2021-22 Celtics Playoffs Discussion

[mef730]

We talk a ton about the Cs injuries, but there was an interesting article in the Athletic about the Miami side:

https://theathletic.com/3330142/2022/05/24/jimmy-butler-game-4-heat-celtics/

Note: The first couple of times I tried it, it was behind a paywall. After a few attempts, it opened. I'm not sure why.

tl;dr

It’s the Eastern Conference finals, and four of Miami’s top players are breaking down. Butler and Herro and Kyle Lowry (with his hamstring history) and PJ Tucker (knee bruise). That’s one way, but not the Heat way, to look at it.

The playoffs are not typically the time for players to miss a game here or there due to something they can otherwise play through. During the playoffs, when asked for injury updates, then-Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue used to say everyone’s hurt and everyone’s playing. It’s the end of a long season, and every player on the team has something that doesn’t quite feel right.

Miami has had one significant injury this postseason, and that was to Lowry. Hamstrings, even if they’re just strained instead of completely torn, are tricky. Coming back too soon can make it worse, and even if the injury doesn’t worsen, running at significantly slower speeds is not exactly conducive to playing point guard. Ask James Harden.

[Phantom255x]

Just a guess but I think it'll be the same thing tonight where Timelord plays, Smart sits.

Udoka said Smart had a lot of swelling after Game 3 and Smart was limping a lot before Game 4. They might give him another day. Maybe if it was 3-1 Miami now, Smart would play? Thankfully it seems Timelord didn't suffer any setbacks from Game 4 so I have to imagine he'll play tonight.

[Rondo9]

https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1529593867019902977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1529593867019902977%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.redditmedia.com%2Fmediaembed%2Fuxt784%3Fresponsive%3Dtrue

Both Smart and Williams are available!

[Phantom255x]

https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1529593867019902977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1529593867019902977%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.redditmedia.com%2Fmediaembed%2Fuxt784%3Fresponsive%3Dtrue

Both Smart and Williams are available!

First time all series the entire squad is healthy and available! (Game 2 didn't have White due to the birth of his son)

[Phantom255x]

Still think Jaylen is due for a big game which encompasses an all-around effort. Yes he scored 40 in Game 3 but he also turned the ball over like every other possession and looked awful for some stretches, including on defense.

Struggled last night, but I believe in Jaylen to have a big game tomorrow night in Game 5 

Started off really bad tonight but he was probably the MVP of the 2nd half tonight, and was very key in winning that pivotal road Game 5! Thank you Jaylen! 

[Roy H.]

Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
about 19 minutes ago
Three of Heat's four worst half-court offensive performances of the season have come against the Celtics -- two of them in this series. In ECF, Heat has scored 84.2 points per 100 half-court plays, per @Ben Falk. That would have ranked last in the NBA this regular season.

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[gift]

Peace.

[mef730]

Foster is the crew chief tonight.

Mike

[Phantom255x]

Foster is the crew chief tonight.

Mike

Hopefully we avoid Brothers tomorrow night. Although I think there's a good chance we will as Brothers was actually part of the crew yesterday (replay center) so maybe that means we get someone else like Fitzgerald or Zarba?

[Phantom255x]

The thought of Larry Bird being in attendance to hand the ECF MVP trophy is making me feel hype!

How awesome would that be

[celticinorlando]

No foster tomorrow? Thank god.
Tatum would have 4 fouls  by the half

[Phantom255x]

Curious to see if Herro plays tonight. Also, they showed a video of some of the Heat players yesterday exiting a bus and Lowry legit looked like he couldn't walk. He was hobbling a ton, even more than previous days and more than how Smart was limping before Game 4. Probably something to monitor.

[Big333223]

Curious to see if Herro plays tonight. Also, they showed a video of some of the Heat players yesterday exiting a bus and Lowry legit looked like he couldn't walk. He was hobbling a ton, even more than previous days and more than how Smart was limping before Game 4. Probably something to monitor.

If Lowry wants to keep playing professional basketball I think he's going to have to lose 20-30 lbs. I know he's always been a hefty guy and that's been part of his strength but he doesn't look fit out there and if his legs are bothering him, the extra weight is only going to exacerbate that. (disclaimer: not a doctor)

[Rondo9]

https://twitter.com/GwashburnGlobe/status/1530331046075674624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1530331046075674624%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.redditmedia.com%2Fmediaembed%2Fuzaqyp%3Fresponsive%3Dtrue

Smart and Williams are available!

[Phantom255x]

https://twitter.com/GwashburnGlobe/status/1530331046075674624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1530331046075674624%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.redditmedia.com%2Fmediaembed%2Fuzaqyp%3Fresponsive%3Dtrue

Smart and Williams are available!