Celtics (0-0) at Heat (0-0) ECF Game #1 5/17/22

[liam]

Spoelstra is the best coach we've faced in these playoffs and he'll make lots of adjustments during the games and throughout the series. Ime has more than held his own in the playoffs so far but this will be a big test for him and this squad.

[Vermont Green]

We had the rest in Game 1 against MIL and we lost.  I actually think this favors us in this Game 1.  It could catch up with us for Game 2 though.  We still have the glow from the big Game 7 win.  Miami has not had a close game since the ATL series.  I am hoping this works in our favor.

[Phantom255x]

The key today is how each team starts. I'd like to hope maybe the Heat are rusty while the C's have some momentum since they just played a few days ago and that they're able to hit their shots at a good rate

Take the Miami crowd out of it early and the C's could steal it. I personally don't see it panning out that way, but it's the path to a Game 1 win. 

[seancally]

Let’s hope the Celtics have spent some time looking at the Miami zone

[CFAN38]

We had the rest in Game 1 against MIL and we lost.  I actually think this favors us in this Game 1.  It could catch up with us for Game 2 though.  We still have the glow from the big Game 7 win.  Miami has not had a close game since the ATL series.  I am hoping this works in our favor.

I have a take on why the Cs lost game one and looked so bad game 1 vs the bucks.

As some of you may have experienced when you play pickup B-Ball and go from guarding a bigger stronger more physical guy for a couple of games to guarding a smaller quicker guy or vise versa the physical differences contrast each other making the big guy seem stronger and the quick guy seem quicker. With time you adjust to the style and pace and its less of an issue. I think this is exactly what happened in game 1 vs the Bucks. The nets where not physical at all and played a smaller lineup. The bucks size and physicality was such a contrast that it was a shock to the Cs. The Bucks series should have the Cs dialed in for the physicality that the Heat will bring.

My only worry (aside from Rob and Smart's health) is that the Cs will be tackling Butler and Bam given that they are still dialed into defensing Giannis on the drive. This may lead to a lot of players in early foul trouble tonight.   

[colincb]

 

Brian Robb @BrianTRobb about 14 minutes ago

Celtics-Bucks Game 7 was the most watched Eastern Conference Semifinals game since 2012, averaging 7.5 million viewers per ESPN.

[LilRip]

Let’s go C’s! I trust the defense, but the turnovers are going to be our Achilles heel this series. JT and JB (and eventually Smart, when he returns) all need to play sharply or else transition points are going to kill Boston.

[LilRip]

Refs today are Zarba and Tony Brothers

Honestly I'll take it. Game 1 might be a loss anyways and hopefully this means no Brothers the rest of the series. We'd just need to be wary of Foster down the road

Welp, there go our chances. Brothers is the real Celtic killer

On that same note though, with how much of a boost Tatum’s reputation has gotten from the past 2 series, maybe Brothers’ penchant for calling unfair games will actually favor us since we have the bigger star and are the bigger draw, ratings-wise.

[colincb]

Let’s hope the Celtics have spent some time looking at the Miami zone

True, but I expect they're going to try to let anyone but Tatum beat them as well as trying to chase shooters off the 3-point line unlike the Bucks.

The  Heat are a very good team with a HOF coach, so I expect a battle more like the Bucks series. Some of the predictions being made don't make a lot of sense, like Cs in 5 winning two games on MIA's home court. Last thoughts, for now, is don't leave PJ Tucker open in the corner, and Smart's availability could be key.

[colincb]

Refs today are Zarba and Tony Brothers

Honestly I'll take it. Game 1 might be a loss anyways and hopefully this means no Brothers the rest of the series. We'd just need to be wary of Foster down the road

... and Ed Malloy.

[colincb]

Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA about 9 minutes ago

Ime Udoka says Smart is questionable and the swelling and soreness are there, but they hope he reacts well to treatment throughout the day and it gets better. “Legitimately questionable.”

Sounds unlikely to me. Next man up...

[Vermont Green]

We had the rest in Game 1 against MIL and we lost.  I actually think this favors us in this Game 1.  It could catch up with us for Game 2 though.  We still have the glow from the big Game 7 win.  Miami has not had a close game since the ATL series.  I am hoping this works in our favor.

I have a take on why the Cs lost game one and looked so bad game 1 vs the bucks.

As some of you may have experienced when you play pickup B-Ball and go from guarding a bigger stronger more physical guy for a couple of games to guarding a smaller quicker guy or vise versa the physical differences contrast each other making the big guy seem stronger and the quick guy seem quicker. With time you adjust to the style and pace and its less of an issue. I think this is exactly what happened in game 1 vs the Bucks. The nets where not physical at all and played a smaller lineup. The bucks size and physicality was such a contrast that it was a shock to the Cs. The Bucks series should have the Cs dialed in for the physicality that the Heat will bring.

My only worry (aside from Rob and Smart's health) is that the Cs will be tackling Butler and Bam given that they are still dialed into defensing Giannis on the drive. This may lead to a lot of players in early foul trouble tonight.

Your point about adjustments is fair but remember MIA has to adjust to us too.  I still think that all favors us.  We are dialed into MIL level of competition, MIA is dialed into PHI.

I do agree though regarding fouls.  Butler will draw fouls and get calls.  With Smart possibly out, we cannot afford foul trouble for any of our wings or guards.  If RWill is back and able to play even say 20 reasonably productive minutes, our big rotation has enough minutes to absorb some level of foul trouble.  But with Smart potentially out or limited, if Brown for example, gets in foul trouble, it probably means Nesmith is in the game.  Not the end of the world, but certainly not ideal.

If I was MIA, that is how I would attack us.  Make Brown and Tatum play defense and maybe pick up fouls.  Tatum got frustrated and picked up some fouls in Game 7 and you know MIA saw this.

[Big333223]

Celtics lost games 1 and 3 against the Bucks after a lot of rest. They were sharper with less time off. I'm not worried about the quick turnaround against the Heat. I think they're taking game 1.

[tarheelsxxiii]

T minus 8 hours, 36 mins. I am pumped.

[liam]

T minus 8 hours, 36 mins. I am pumped.

Where's the live count down?