Thunder (20-41) at Celtics (32-29) Game #62 4/27/21

[ozgod]

The biggest problem with this team is that they let their poor offense affect their defense. 39% from the floor and 19% from 3 (4-22) and they forget to play defense, stop communicating etc. All starters other than Jaylen have shot 4-20 and 0-9 from 3. Smartacus has been particularly bad, usually happens when he feels like he has to become Steph Curry and shoot face up 3s because we are short players. We don't need Smart to become Steph, we just need him to be Smart and be smart with his [dang] shot selection.

But despite shooting terrible we're only down by 6 against a team that's lost 14 straight. If they tighten things up defensively in the 2nd half I think we've got a good chance of winning it.

[Kiorrik]

Brown gets mugged with no call ALL THE TIME.

I'ma keep banging that drum all season.

He can't buy a foul.

I've been banging that for 3 years!

Man, I've seen some really nasty looking rumours about why. They're all non-basketball-related.

I have seen one or two. They're pretty disgusting.

I'm trying to find sources again. Shoulda saved 'm. But it's been gnawing at the back of my mind.

Blergh. Making me dislike basketball again.

Anyway, that's for a different topic I suppose.

Let's go Celtics. We still got this. Just need to start knocking down some shots. Make a run. We're playing pretty decently on a bunch of our defensive possessions. Need more of that.

[liam]

C’s have 7 assists at the half. Pathetic. You bring Parker in for scoring and he has zero shot attempts... Smh

Nesmith the shooter has 0 shots as well.

Just a terrible scheme..Nesmith has not been used as he was in college at all.

He's usually just standing in the corner with no cutting. Brad needs more movement in his offense.

[tstorey_97]

Celtics FG 38.8% 3PT 4 for 22
OKC FG 43.9% 3PT 5 for 14

Benches
Celtics 52 minutes 23 points
OKC 50 minutes 21 points

Brown has 18 points
Pritchard has 17 points  -  together they are 12 for 20

The rest of the team is 7 for 29

Shooting can't get any worse, thus let's see if it can get better. You shoot 38% against any NBA team, you are going to be losing.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

the singlemindedness with which OKC pushes the ball and attacks the basket is something I wish we could see from the Celts more often.

The Celtics repeatedly amaze with me with how often they DON'T play basketball like everyone else. At every level I've ever watched or played, there are guys on every team who LOVE to push the basketball and attack the rim, and consistently do so.

But not with the Celtics. Not since IT was here. This team just LOVES settling for long jumpers.

[ozgod]

You know why Pritchard will get major playoff minutes as a rook?

It's his defense. Watch him carefully. He almost always makes the right switch. He is almost always in the right position. He is great at closing out threes. And he uses his body excellently in pushing drivers away from the basket when guarding them as they drive to the basket. His effort is nonstop.

Yes, due to athleticism, he does get blown by a bit too often, but that happens to all guards, Smart included.

Payton's offense has been awesome, but it's his defense that will be getting him more minutes.

Definitely. And it was when his defense was slipping and he was letting people get by him in the pick and roll that Stevens kept him on the bench for a number of games earlier in the season. It's those little things that many people don't notice.

[nickagneta]

You know why Pritchard will get major playoff minutes as a rook?

It's his defense. Watch him carefully. He almost always makes the right switch. He is almost always in the right position. He is great at closing out threes. And he uses his body excellently in pushing drivers away from the basket when guarding them as they drive to the basket. His effort is nonstop.

Yes, due to athleticism, he does get blown by a bit too often, but that happens to all guards, Smart included.

Payton's offense has been awesome, but it's his defense that will be getting him more minutes.

It's because he plays hard every minute he's on the court. I've been surprised by his defense since the beginning of the year. That's the one thing that I thought would hold him back but he's solid.

It's not the effort, although his effort is great. It's his BBIQ. He's learned the system and seldom is making mistakes in that system. You can play hard, but if you don't play smart and in the system, you're going to be a bad defender.

[footey]

Brown gets mugged with no call ALL THE TIME.

I'ma keep banging that drum all season.

He can't buy a foul.

I've been banging that for 3 years!

Man, I've seen some really nasty looking rumours about why. They're all non-basketball-related.

Like what??

[Kiorrik]

You know why Pritchard will get major playoff minutes as a rook?

It's his defense. Watch him carefully. He almost always makes the right switch. He is almost always in the right position. He is great at closing out threes. And he uses his body excellently in pushing drivers away from the basket when guarding them as they drive to the basket. His effort is nonstop.

Yes, due to athleticism, he does get blown by a bit too often, but that happens to all guards, Smart included.

Payton's offense has been awesome, but it's his defense that will be getting him more minutes.

Definitely. And it was when his defense was slipping and he was letting people get by him in the pick and roll that Stevens kept him on the bench for a number of games earlier in the season. It's those little things that many people don't notice.

His biggest flaw right now is his picking up his dribble in the middle of the key and going "oh dang. where've I got myself into this time."

Other than that and the occasional turnover, I love his play. My favourite Celtic other than RW to watch right now. (Followed by Brown and Smart!)

[liam]

Play Tacko in a zone D coming out in the 3rd.

[liam]

You know why Pritchard will get major playoff minutes as a rook?

It's his defense. Watch him carefully. He almost always makes the right switch. He is almost always in the right position. He is great at closing out threes. And he uses his body excellently in pushing drivers away from the basket when guarding them as they drive to the basket. His effort is nonstop.

Yes, due to athleticism, he does get blown by a bit too often, but that happens to all guards, Smart included.

Payton's offense has been awesome, but it's his defense that will be getting him more minutes.

Definitely. And it was when his defense was slipping and he was letting people get by him in the pick and roll that Stevens kept him on the bench for a number of games earlier in the season. It's those little things that many people don't notice.

His biggest flaw right now is his picking up his dribble in the middle of the key and going "oh dang. where've I got myself into this time."

Other than that and the occasional turnover, I love his play. My favourite Celtic other than RW to watch right now. (Followed by Brown and Smart!)

He needs to keep his dribble alive and make quicker decisions. I think his assists tonight would be good if anyone could shoot.

[SCeltic34]

Uh, that's a travel.

[jpotter33]

That is such a blatant walk. Refs are ridiculous.

[Kiorrik]

You know why Pritchard will get major playoff minutes as a rook?

It's his defense. Watch him carefully. He almost always makes the right switch. He is almost always in the right position. He is great at closing out threes. And he uses his body excellently in pushing drivers away from the basket when guarding them as they drive to the basket. His effort is nonstop.

Yes, due to athleticism, he does get blown by a bit too often, but that happens to all guards, Smart included.

Payton's offense has been awesome, but it's his defense that will be getting him more minutes.

Definitely. And it was when his defense was slipping and he was letting people get by him in the pick and roll that Stevens kept him on the bench for a number of games earlier in the season. It's those little things that many people don't notice.

His biggest flaw right now is his picking up his dribble in the middle of the key and going "oh dang. where've I got myself into this time."

Other than that and the occasional turnover, I love his play. My favourite Celtic other than RW to watch right now. (Followed by Brown and Smart!)

He needs to keep his dribble alive and make quicker decisions. I think his assists tonight would be good if anyone could shoot.

I actually don't mind our play on offense too much.

You know how Trae Young, Luka Doncic, Steph Curry, etc all make these stupidly hard shots look super easy?

We do the exact opposite.

We make the easiest shots look like they're unmakeable.

[liam]

THESE REFS SUCK!!!