Celtics (25-16) at Magic (17-24) Game #42 1/12/19

[keevsnick]

Nice Jaylen.

So -- a question:  Who among us is beginning to get comfortable with Smart shooting the 3?   I still cringe, but I have to admit the feel is shifting.

I am, oddly....

Ya the three I'm getting fine with. Strangely its the 2 pointers i'm not comfortable with. Given that's he still not shooting over 40% overall, but is 35% from 3 I'd rather he take the threes.

He's shooting 47.5% for 2 pointers.  He just takes more threes.

And 47.5% for twos is not a good number. That means expected points per two pointer is .95, while its 1.05 per three pointer at 35%. And that's my point. Although to be fair that's true of almost every NBA layer who is even an average three point shooter.

[SHAQATTACK]

Lefty hook by Kyrie.  Pretty sure there is nothing he can't do.

Who can guard him?

Jimmy Butler can't guard him.

He's pretty much unstoppable.

Hard to believe people would trade him and keep Rozier .smh

[nickagneta]

Time Lord too aggressive. Brad tried bringing him in early but recognized quickly it wasn’t working vs Gordon and pulled him.

It was more likely the 2 personal fouls he picked up in about 45 seconds that got him pulled. Hope that means Stevens pulled him because he didn't want him accruing a ton of PFs early because he plans to use him later in the second half

[keevsnick]

Just catching up to the live feed.

Looking good thus far! Much more energy all around tonight. Good to see Brown playing better again, too.

It seems pretty clear that Smart worked on both his shot and his handle this summer, likely with Kyrie. Funny that that improvement happened AFTER he got his big contract lol

Its very strange. four years of almost no improvement shooting the 3 (his best seaosn was .335 his rokie year), and now this. Of course it may still come back down to earth, but it looks good.

[10610786d]

Starters and Brown the diff.

Gordon got a couple good drives too. Our best players are rounding into form.

[PAOBoston]

Horford with a pulse. Finally.

[SCeltic34]

I'd love to see more of those pick and pops with Horford where he gets a FT-ranged shot.  He's made a living on that.  And it's still a great shot even in this 3-point happy league.

[10610786d]

I'd love to see more of those pick and pops with Horford where he gets a FT-ranged shot.  He's made a living on that.  And it's still a great shot even in this 3-point happy league.

Was gonna say. The team might be better peppering in some long 2's rather than try and drive. All our best players are good-to-great mid range shooters.

[Neurotic Guy]

Sometimes this Celtics team looks terrifying offensively.  Weapon after weapon.  And weapons sitting on the bench.   And then....

[10610786d]

Lefty hook by Kyrie.  Pretty sure there is nothing he can't do.

Who can guard him?

Jimmy Butler can't guard him.

He's pretty much unstoppable.

Hard to believe people would trade him and keep Rozier .smh

Because Kyrie "doesn't move the ball around enough".

But when he can shoot 90% FG% whenever he wants, why even bother.

[10610786d]

We miss Aaron Baynes bad. All our losses have been because of our lack of bigs.

Edit: recently anyway*

[PAOBoston]

I just assume Morris will hit a 3 every time he shoots one

[liam]

Kyrie is right!

[SCeltic34]

Great job sharing the ball.  Hayward has been making great passes, including an assisted 3 for Morris.  Morris returns the favor on that layup.

[apc]

Brown must have a couple of really stupid TO every game!.