2023-24 NBA (Playoffs!) Thread: Mavs - Boston it is (19 Viewers)

[Anarchy99]

Not a mention of any defense

That's where analytics loses me

In what I posted, defense had nothing to do with it. But since you brought it up, Boston was 3rd in defensive net rating in the regular season and ranked 2nd in rebounds and 1st in blocks. They are #1 in the playoffs in net rating and #3 in defensive rating in the playoffs (but played a bunch of tomato cans). They've allowed under 100 points 7 times in the postseason so far. But since they played inferior teams with major injuries, none of that really matters (apparently). They've been on cruise control for months, and a lot of people conclude from that they aren't battle tested and will wilt against whomever comes out of the west.

 

[Jayrod]

For those that are pretty insistent that the Celtics have no chance against the Nuggets (if those are the teams that end up in the finals), Boston has won this season by making three pointers in volume. They are now 58-9 (.866) when they make 15 of them (73% of their games) and 14-11 when they don't. The Nuggets are 6-9 when they allow 15 three points and 58-19 when they don't. Boston fell 1 three pointer short of 15 in the first game against Denver (when the Nuggets won by 2 points). The second game Boston only made 11 threes (and the game was still a one possession game in the final minute). Yeah, I get it, Joker is insane, Murray can be clutch, the Nuggets turned the switch on lately, while Boston has mostly been sleepwalking. But the math is the math . . . if the numbers hold, Boston would have 5 games with 15 made threes in a 7-game series. I get it, analytics don't always play out the same, and a calculator has never won a playoff game. I just find it interesting that there's a long list of people that have suggested Boston would lose to any team that comes out of the West.

Not a mention of any defense

That's where analytics loses me

Their defense is as streaky as their shooting. Last night, it didn't show up until the 4th when they decided they wanted to finish the game off.

Their defense will make me more nervous in the next round because Indy can blow you out in a hurry if you sleepwalk for half the game or Brunson can be unstoppable in the 4th qtr of a tight game.

 

[identikit]

Not a mention of any defense

That's where analytics loses me

In what I posted, defense had nothing to do with it. But since you brought it up, Boston was 3rd in defensive net rating in the regular season and ranked 2nd in rebounds and 1st in blocks. They are #1 in the playoffs in net rating and #3 in defensive rating in the playoffs (but played a bunch of tomato cans). They've allowed under 100 points 7 times in the postseason so far. But since they played inferior teams with major injuries, none of that really matters (apparently). They've been on cruise control for months, and a lot of people conclude from that they aren't battle tested and will wilt against whomever comes out of the west.

Defense has everything to do with winning and losing

 

[identikit]

For those that are pretty insistent that the Celtics have no chance against the Nuggets (if those are the teams that end up in the finals), Boston has won this season by making three pointers in volume. They are now 58-9 (.866) when they make 15 of them (73% of their games) and 14-11 when they don't. The Nuggets are 6-9 when they allow 15 three points and 58-19 when they don't. Boston fell 1 three pointer short of 15 in the first game against Denver (when the Nuggets won by 2 points). The second game Boston only made 11 threes (and the game was still a one possession game in the final minute). Yeah, I get it, Joker is insane, Murray can be clutch, the Nuggets turned the switch on lately, while Boston has mostly been sleepwalking. But the math is the math . . . if the numbers hold, Boston would have 5 games with 15 made threes in a 7-game series. I get it, analytics don't always play out the same, and a calculator has never won a playoff game. I just find it interesting that there's a long list of people that have suggested Boston would lose to any team that comes out of the West.

Not a mention of any defense

That's where analytics loses me

Their defense is as streaky as their shooting. Last night, it didn't show up until the 4th when they decided they wanted to finish the game off.

Their defense will make me more nervous in the next round because Indy can blow you out in a hurry if you sleepwalk for half the game or Brunson can be unstoppable in the 4th qtr of a tight game.

Defense shouldn't really be streaky

Takes concerted, consistent effort

Shooting, yes

 

[Anarchy99]

Their defense is as streaky as their shooting. Last night, it didn't show up until the 4th when they decided they wanted to finish the game off.

Their defense will make me more nervous in the next round because Indy can blow you out in a hurry if you sleepwalk for half the game or Brunson can be unstoppable in the 4th qtr of a tight game.

Boston has mostly been going through the motions so far. Call it what you want . . . playing down to their competition, playing with their food, doing just enough to win, letting up too often, etc. As I said, for months now, they've been sleepwalking and saving up their health and energy. I have my doubts they can collectively put forth 48 minutes of hard-nosed effort in a game like the Knicks, but they have been able to step on the gas to still win when they need to. Of course, their issue on several occasions has been giving some top effort for a half or a quarter and then turning off the switch. That's always a concern. We'll have to wait and see if this group is different in keeping focused and motivated for an entire game when it counts the most. Sad, but true.

 

[Anarchy99]

Defense shouldn't really be streaky

Shooting, yes

At what point is shooting not streaky and more of a strategy? Boston and Mazzulla have pointed out many times that they try to win a math battle. High volume three point makes will win games the huge majority of the time. If a team hunts three-point shots (ie, takes more threes than twos, moves the ball, and gets good spacing, even a great defensive team will struggle to be able to guard that and stay competitive when a team is making shots. That's where the league is these days. Not saying that defense doesn't matter at all, only that a team with 5 competent three-point shooters on the floor is tough to defend. Obviously, the team making threes needs to play adequate defense, but there really isn't a good counter to teams making a lot of three-pointers.

 

[identikit]

Defense shouldn't really be streaky

Shooting, yes

At what point is shooting not streaky and more of a strategy? Boston and Mazzulla have pointed out many times that they try to win a math battle. High volume three point makes will win games the huge majority of the time. If a team hunts three-point shots (ie, takes more threes than twos, moves the ball, and gets good spacing, even a great defensive team will struggle to be able to guard that and stay competitive when a team is making shots. That's where the league is these days. Not saying that defense doesn't matter at all, only that a team with 5 competent three-point shooters on the floor is tough to defend. Obviously, the team making threes needs to play adequate defense, but there really isn't a good counter to teams making a lot of three-pointers.

We'll see how far Second Row Joe's strategies gets them

So far, only so far. Even before Joe

If they win it all, congrats

 

[identikit]

Defense shouldn't really be streaky

Shooting, yes

At what point is shooting not streaky and more of a strategy? Boston and Mazzulla have pointed out many times that they try to win a math battle. High volume three point makes will win games the huge majority of the time. If a team hunts three-point shots (ie, takes more threes than twos, moves the ball, and gets good spacing, even a great defensive team will struggle to be able to guard that and stay competitive when a team is making shots. That's where the league is these days. Not saying that defense doesn't matter at all, only that a team with 5 competent three-point shooters on the floor is tough to defend. Obviously, the team making threes needs to play adequate defense, but there really isn't a good counter to teams making a lot of three-pointers.

Also, other teams playing consistent and better defense, can shoot 3s well too

 

[Jayrod]

With Porzingis guarding the rim and Horford playing the 6th man off the bench, Boston is a top tier defense. All it usually boils down to is their focus, effort and execution and they can make things very, very tough for their opponents.

You all know they still have Jrue Holiday & Derrick White, right? All they need is effort and focus from Tatum and Brown and then Porzingis' rim protection and their defense is championship caliber. Their offense is similarly conceptually to the Warriors in their heyday and their top 8 shoot better than GSW's championship top 8.

Not sure why their offense is a question and their defense isn't really either. I believe they are at least adequate defensively vs Denver and are better offensively than Minnesota. It seems like that may be our collision course unless Minny turns it around, Dallas crashes the party or the Celtics implode (all are quite possible).

 

[identikit]

With Porzingis guarding the rim and Horford playing the 6th man off the bench, Boston is a top tier defense. All it usually boils down to is their focus, effort and execution and they can make things very, very tough for their opponents.

You all know they still have Jrue Holiday & Derrick White, right? All they need is effort and focus from Tatum and Brown and then Porzingis' rim protection and their defense is championship caliber. Their offense is similarly conceptually to the Warriors in their heyday and their top 8 shoot better than GSW's championship top 8.

Not sure why their offense is a question and their defense isn't really either. I believe they are at least adequate defensively vs Denver and are better offensively than Minnesota. It seems like that may be our collision course unless Minny turns it around, Dallas crashes the party or the Celtics implode (all are quite possible).

All they need is effort and focus from Tatum and Brown

That might be a big 'all'

Seems like Brown is closest, albeit his ball handling

 

[the moops]

For those that are pretty insistent that the Celtics have no chance against the Nuggets (if those are the teams that end up in the finals), Boston has won this season by making three pointers in volume. They are now 58-9 (.866) when they make 15 of them (73% of their games) and 14-11 when they don't. The Nuggets are 6-9 when they allow 15 three points and 58-19 when they don't. Boston fell 1 three pointer short of 15 in the first game against Denver (when the Nuggets won by 2 points). The second game Boston only made 11 threes (and the game was still a one possession game in the final minute). Yeah, I get it, Joker is insane, Murray can be clutch, the Nuggets turned the switch on lately, while Boston has mostly been sleepwalking. But the math is the math . . . if the numbers hold, Boston would have 5 games with 15 made threes in a 7-game series. I get it, analytics don't always play out the same, and a calculator has never won a playoff game. I just find it interesting that there's a long list of people that have suggested Boston would lose to any team that comes out of the West.

Not a mention of any defense

That's where analytics loses me

Their defense is as streaky as their shooting. Last night, it didn't show up until the 4th when they decided they wanted to finish the game off.

Their defense will make me more nervous in the next round because Indy can blow you out in a hurry if you sleepwalk for half the game or Brunson can be unstoppable in the 4th qtr of a tight game.

Disagree. It took ****ing Marcus Morris having the shooting night of his life to keep CLE in the game. Dude was 10/13 and 5/6 from three. And they weren't these catch and shoot wide open shots either. Take a typical Marcus Morris shooting night and Boston has a comfortable lead all night

 

[the moops]

Defense has everything to do with winning and losing

Well it has half to do with it. And even if you disagree with that, Boston has given up the fewest points per game of any remaining playoff team.

 

[identikit]

Defense has everything to do with winning and losing

Well it has half to do with it. And even if you disagree with that, Boston has given up the fewest points per game of any remaining playoff team.

Weak East maybe?

 

[the moops]

Defense has everything to do with winning and losing

Well it has half to do with it. And even if you disagree with that, Boston has given up the fewest points per game of any remaining playoff team.

Weak East maybe?

That's part of it, for sure. But their regular season defense was top notch, and they have been a top 5 defense for like 4 straight years

 

[msudaisy26]

For those that are pretty insistent that the Celtics have no chance against the Nuggets (if those are the teams that end up in the finals), Boston has won this season by making three pointers in volume. They are now 58-9 (.866) when they make 15 of them (73% of their games) and 14-11 when they don't. The Nuggets are 6-9 when they allow 15 three points and 58-19 when they don't. Boston fell 1 three pointer short of 15 in the first game against Denver (when the Nuggets won by 2 points). The second game Boston only made 11 threes (and the game was still a one possession game in the final minute). Yeah, I get it, Joker is insane, Murray can be clutch, the Nuggets turned the switch on lately, while Boston has mostly been sleepwalking. But the math is the math . . . if the numbers hold, Boston would have 5 games with 15 made threes in a 7-game series. I get it, analytics don't always play out the same, and a calculator has never won a playoff game. I just find it interesting that there's a long list of people that have suggested Boston would lose to any team that comes out of the West.

Not a mention of any defense

That's where analytics loses me

Their defense is as streaky as their shooting. Last night, it didn't show up until the 4th when they decided they wanted to finish the game off.

Their defense will make me more nervous in the next round because Indy can blow you out in a hurry if you sleepwalk for half the game or Brunson can be unstoppable in the 4th qtr of a tight game.

Defense shouldn't really be streaky

Takes concerted, consistent effort

Shooting, yes

But chicks dig the 3 pointer.

 

[Deamon]

REALLY hoping Minny can pull it off tonight. I'm actually flying to Serbia tonight (for some reason it didn't click that Jokic is from there until now)

If Game 7 is an early-ish game on Sunday, then I'm hoping the pubs will be packed with people watching.

Anyone have a guess at what time that game would be? I'll be 6 hours ahead of EST so a night game would suck.

 

[The Gator]

REALLY hoping Minny can pull it off tonight. I'm actually flying to Serbia tonight (for some reason it didn't click that Jokic is from there until now)

If Game 7 is an early-ish game on Sunday, then I'm hoping the pubs will be packed with people watching.

Anyone have a guess at what time that game would be? I'll be 6 hours ahead of EST so a night game would suck.

That. Would. Be. Awesome.

I’d enjoy that more than being at the game

 

[Deamon]

REALLY hoping Minny can pull it off tonight. I'm actually flying to Serbia tonight (for some reason it didn't click that Jokic is from there until now)

If Game 7 is an early-ish game on Sunday, then I'm hoping the pubs will be packed with people watching.

Anyone have a guess at what time that game would be? I'll be 6 hours ahead of EST so a night game would suck.

That. Would. Be. Awesome.

I’d enjoy that more than being at the game

Ya I'm assuming they'd go nuts there for the nuggets but don't really know. Go Minny!

 

[the moops]

If Game 7 is an early-ish game on Sunday, then I'm hoping the pubs will be packed with people watching.

Looks like NYK/IND is scheduled at 330 eastern on Sunday. Wonder if they would put DEN/MIN in that slot if that game isn't needed. That would be sweet for you. If it's a 730 game that gets dicey

 

[Deamon]

If Game 7 is an early-ish game on Sunday, then I'm hoping the pubs will be packed with people watching.

Looks like NYK/IND is scheduled at 330 eastern on Sunday. Wonder if they would put DEN/MIN in that slot if that game isn't needed. That would be sweet for you. If it's a 730 game that gets dicey

Damn, so I actually have to cheer for the Knicks?

 

[identikit]

Conley available tonight

FWIW

 

[Courtjester]

So Perk and Stephen A just called the game for Minnesota. Time to bet the house on Denver.

 

[Kev4029]

So Perk and Stephen A just called the game for Minnesota. Time to bet the house on Denver.

SAS started his speech with "I don't have any credibility..." I quit listening at that point because he's right, regardless of the next thing that came out of his mouth.

 

[identikit]

The ESPN boys did note that Minny's best game by far was when Gobert didn't play

 

[Kev4029]

Murray is kinda looking Game 2-ish.

 

[Mister CIA]

Feel like I'm watching a Spurs game.

 

[ShamrockPride]

20-0 run. That's gotta be around (maybe the) playoff record.

 

[identikit]

No. Let. Up.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Micah nori should get a head coach job based solely on whatever he said in that timeout

 

[Long Ball Larry]

20-0 run. That's gotta be around (maybe the) playoff record.

I bet there have definitely been more than that. I think that the clippers got a huge run against them by the rockets in maybe 2016

 

[Kev4029]

Murray's energy really rubbed off on the rest of the team.

 

[identikit]

Wolves:

Please win this one for Little Woz

 

[Kev4029]

Edwards just thrives on good vibes.

 

[ShamrockPride]

Classic KAT foul LOL

 

[Kev4029]

A 29-5 run seems like a bad way to win a game for the Nuggets.

 

[Kev4029]

Classic KAT foul LOL

He just can't stop himself from doing dumb ****.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

20-0 run. That's gotta be around (maybe the) playoff record.

I bet there have definitely been more than that. I think that the clippers got a huge run against them by the rockets in maybe 2016

Wasn’t there a 30-0 run in a game this playoffs?

Edit: I guess not. I may be conflating UConn’s ncaa game and mavs-thunder from the regular season…

 

[Kev4029]

My ESPN online stream is trash (and has been all year), which is in such contrast to TNT's which has been reliable and fantastic all season.

 

[identikit]

Come on Minny, get tight on those boards

 

[Frostillicus]

Pretty sick of Aaron Gordon's Steph curry impersonation.

 

[PIK95]

DeAndre Jordan would be REALLY helpful in these non Joker minutes. Just sayin.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

“Minnesota-ians”

 

[PIK95]

I also would still rather have Bruce Brown out there over MPJ. Again, just sayin.

 

[Jayrod]

That turnover by Gordon with 12 seconds left was massive. If he doesn't throw that away, the Nuggets could have cut it to 15 or 14. Then Gordan and Jokic just standing there for the tip in at the buzzer. Being down 19 was a brutal turn of events after they had built some momentum right before the half.

 

[identikit]

OMG Ant

 

[PIK95]

For the first time in years, Perk has actually been on point tonight. Blind squirrel and shiz. Murray is killing Denver. Malone isn't having a great night either imo.

 

[identikit]

Ruhroh

 

[PIK95]

OMG Ant

OMG MPJ (u suxor)

 

[PIK95]

Edward's is on the ground forever. Wtf are the coaches and or dr?

 

[Mister CIA]

A stinger, maybe?

Edit: and a bruise.