Celtics (34-14) at Warriors (39-10) Game #50 1/27/18

[keevsnick]

Tyreke Evans for Yabusele + 2019 Memphis Pick?

Yay or Nay?

Absolutely not, that pick coould be really good. Maybe our pick, or the cipper pick which is lottery protected or a second

[celticinorlando]

Really want to see this type of effort on Tuesday

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Really want to see this type of effort on Tuesday

Me too, but the way things have been going lately—playing down to lesser teams—I'm doubtful it'll happen.

[ozgod]

Great game. Now we need them to put in this type of effort and commitment when they are playing teams other than GSW.

[KGs Knee]

Tough loss, but it's obvious we match up really well against the Warriors.

[RockinRyA]

Not putting the sole blame on him, but I also think Tatum's struggles really hurt us.

He shot 2-9, and missed some wide open shots in the 4th quarter as well.

But obviously he's young and hitting the rookie wall now, so I'm not concerned and still think he will have an extremely bright future.

Also, am I the only one who gets frustrated seeing Morris just jack up a lazy looking bad shot (especially a long 2 or a 3 while covered) acting like he's Curry... seemed like he did that quite a bit tonight as well. Shot 5-15 tonight.

If Smart wasn't injured I'd seriously consider assigning Tatum to the G-League for a game or 2, just to give him a boost of confidence and get out of the funk he's in.

The G league that’s crazy?

The bench, maybe. But even that I’m not convinced. I think a minutes reduction would definitely help him though

I don't think lesser playing time is what he needs.

[More Banners]

I don't think the Warriors ever for a moment thought the outcome was in doubt. A series might be a 5 game gentleman's sweep.

[gouki88]

I don't think the Warriors ever for a moment thought the outcome was in doubt. A series might be a 5 game gentleman's sweep.

Hard to see how that would be the case, given we were up by 10 points before a couple of absolutely brutal stretches by our bench - highlighted by us scoring 36 points in the second and third quarter combined.

[mctyson]

Not putting the sole blame on him, but I also think Tatum's struggles really hurt us.

He shot 2-9, and missed some wide open shots in the 4th quarter as well.

But obviously he's young and hitting the rookie wall now, so I'm not concerned and still think he will have an extremely bright future.

Also, am I the only one who gets frustrated seeing Morris just jack up a lazy looking bad shot (especially a long 2 or a 3 while covered) acting like he's Curry... seemed like he did that quite a bit tonight as well. Shot 5-15 tonight.

You can draw a direct line to the recent 1-4 slump and Tatum's struggles.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I don't think the Warriors ever for a moment thought the outcome was in doubt. A series might be a 5 game gentleman's sweep.

I definitely disagree with your first sentiment, but not with the second. I've never been more confident in our ability to beat them, but it doesn't mean we'd be favorites.

Their flex half-court offense was not working. When we slowed down their game, they were forced into pick-and-roll heaves. Granted, Curry is the best at those, but there are even tweaks we could do to get them off the 3 point line there.

That's the second game in a row that our wings have held Thompson and Durant in check. I don't think we can stop them, but it does seem like we have a beat on what they are trying to do -- and we are making them uncomfortable when they are doing it.

After that, the only player in the NBA who can go toe-to-toe with Curry is Irving.

[Sketch5]

I don't think the Warriors ever for a moment thought the outcome was in doubt. A series might be a 5 game gentleman's sweep.

I definitely disagree with your first sentiment, but not with the second. I've never been more confident in our ability to beat them, but it doesn't mean we'd be favorites.

Their flex half-court offense was not working. When we slowed down their game, they were forced into pick-and-roll heaves. Granted, Curry is the best at those, but there are even tweaks we could do to get them off the 3 point line there.

That's the second game in a row that our wings have held Thompson and Durant in check. I don't think we can stop them, but it does seem like we have a beat on what they are trying to do -- and we are making them uncomfortable when they are doing it.

After that, the only player in the NBA who can go toe-to-toe with Curry is Irving.

Plus not having Smart and throwing him at Curry hurt us. While Rozier is better on the offensive side of the ball, Smart makes it easier to switch on D. KD got Rozier a couple times and it was too easy for him.

[hodgy03038]

Really want to see this type of effort on Tuesday

What happens on Tuesday?

[cman88]

This is why Hayward was so important. As good as Tatum is, rookies have a tendency to be inconsistent at times.

Either way, you have to be encouraged that it looks like the celtics are right there with the warriors. I think we are a year away. You add hayward, and another year of development for Brown/tatum we match up very well

[More Banners]

This is why Hayward was so important. As good as Tatum is, rookies have a tendency to be inconsistent at times.

Either way, you have to be encouraged that it looks like the celtics are right there with the warriors. I think we are a year away. You add hayward, and another year of development for Brown/tatum we match up very well

It's true that so much of our current success depends on youth not acting young. In a year, we are plus experience and Haywood. Maybe it just comes together, hopefully before Horford experiences any age related dive in performance.

Next year, with an MLE addition as well and possible ring chasers, plus our internal improvement through experience and health, and maybe we can threaten the Warriors. Not sure anyone else will have the depth for sure.

[Bobshot]

I just watched the last quarter of the Warriors game replay on NBA TV.

One thing I noticed was Tatum had zero shots the last 8 minutes, and DNP the last 5 minutes (except for a few seconds at the end). Irving kept them in the game with some miracle layups.

How can your best shooter not take any shots in such a close game? The answer is he was not set up to take any shots. When he got the ball, he was moving and passed it off to others. He was never in a position to shoot--from a screen, for example.

If you want to look for problems with the Celtics offense, one place is Tatum. He has the best shooting % stats on the team, and isn't getting set up for enough shots. Especially those corner 3 pointers.

The game last night ended in a shootout between Irving and Curry. That's not the traditional Celtics way.