Thunder (33-18) at Celtics (33-19) Game #53 2/3/19

[Sophomore]

If both teams were shooting their average from 3, we would be up 17.

[KGs Knee]

Sometimes I do wonder how good this team would be right now if Ainge had traded for PG after trading for Kyrie.

You have to think if Russ was able to convince PG to stay in cow town, that Kyrie could have convinced him to stay in Boston.

[Neurotic Guy]

Smart is so good.

How is it that he has been just terrific this year?  Has to be that he is letting go of self-imposed pressure to score.  And it hasn't hurt that he seems to have improved his 3-point shot significantly.  But really, it's everything offensively -- vision/ passing, driving, FT reliability, 3-point shooting, touch in the paint.  And the great defense.  What a bargain.  Pels have to want him.  But so do we.

[celticinorlando]

Just don't want Morris, Smart and Rozier to fall in love with the 3 in the second half. Boston has played really well going inside and out.

Concerned with the second unit because Rozier refuses to play within the half court offense and Hayward refuses to shoot.

[Atzar]

Loved what that unit did for the last few minutes of the half. 

Don't overreact to what George is doing.  We're contesting him fairly well for the most part.  The only thing I don't like is when he gets matched up on one of our smaller guards - Kyrie or Rozier. 

Thunder's defense is statistically one of the best in the NBA, and we're blistering them. 

My only real issue in this game is what Rozier is doing (and not doing).  He's a turnstile and nearly every shot he takes is a bad one.  I'm done.  Wanamaker is less athletic and less talented, but at least he puts in the effort on defense and takes decent shots.  Let's see what this second unit looks like with him.   

[Sophomore]

The offense has been beautiful. Very unselfish, team-oriented basketball leading to good shot after good shot. Great rebuttal to all the malarkey of the last couple days about a team in disarray.

[nickagneta]

Just don't want Morris, Smart and Rozier to fall in love with the 3 in the second half. Boston has played really well going inside and out.

Concerned with the second unit because Rozier refuses to play within the half court offense and Hayward refuses to shoot.

Thank God Jaylen has been lights out!

[liam]

Nice final three minutes. Took it from +1 to +8.

Once they pulled Rozier 1-3 2TO and a -5....

[celticinorlando]

Just don't want Morris, Smart and Rozier to fall in love with the 3 in the second half. Boston has played really well going inside and out.

Concerned with the second unit because Rozier refuses to play within the half court offense and Hayward refuses to shoot.

Thank God Jaylen has been lights out!

Amen. He has played very well and under control

[mctyson]

Smart is so good.

How is it that he has been just terrific this year?  Has to be that he is letting go of self-imposed pressure to score.  And it hasn't hurt that he seems to have improved his 3-point shot significantly.  But really, it's everything offensively -- vision/ passing, driving, FT reliability, 3-point shooting, touch in the paint.  And the great defense.  What a bargain.  Pels have to want him.  But so do we.

I think the fact that he is starting with Kyrie and Horford helps, but I would like to believe that he is just getting better like most young players do, and we will have him for his best years the next 3.5 years.

[Surferdad]

Just got here, what’s cookin’ in the 1st half?

[Greengang5]

Just don't want Morris, Smart and Rozier to fall in love with the 3 in the second half. Boston has played really well going inside and out.

Concerned with the second unit because Rozier refuses to play within the half court offense and Hayward refuses to shoot.

Hayward isn't refusing to shoot.  They didn't run much for him.  I would like to see that play where they double pick for him with Rozier setting the second back pick.  Hayward has gotten some dunks off of that. 

Overall a good half and run the last 3 minutes.

[KGs Knee]

Just got here, what’s cookin’ in the 1st half?

Kyrie...as usual

[Kuberski33]

1. Really miss Baynes tonight on Adams.

2. Going to have to hope George goes cold.

3. Cs need to attack the basket. OKC has no defense for guys going to the rim.

4. Second unit has to do something.

5. Hayward's trend of disappearing on offense vs elite teams continues. He has to give them something.

Regarding #3 I'm not sure what you're seeing.  That was the best offensive half of basketball I've seen from this team in awhile.  The sharing of the ball was outstanding - open looks all over the place and Kyrie's in top form. They had a little stretch earlier where they missed a couple of looks but overall I thought they were excellent.

Hayward's passing was really good for the most part.  He's reluctant to take guys on one on one because it still doesn't look like he trusts his ability to do that.  But he's doing what he's comfortable doing and if you notice, the other team is always finding him quickly.

Rozier wasn't great.  Everyone else, really no complaints.  Tatum did a nice job on the defensive boards.   Keep in mind the other team is pretty good - and they're not going to be thrilled with giving up 66 pts.  On the other hand they shot the 3 real well so hopefully they revert to their norm in the 2nd half.

[celticinorlando]

1. Really miss Baynes tonight on Adams.

2. Going to have to hope George goes cold.

3. Cs need to attack the basket. OKC has no defense for guys going to the rim.

4. Second unit has to do something.

5. Hayward's trend of disappearing on offense vs elite teams continues. He has to give them something.

Regarding #3 I'm not sure what you're seeing.  That was the best offensive half of basketball I've seen from this team in awhile.  The sharing of the ball was outstanding - open looks all over the place and Kyrie's in top form. They had a little stretch earlier where they missed a couple of looks but overall I thought they were excellent.

Hayward's passing was really good for the most part.  He's reluctant to take guys on one on one because it still doesn't look like he trusts his ability to do that.  But he's doing what he's comfortable doing and if you notice, the other team is always finding him quickly.

Rozier wasn't great.  Everyone else, really no complaints.  Tatum did a nice job on the defensive boards.   Keep in mind the other team is pretty good - and they're not going to be thrilled with giving up 66 pts.  On the other hand they shot the 3 real well so hopefully they revert to their norm in the 2nd half.

So you disagree with me saying the Cs are playing great because they are getting to the rim?