Celtics (25-9) at Rockets (21-11) Game #35 1/3/25

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

from the outside lookinbg in this bench has meshed as well as the starters

that is HUUUUUUUUGE

HUGE

great continuity as a team

REPEAT!

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

eddie just hit on that

great chemistry

no selfish players

they wanna win

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

this is gonna be hilarious when joe mazz wins multiple titles here and all doc rivers could muster was 1 and choke away # 2 in 2010. not his fault in 2009 with KG but still

LOL at doc

[SparzWizard]

Suffocating defense on the 2nd half. And this was a back2back western road trip, against the West's third best. Pretty decent.

[radiohead]

eddie just hit on that

great chemistry

no selfish players

they wanna win

TP

[radiohead]

eddie just hit on that

great chemistry

no selfish players

they wanna win

Speaking of Eddie, i noticed he had a rotating display case with 2 rings inside, on top of the table behind him during the post game show. I assume one was from 2008. Does anyone know if Wyc and company gave him a 2024 ring as well? I know they gifted Bob Cousy with one. Scal and Drew got rings themselves if i?m not mistaken.

[jpotter33]

https://x.com/John_Karalis/status/1875395852975665290

Porzingis: We had a good meeting before this trip, just a little bit, like, looking in the mirror type of meeting to see where we can improve and what we can do better because teams are obviously coming for us

You can definitely tell. The energy and intensity has been much better the last two games, especially defensively.

That's good to hear and know that this is likely mostly a "hangover" effect. May still cost us the top seed in the conference/league if Cleveland doesn't slow down, but when we play like this we can win anywhere, as we showed last year.

[SparzWizard]

https://x.com/John_Karalis/status/1875395852975665290

Porzingis: We had a good meeting before this trip, just a little bit, like, looking in the mirror type of meeting to see where we can improve and what we can do better because teams are obviously coming for us

You can definitely tell. The energy and intensity has been much better the last two games, especially defensively.

That's good to hear and know that this is likely mostly a "hangover" effect. May still cost us the top seed in the conference/league if Cleveland doesn't slow down, but when we play like this we can win anywhere, as we showed last year.

Hmm good two wins to rebound, but well let's put that to the test, at OKC on Sunday. Followed by high altitude in Denver, a place they've struggled in.

[celticinorlando]

https://x.com/John_Karalis/status/1875395852975665290

Porzingis: We had a good meeting before this trip, just a little bit, like, looking in the mirror type of meeting to see where we can improve and what we can do better because teams are obviously coming for us

You can definitely tell. The energy and intensity has been much better the last two games, especially defensively.

That's good to hear and know that this is likely mostly a "hangover" effect. May still cost us the top seed in the conference/league if Cleveland doesn't slow down, but when we play like this we can win anywhere, as we showed last year.

Hmm good two wins to rebound, but well let's put that to the test, at OKC on Sunday. Followed by high altitude in Denver, a place they've struggled in.

OKC due for a loss
They are coming off an emotional win over the Knicks

Denver lost at home to the Spurs. They simply are an average team at this point with a great player. Will be tough but I think if the Cs finish this trip 3-1 that would be fantastic.

[Vermont Green]

Saw the game piecemeal while at a bar.  I thought they looked great.  Much better defensive execution.  They threw in some zone which I think is great.  They put in the effort and were very tight on doubles, rotations, and so on.

Interesting only 39 3PA for 49%.  Still about 50% of their recorded FGA (the season average is about 55%).  There were also about 9 trips to the line which likely were the result of mostly 2PA, not 3PA.  This is what all of us have been saying.  Cut back on 3PA a little.  Be a little more selective.  Take it to the hoop a little more.  A little less reliance on 3PA (about 4 fewer than if they were right at 55% 3PA).  Not a huge difference but I like the trend.

[Celtics2021]

Saw the game piecemeal while at a bar.  I thought they looked great.  Much better defensive execution.  They threw in some zone which I think is great.  They put in the effort and were very tight on doubles, rotations, and so on.

Interesting only 39 3PA for 49%.  Still about 50% of their recorded FGA (the season average is about 55%).  There were also about 9 trips to the line which likely were the result of mostly 2PA, not 3PA.  This is what all of us have been saying.  Cut back on 3PA a little.  Be a little more selective.  Take it to the hoop a little more.  A little less reliance on 3PA (about 4 fewer than if they were right at 55% 3PA).  Not a huge difference but I like the trend.

Houston?s defense allows the second-fewest 3-point attempts per game, allowing about 10% fewer attempts than the median team, and close to 20% fewer than teams like Washington.  The Celtics offense is designed to take the best shots, and when playing Houston that is less often going to be a 3.  Denver is one of the worst at preventing 3s, and I bet we will be back towards the 50s vs. them Tuesday.