Celtics (2-2) at Raptors (2-2) Round 2 Game 5 9/7/20

[Linwood]

I don’t think I can watch

[nickagneta]

Consider:

Starting Wannamaker over Smart, so Smart can come in off the bench.  Brad has actually played quite well in his minutes.   It's not like Marcus is shutting down Lowry; Lowry is attracting double teams every time he penetrates, which is 2/3 plays it seems.

Also consider starting TL so that he can play more minutes vs Gasol, and cut down his  pick and pop Ibaka minutes.

Why?

Stevens plays his starters with his bench on the regular. He substitutes very quickly at times, prime example being taking Theis out after just a couple minutes after the game started on two occasions.

There is simply no need to be screwing with the starting lineup. Who started and who came off the bench were not the reasons the Celtics lost the last two games. A miracle shot and going 5 for 22 on wide open three point looks were the reason for the losses.

The Celtics defense, by and large, has been terrific. It's been the Celtics offense that has been the problem the last two games and it's mostly just not hitting open shots. Starting Wanamaker and Timelord instead of Smart and Theis isn't going to solve that problem.

Maybe. Maybe not.  Continuing to play the same not the solution for sure.  What is your advice? Just play harder? Better? Make your shots?

Well, yeah! There is nothing wrong with the system it was the performance.

Now maybe Stevens drums up some sets for when Toronto goes zone that will make the offense better. That makes sense. But just switching personnel around in and out of the starting lineup isn't going to solve anything. Players know their roles. No need to change those roles. Just execute better. Run some different sets. That's what is needed.

[blink]

Consider:

Starting Wannamaker over Smart, so Smart can come in off the bench.  Brad has actually played quite well in his minutes.   It's not like Marcus is shutting down Lowry; Lowry is attracting double teams every time he penetrates, which is 2/3 plays it seems.

Also consider starting TL so that he can play more minutes vs Gasol, and cut down his  pick and pop Ibaka minutes.

Why?

Stevens plays his starters with his bench on the regular. He substitutes very quickly at times, prime example being taking Theis out after just a couple minutes after the game started on two occasions.

There is simply no need to be screwing with the starting lineup. Who started and who came off the bench were not the reasons the Celtics lost the last two games. A miracle shot and going 5 for 22 on wide open three point looks were the reason for the losses.

The Celtics defense, by and large, has been terrific. It's been the Celtics offense that has been the problem the last two games and it's mostly just not hitting open shots. Starting Wanamaker and Timelord instead of Smart and Theis isn't going to solve that problem.

Maybe. Maybe not.  Continuing to play the same not the solution for sure.  What is your advice? Just play harder? Better? Make your shots?

Well, yeah! There is nothing wrong with the system it was the performance.

Now maybe Stevens drums up some sets for when Toronto goes zone that will make the offense better. That makes sense. But just switching personnel around in and out of the starting lineup isn't going to solve anything. Players know their roles. No need to change those roles. Just execute better. Run some different sets. That's what is needed.

Brad def needs to draw up some plays that adjust to Toronto's zone defense.  I hope we also practiced with recognition as well.  It seems like it takes a whole shot clock to realize they are playing zone sometimes.

[gouki88]

I expect us to come out strong tonight. We simply have to.

We've seen Denver even the series with the Clippers. Everyone had written them off, myself included. There were people who thought they lucked out against Utah by Bogdanovic not being there, and after G1 against LA everyone thought they were done for. The machine of Kawhi, the All-Star wing play of George, the two 6MOTY candidates and the veteran coach were all stacked against them. Yet they came out firing and won the game.

We saw Milwaukee, with their backs against the wall facing one of the most embarrassing sweeps in recent history, come out and beat a tough Miami squad. They did this even with their MVP going down early, and everyone from fans at home to national TV analysts getting out their brooms. Even facing OT, Middleton and others never took a backwards step.

This is playoff basketball! Anything is possible!

[Celtics Mike]

Let's go Celtics
Never stop believing !

[GreenFaith1819]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwPb7g_BlXQ

Let's GO BOS!!

[blink]

I gotta think we are going to see better play from the C's today.

Often times when one of the J's has a really bad shooting game, the next game they come back with a hot night.
I really hope this is the case for Jaylen today.

This is as close to a must win as we have had in a while.  Cmon C's show us that you are a contender today and take down the Raps.

[footey]

Jaylen needs to take it to the hole more, especially when the 3 isn't falling. 

Hope to see more shots from Kemba.

Hope to see JT step up with a monster game. But not disrupt the ball movement.  conundrum.

[blink]

oh man Stan Van Panic as our announcer today

[gouki88]

oh man Stan Van Panic as our announcer today

God he's terrible. Can some team just hire him as a coach so I don't have to hear him anymore!

[footey]

If Brad plans to play G Will as small ball center, we are going to get crushed. 

[gouki88]

If Brad plans to play G Will as small ball center, we are going to get crushed.

I pray we see Timelord and Theis split the centre minutes down the middle - 24 each

[footey]

If Brad plans to play G Will as small ball center, we are going to get crushed.

I pray we see Timelord and Theis split the centre minutes down the middle - 24 each

Second.

[footey]

Siakam was starting to assert himself vs JB last game. JB needs to keep him further out on the post up.  Once Siakam posts low, he is trouble.

[blink]

If Brad plans to play G Will as small ball center, we are going to get crushed.

+1, I really don't like that lineup either, especially not in the playoffs in a game 5.
He can do spot minutes at the 4.