Celtics (18-20) at Knicks (17-20) Game #39 1/6/22

[Kuberski33]

Celtics with an 18 point lead. How will they blow this tonight 

Well we found out how 

But seriously, even if this team has a 30-point lead they'll find some way to blow it. They held on against Phoenix but that's about it it seems.

Here's the recipe. First half Tatum, Jaylen and Schroder were all making shots. With the big lead they got sloppy, and you could see it starting towards the end of the half. Then Jaylen & Schroder go cold. The Knicks pick up their defense, there's no good PG on the floor to settle things down - no one off the bench who can come in hit some shots to change the direction of a game - and it all just mushrooms.

[footey]

Silver lining from last night's game:

Jayson Tatum was fantastic.  Showed composure, and came up clutch in 4th quarter.

Rob Williams was awesome. Left his heart out there, and really owned the interior with 8 blocks!! Some nice steals too.  Really showed how much better he is than Mitchell Robinson too.

[blink]

STEP ONE: TRADE DENNIS SCHRODER.

He can’t be on the floor at the end of games, and Ime keeps putting him in. It gives us three non-shooters, which closes driving lanes for the Js, and it pushes Smart out of a position in which he’s good (PG) into one where he’s bad (SG). It weakens our defense. It deprives our younger players of a chance to show whether they can perform at the end of games. And a few have *earned* the chance, it’s not about giving them something as a participation trophy. A few have shown they can shoot, at least in the first three quarters. Let’s see if they can hit big shots at the end of the game!

The only explanation I can come up with is that Ime is afraid that if he benches Schroder he’ll be bad in the locker room

I feel like this is going to happen before the trade deadline for a lot of reasons.  One we can't really afford to resign him, especially with how he fits in our roster.   If he isn't going to be here next year anyways, then try to get something back.  But I don't imagine we will get much back from the trade though.