Celtics (3-3) at Raptors (3-3) Round 2 Game 7 9/11/20

[gouki88]

You know it’s been a wild playoff game when the thread is 100+ pages.

Man, how about those Celtics! Seeing Hayward doing run-throughs with the staff was very exciting too

[RockinRyA]

Issues going forward:

Gotta say, I'm not loving the "clear it out for Tatum" thing Brad is doing late.

Why not run our weak side secondary stuff?

Kemba won't be played like that again. He needs to keep his confidence up and keep shooting.

I'd like to see a little more Grant.

thats how it works at the NBA.  This is why a guy like Tatum is important to have

Maybe, but it didnt work very well.
 
The Celtics finished the last 5:21 seconds of the game without making a field goal. Their only points were 2 FT's from Tatum, 2 FT's from Kemba, and 1 FT from Smart.

Isolation-heavy basketball usually isn't great even in crunch time, off-ball action should be run to attempt unlocking some easy looks.

Yet teams want someone who can make those tough iso shots. Why? Because sometimes that's the only shot that's there. Esp in the playoffs, teams play really good defense in the clutch.

[SHAQATTACK]

hope DA s heart is ok after that one !

[gouki88]

Man, even all the post-game media coverage I've seen has been all about the Raptors. I kinda like being overlooked like this, but it feels somewhat disrespectful. We beat the reigning champions missing one of our most important players!

Onto the next one C's! Raise #18

[RockinRyA]

Man, even all the post-game media coverage I've seen has been all about the Raptors. I kinda like being overlooked like this, but it feels somewhat disrespectful. We beat the reigning champions missing one of our most important players!

Onto the next one C's! Raise #18

Yeah same here.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

What a win!

Honestly, I felt surprised that they won. I guess it was because of all the issues they had in Game 6, issues that were common challenges for them in this series—poor shooting, untimely turnovers, key players struggling to score.

But boy, did the defense turn it up tonight, more so as the game went on. Smart's block could be the play of the year, but Tatum's offensive rebound could be too. And I didn't like the move to bring in Grant in place of Timelord, but I was wrong—Grant played really well (other than missing those two FTs), and his defense was outstanding.

And yes, Kemba had a rough couple of games, but I'm happy for him to be advancing so far, something that wasn't really possible in Charlotte, and I trust that he'll get back on track vs. Miami.

[Somebody]

Issues going forward:

Gotta say, I'm not loving the "clear it out for Tatum" thing Brad is doing late.

Why not run our weak side secondary stuff?

Kemba won't be played like that again. He needs to keep his confidence up and keep shooting.

I'd like to see a little more Grant.

thats how it works at the NBA.  This is why a guy like Tatum is important to have

Maybe, but it didnt work very well.
 
The Celtics finished the last 5:21 seconds of the game without making a field goal. Their only points were 2 FT's from Tatum, 2 FT's from Kemba, and 1 FT from Smart.

Isolation-heavy basketball usually isn't great even in crunch time, off-ball action should be run to attempt unlocking some easy looks.

Yet teams want someone who can make those tough iso shots. Why? Because sometimes that's the only shot that's there. Esp in the playoffs, teams play really good defense in the clutch.

Absolutely, but there are only so many players who can consistently make those tough shots in isolation and do tablesetting for their teammates, Tatum's not quite one of them. And even teams with those players run some off-ball action on the side to make life easier for their offensive centrepieces.

[CelticsPoetry]

Reading the Raptors forum on realGM, I saw some posters saying they want to fire Nurse and that Stevens ran circles around him and completely outcoached him. Interesting to see such takes in contrast with takes on here. I guess the grass is always greener right?

[ederson]

Jayson Tatum is the 3rd player in NBA history to lead both teams outright in points, rebounds and assists in a Game 7, joining LeBron James (2018 Conf. Finals) and Larry Bird (1984 Conf. Semis).

i find this extraordinary ... especially for a player still in his rookie dear

[gouki88]

Jayson Tatum is the 3rd player in NBA history to lead both teams outright in points, rebounds and assists in a Game 7, joining LeBron James (2018 Conf. Finals) and Larry Bird (1984 Conf. Semis).

i find this extraordinary ... especially for a player still in his rookie dear

Wow! That stats a bit of an eye-opener, especially considering he's a wing, and some here [dang] him for his passing, or lack thereof

[Surferdad]

Reading the Raptors forum on realGM, I saw some posters saying they want to fire Nurse and that Stevens ran circles around him and completely outcoached him. Interesting to see such takes in contrast with takes on here. I guess the grass is always greener right?

After this series, I'm convinced that Nurse is the better coach.  The pressure is definitely on Stevens this next series.

[jambr380]

Jayson Tatum is the 3rd player in NBA history to lead both teams outright in points, rebounds and assists in a Game 7, joining LeBron James (2018 Conf. Finals) and Larry Bird (1984 Conf. Semis).

i find this extraordinary ... especially for a player still in his rookie dear

Wow! That stats a bit of an eye-opener, especially considering he's a wing, and some here [dang] him for his passing, or lack thereof

Tatum wasn't perfect this series, but I think doubts about his passing ability should now be laid to rest. He consistently created great looks for other guys with some really advanced moves/passes. Crazy seeing him in the company of Bird, Lebron, and Kobe already.

[GreenFaith1819]

I think THIS man



Deserves some credit as well.

Kemba had 8 key points in the 4th quarter...Tatum and Brown were awesome, Smart was magnificent but Coach Stevens was the glue last night.

He coached one of the best in Nick Nurse to a standstill and made NO quirky substitutions. His bench inserts ALL contributed - whether it was Semi's 3 or Rob Williams rebounds OR Grant Williams' defense.

He KNEW his starters were still tired from Wednesday but kept them fresh for the final push.

One of his best performances, Coach Stevens. Give it up for the man.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Jaylen Brown's defense was as good as Smart's tonight. His offense was special too. Love that guy.

[gouki88]

Jaylen Brown's defense was as good as Smart's tonight. His offense was special too. Love that guy.

He absolutely owned Siakam the whole series. Their 'best player' (apparently) was a complete nonfactor