Celtics (35-13) at Heat (26-22) Game #49 1/24/23

[ozgod]

So we were missing three starters and our best bench player, and lost by 2 points and people are freaking out and saying we are not a true contender?

I think they're mad about how we lost more so than the fact that we lost 

[angryguy77]

So we were missing three starters and our best bench player, and lost by 2 points and people are freaking out and saying we are not a true contender?

Between the Raptors end of game meltdown and this one, what does Joe do in those situations that gives you confidence?
I could.stander there look confused while chewing gum for half the salary. I know how to say "Go play" so that's basically Joe's job right there.

[boscel33]

So we were missing three starters and our best bench player, and lost by 2 points and people are freaking out and saying we are not a true contender?

I think everyone is just a little antsy with some injuries mounting....

JB - Adductor
JT - Wrist/Oblique
RWill - Knee
Malcolm - Personal
Dano - ACL
Al - Back soreness
Smart - Ankle

[Phantom255x]

My main concern from yesterday's loss isn't the loss itself really (we were missing a ton of guys). But more so, the way Mazzulla seems to manage these late-game situations. And also, when another team goes on a 20-2 run, he just lets it happen and doesn't use timeouts, which ultimately go to waste at the end.

Imagine how that could cost us in the later rounds of the playoffs against better opposition. Like what if we face MIL, have a 10-point lead late in Game 5 of a 2-2 series, but then MIL goes on a 15-0 run with us not calling timeout in that stretch to "figure it out" according to Mazzulla.

All it takes is blowing 1 or 2 games like that

I really hope this philosophy he has doesn't go into the postseason and it's primarily for the regular season

[Celtics4ever]

 Mazulla is concerning at times and it is a pattern on time out management.   I heard Tatum say they did not call one as to not let their defense get set, this only works if your offense gets  set.  Joe is a work in progress, folks.  He is not doing poorly overall but game management this is an area he can improve on.

We missed a lot of key pieces though this game and although they were missing Butler if he had Marcus, Brogdon and Smart this would not have been a close game.   There is a big drop off from their replacements despite the claims of some on this board.   They were missed.

Hopefully, this is learning lesson for Tatum.  Both Brown and himself needs to do better under pressure.   GS figured this out in the finals and although those guy have all the talent in the world and are great players they sometimes falter if trapped or become very predictable.