Celtics (41-26) at Clippers (38-29) Game #68 3/11/19

[SCeltic34]

Amazing.  Nobody picked up Lou Williams.  How does that happen?

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Honest question: Does this Celtics team pose a genuine concern to ANY team? For one or two games, sure, but is this team gonna put it together for 4 out of 7 games? They have so many letdowns.

[liam]

Honest question: Does this Celtics team pose a genuine concern to ANY team? For one or two games, sure, but is this team gonna put it together for 4 out of 7 games? They have so many letdowns.

It remains to be seen...

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

We came out playing as hard as we could but simply have no answer for the clipper offense.

I disagree with that. These guys were giving up open 3s and layups from the beginning.

They’re giving up open threes because they have no answer for the pick and roll.  Opposite guy is now having to dip down way low to stop the big, leaving his guy open in the corner.  That’s not a lack of effort.  That’s a hot team killing us.

They also gave up like a dozen non-fastbreak layups in the first half. That's bad, no matter how you slice it.

Its the NBA.  A hot guy like Lou Williams has made and entire career of scoring.  Sometimes you have to give the other team credit.

Sure, but allowing a team to shoot 65% for a GAME? That's beyond just hot shooting. That's some straight-up trash defense.

[keevsnick]

Theis is gonna have nightmares about Lou Williams.

[SCeltic34]

We're also consistently letting Williams get to his right hand.  Is that not in the scouting report?  Utter failure defensively from our players and coaches.

[liam]

Is TIMELORD not dressed?

[jpotter33]

Game over. Every time the 3rd seed is within a grasp.

To take an optimistic look at this, I actually think that the four seed is the better playoff path for us, given that Indy is almost certain to drop to the five seed given their schedule.

I think Indy/Detroit is probably a wash challenge-wise, but Detroit's size could cause us some problems. But I think we have a better chance of beating Milwaukee in the second round than Toronto. Giannis at least has a weak area that we can exploit with his shooting, and we have several guys to throw at him to make things difficult. Kawhi doesn't really have that kind of weak spot, and I think collectively in the playoffs Toronto is more talented and experienced and will be more difficult to beat.

[MJohnnyboy]

Hey Celtics. Did you know that playing defense helps you win the game?

[liam]

The Celtics are getting clowned!

[droopdog7]

We came out playing as hard as we could but simply have no answer for the clipper offense.

I disagree with that. These guys were giving up open 3s and layups from the beginning.

They’re giving up open threes because they have no answer for the pick and roll.  Opposite guy is now having to dip down way low to stop the big, leaving his guy open in the corner.  That’s not a lack of effort.  That’s a hot team killing us.

They also gave up like a dozen non-fastbreak layups in the first half. That's bad, no matter how you slice it.

Its the NBA.  A hot guy like Lou Williams has made and entire career of scoring.  Sometimes you have to give the other team credit.

Sure, but allowing a team to shoot 65% for a GAME? That's beyond just hot shooting. That's some straight-up trash defense.

Perhaps.  But bad defense isn’t necessarily bad effort.  Williams and dalinari unconscious.  It also looks like a really bad matchup. 

[SCeltic34]

Oh well, still a successful and encouraging road trip overall.  Throw this game away and move on.

[jpotter33]

Alrright, Brad, let's just get the end of the bench guys in right now. This clearly isn't our night while it is the Clippers night, so no need risking any other injuries.

[droopdog7]

We're also consistently letting Williams get to his right hand.  Is that not in the scouting report?  Utter failure defensively from our players and coaches.

Hes a great scorer who can get anywhere he wants.  You What can you.

[liam]

We came out playing as hard as we could but simply have no answer for the clipper offense.

I disagree with that. These guys were giving up open 3s and layups from the beginning.

They’re giving up open threes because they have no answer for the pick and roll.  Opposite guy is now having to dip down way low to stop the big, leaving his guy open in the corner.  That’s not a lack of effort.  That’s a hot team killing us.

They also gave up like a dozen non-fastbreak layups in the first half. That's bad, no matter how you slice it.

Its the NBA.  A hot guy like Lou Williams has made and entire career of scoring.  Sometimes you have to give the other team credit.

Sure, but allowing a team to shoot 65% for a GAME? That's beyond just hot shooting. That's some straight-up trash defense.

Perhaps.  But bad defense isn’t necessarily bad effort.  Williams and dalinari unconscious.  It also looks like a really bad matchup.

The Clippers play hard. You have to play hard to beat them. The Celtics look like a team at the end of a long road trip....