimeter defense. He would usually cover the weakest link on the other team . . . leaving him to roam and break off to be the second defender when an opponent drove to the basket. RW was an asset getting offensive rebounds, but he wasn't a great defensive rebounder, as he often was out of position and didn't always box out. He relied on out jumping people for rebounds, not positioning.
KP has been used a lot differently. When he camps out in the paint, he is a deterrent to guys driving the line or taking short mid-range jump shots. He is so long, that he is actually good on perimeter switches and not many guys try to shoot over him. He gets a lot of defensive rebounds when he is near the basket (obviously not as many when he is guarding on the perimeter). Since he plays out on 5 out a lot, that limits his chances for offensive rebounds. He does get a couple of offensive rebounds a game for easy put backs.
Given that Rob was less involved in the offense and was used differently on defense, Williams averaged 17 rebounds per 100 possessions vs. 12 for Porzingas. RW had a 22.3 PER score in Boston and Porzingas led the team this year at 23.2. KP had 3.0 defensive win shares this season while WIliiams' best season was 3.9 (but no other season over 2.0).
KP had 30 games with 20+ points this year including 6 of 30+. In 271 career regular season and playoff games, RW has scored 20 points twice. The boost in offense gives the Celtics many more options and looks compared to Williams. Porzingas had a defensive rating of 109 this year. Williams last year was at 107.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Are you inferring that Porzingas is a defensive liability?
Williams was a good help defender and off-ball rim protector. He was not that great at guarding / denying people or defending on ball or in the post. He was usually a liability on switches and perimeter defense. He would usually cover the weakest link on the other team . . . leaving him to roam and break off to be the second defender when an opponent drove to the basket. RW was an asset getting offense rebounds, but he wasn't a great defensive rebounder, as he often was out of position and didn't always box out. He relied on out jumping people for rebounds, not positioning.
KP has been used a lot differently. When he camps out in the paint, he is a deterrent to guys driving the line or taking short mid-range jump shots. He is so long, that he is actually good on perimeter switches and not many guys try to shoot over him. He gets a lot of defensive rebounds when he is near the basket (obviously not as many when he is guarding on the perimeter). Since he plays out on 5 out a lot, that limits his chances for offensive rebounds. He does get a couple of offensive rebounds a game for easy put backs.
Given that Rob was less involved in the offense and was used differently on defense, Williams averaged 17 rebounds per 100 possessions vs. 12 for Porzingas. RW had a 22.3 PER score in Boston and Porzingas led the team this year at 23.2. KP had 3.0 defensive win shares this season while WIliiams' best season was 3.9 (but no other season over 2.0).
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McBokonon
Footballguy
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
Very satisfying to watch Boston fans head for the exits in the 4th period
Celtics lost 4-5 games at home all season?
No Jimmy Buckets and still the Heat beat them on their home court.
Lot of respect for Boston and what they have built, should roll into the Finals and legit shot at winning another title for them
Just makes it sweeter when the Heat manage to pull off a win on the road in the playoffs vs them
Miami needs to seriously reload in the off season, they have one of the best NBA coaches going right now, need to get him the elite talent again.
Celtics lost 4-5 games at home all season?
No Jimmy Buckets and still the Heat beat them on their home court.
Lot of respect for Boston and what they have built, should roll into the Finals and legit shot at winning another title for them
Just makes it sweeter when the Heat manage to pull off a win on the road in the playoffs vs them
Miami needs to seriously reload in the off season, they have one of the best NBA coaches going right now, need to get him the elite talent again.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Check out the big brain on Brett. You're a smart MFer, that's right.I believe he was “implying” it.
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
"Sub-par ragtag bunch of hacks"
-Jayrod
Talking about the Miami Heat which has had the most success over the last 4-5 years in the history of the Miami Heat except for the Big 3-era...
Just making notes buddy
jvdesigns2002
Footballguy
I was personally surprised that the Celtics lost last night. I thought the series would either be a sweep or might go 5 with the Heat winning one at home. Watching that game last night was frustrating as I found it to be a very weak defensive effort by the entire Celtics team—not just Porzingis. The Heat looked like they were just having a 3 point shooting practice with wide open three point attempts. The Heat went 23-43 from the 3 point line last night—and the worst part is that even after the Heat were hitting at a high rate in the first half—the Celtics figured out no defensive adjustments to contest those 3 point attempts in the second half. I absolutely pick them to win the series, but that was a very undisciplined defensive effort by the entire Celtics team last night imo.
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
Was more fun to quietly sip on some single barrel 112 proof whiskey than rubbing it in last night
7 game Series, could easily go Boston 3-1 after the Miami trip, the Heat not very good at home this season, maybe the Playoffs will amp the fan base up.
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
It's like the Heat decided to make Porzingas beat them last night
Porzingas vs Tyler Herro, huge height advantage by Porzingas on those short turnaround jumpers, he couldn't execute the same way he has most of the season, Playoffs are a *****!
-Miami also decided they would not allow Boston to beat them from 3-pt line the same way they did in Game 1, all in all for Miami to get a split up in Boston, as bad as Game 1 felt...
the moops
Footballguy
Yes, they could have played better defense, obviously. But MIA shot 65% on open threes last night. They shot 41% on open threes for the year
jvdesigns2002
Footballguy
Yeah—but there is no excuse for the Heat to have that many open 3’s. They were without their best player and the Celtics have a lot of defensive talent. If a team is hitting contested 3’s at a better clip than their season average—you can just tip your cap. The Celtics failure last night was allowing them to shoot so many open threes. There was no excuse for that. Often times open 3’s are a result of offensive rebounds or fast breaks. Last night—the Heat had a total of 4 offensive rebounds and 9 points off of turnovers (7 total fast break points). This means that the Heat were predominately getting wide open 3’s when the Celtics defense was set. This just screams of a poor effort on the defensive end as a team.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
For people that don't watch Boston all the time, they give up a lot of three-point attempts and most of the time encourage them. That's how they play. They often get long rebounds, are then off to the races, and either get easy points at the rim or kick outs for wide open threes. Many times, that's how they go on 20-3 runs.
What I didn't like last night is how the Heat defended them. Miami started to double guys way past the 3P line, and rather than defend a player, they defended passing lanes. That led to multiple bad passes / steals / turnovers. They didn't really turn into point for Miami, but they prevented Boston from catching up. In the second half, the Celtics got a lot of shots close to the rim and missed and didn't get rebounds.
I agree with Mazzulla's post-game comments that you are in trouble when a team is shooting 55% from three and you are shooting 45% overall with a lot more two-point attempts. Simple math confirms that. Joe said the answer was to play better and more efficiently on offense. My concern was they usually get a lot of open looks on threes by driving and kicking. Miami gave up easy two-point shots and took away the kicks for three pointers. That essentially took Holiday, Horford, Hauser, and Prichard out of the game.
As for Porzingas, he had a defensive rating of 108. The other Boston starters were in the 120s (and that was better than 4 of the 5 Heat starters). He didn't do much offensively and had one of his worst game scores on the season. Same thing with Holiday. Those two had two of their worst games on the season and Prichard didn't score in 20 minutes of playing time. That's almost 90 minutes of game time between them at extreme negative productivity.
A win is a win for MIA (or a loss is a loss for BOS), and the simple assessment is the Heat are unlikely to make that many threes again and multiple Boston players are unlikely to do close to nothing again. The Celtics need to have more intensity, be more committed defensively, and not be as sloppy. They didn't have a ton of turnovers, but they all came at bad times.
What I didn't like last night is how the Heat defended them. Miami started to double guys way past the 3P line, and rather than defend a player, they defended passing lanes. That led to multiple bad passes / steals / turnovers. They didn't really turn into point for Miami, but they prevented Boston from catching up. In the second half, the Celtics got a lot of shots close to the rim and missed and didn't get rebounds.
I agree with Mazzulla's post-game comments that you are in trouble when a team is shooting 55% from three and you are shooting 45% overall with a lot more two-point attempts. Simple math confirms that. Joe said the answer was to play better and more efficiently on offense. My concern was they usually get a lot of open looks on threes by driving and kicking. Miami gave up easy two-point shots and took away the kicks for three pointers. That essentially took Holiday, Horford, Hauser, and Prichard out of the game.
As for Porzingas, he had a defensive rating of 108. The other Boston starters were in the 120s (and that was better than 4 of the 5 Heat starters). He didn't do much offensively and had one of his worst game scores on the season. Same thing with Holiday. Those two had two of their worst games on the season and Prichard didn't score in 20 minutes of playing time. That's almost 90 minutes of game time between them at extreme negative productivity.
A win is a win for MIA (or a loss is a loss for BOS), and the simple assessment is the Heat are unlikely to make that many threes again and multiple Boston players are unlikely to do close to nothing again. The Celtics need to have more intensity, be more committed defensively, and not be as sloppy. They didn't have a ton of turnovers, but they all came at bad times.
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Credit to him, he’s picked a good time to keep his antisemitic views to himself.
Instinctive
Footballguy
And the flat earth stuff. And the cryptic attempts to be LeBron. And the native american rituals. Like I said - it's amazing. Something unexpected and for which I was vehemently opposed to bringing him to Dallas because of.
msudaisy26
Footballguy
Except that isn't what Shaq predicted.
the moops
Footballguy
Sixers
msudaisy26
Footballguy
Philly. Brunson hasn't been great and they are desperate. If they play a good game and not complain to much they should win easily.
Orlando is Cleveland from a couple years ago. They just need to learn to win in the playoffs and Denver is just to good, the Lakers might win tonight, but there isn't anyways they win 4 out of 5 against Denver unless there is a major injury.
Long Ball Larry
Footballguy
to be fair, modogg presumably did infer it first, if he was implying it.
STEADYMOBBIN 22
Footballguy
You should be a sports columnist if you’re not already.
