What can Celts do?

[Spilling Green Dye]

Stop playing like Pansies from the opening tip, go to the basket and don't settle for 3 point shots---would have lost to any team in the league with that pathetic opening---finally got going after Marcus got into it with Thompson. Not exactly how to open up the freaking ECF.

I mean this is pretty on point. We struggled to knock down the 3 point shot to begin, as did the Cavs. The difference was the Cavs were able to penetrate and finish. We had flashes of it with Jaylen and Bradley but everyone else seemed forced when they did it.

The other thing is the coverage of James. We can't just accept KO and Horford being switched onto him. At the very least make them work for it. There was a stretch of 8 straight Lebron points where Jaylen and KO switched, then James blew by KO. That's unacceptable, particularly given how well Jaylen was already doing on James.

The score made it look like we were chasms apart but make some small changes and I think we are right back in it. There were a few silly fouls, cut them out and make the Cavs respond. We are doubtful to win the series of course but every game counts and even just 1 win would be huge for this team.

Thank you for posting my exact thoughts, TP lol.  I actually still feel decent about this Celtics team winning a game or two.  The celtics missed a lot of easy shots in the first half, and defensively need to make 1 or 2 adjustments that should make a meaningful impact.

[JBcat]

Since we are good by to lose the battle of the boards anyway go small with our starting lineup.

I like the way Smart battled Thompson.  We need that intensity to start the game so I would start him.

Play Green and Rozier more minutes.  Continue to play Brown.  Maybe even play Jonas a little at the 4.

This will totally open the floor on offense, and hopefully give Thomas more room to operate.

If things aren't looking great by the second quarter start the hack a Thompson then to send him to the foul line.  Maybe we can crawl our way back earlier if we start then.

The Cavs looked like a very fresh team.  Maybe, hopefully not as fresh as the series goes on.

If we hit our normal rate of 3's I think we can hang with them.  Our guys especially Thomas and Horford looked a little spent after that long series.  Hopefully they regain their form.

[Who]

Move Crowder to the bench. Start Jaylen.

[Redz]

Not going 1 for 15 from 3's to start.

Gotta make shots when they're available.

Horford was missing high percentage shots until garbage time.

[Dannys Chipotle Guy]

Not going 1 for 15 from 3's to start.

Gotta make shots when they're available.

Horford was missing high percentage shots until garbage time.

This is hugely underappreciated.

We missed a TON of good looks early last night. Obviously we had big problems on the glass and defending Lebron, but you cant miss that many open looks against anybody.

It would have been tough to beat the Nets the way we shot the ball at the beginning of the game.

live be the 3 die by the 3. we died early in that game.

now I dont think we win last night even if we shoot well from the jump. However, the game would have appeared a lot closer if wed come out knocking down wide open jumpers.

[kozlodoev]

Not going 1 for 15 from 3's to start.

Want to not miss that many threes? Here's a newsflash, don't shoot that many threes.

So far, this team has shown me that they have absolutely no idea what to do if jump shots aren't falling. And the problem with jump shots is they tend to not fall at most inopportune times. Which is why great teams never rely entirely on chucking jumpers from 15 ft and out.

[Redz]

Not going 1 for 15 from 3's to start.

Want to not miss that many threes? Here's a newsflash, don't shoot that many threes.

So far, this team has shown me that they have absolutely no idea what to do if jump shots aren't falling. And the problem with jump shots is they tend to not fall at most inopportune times. Which is why great teams never rely entirely on chucking jumpers from 15 ft and out.

Yup.  Definitely not a great team, but they can compete with anyone when the shots are falling.  The paint points come easily when the perimeter stuff is working.  As you say though, they either don't have the personnel or ability to make the opposite true (especially under intense pressure).

[Rosco917]

We have nothing to loose...start Smart at PG, Brown at SF, Kelly at PF, and bring IT and Crowder off the bench. (Forget Amir)

Brown seems to cause Lebron pause, he's still gonna tear it up, but Brown has the physical attributes to maybe somewhat slow him down a little. And it will give him great experience for his future.

IT off the floor, immediately improves defense by a huge amount, the C's can stay straight up on D more often, stop waisting energy hiding IT, and maybe guard the 3 point line while their at it. He's being well controlled by the Cavs anyway. The formula for controlling IT has been established, until the C's find some REAL scoring help. Pick his minutes carefully, according to who's on the floor. He'll get a few less minutes, and most likely the same 17-20 points.   

Who'll score? Move the ball around and find the open man, and play through Horford and KO more. Make the Cavs move their feet chasing the ball movement. As I said, we have little to loose.

[Tr1boy]

Could the Celtics possibly not start Isaiah and put its best defensive team on floor or pull that at beginning 2nd half hoping that Cleveland doesn't have its game legs.
Would this throw off Cleveland's rotation and cause some temporary confusion?
Some concerted effort to get a particular player that is prone to fouling in trouble early?

Celts have to stop overthinking and falling into the Cavs trance

Lebron brings up the ball .... players start sweating...then a pick is set...and Celts are panicking.  Cement foot

Celts can't be scared...lose with fight at least... Look at Marcus Smart.  Love his fearlessness against a much taller Thompson...

Celts need this attitude from the start to the end of the game

I say they need to TRY some other things than let game 1 repeat until game 4

Maybe full court press Lebron. Force him to work if anything.....double team him....tire him out

EVEN if this means Love scores 40.... you let the other Lebron pets beat you...not Lebron play with you.  Play with you and instruct the refs...its comical